What do our students need to thrive in today’s and tomorrow’s world? What is the learning that matters and how do we foster a culture where rich and dynamic learning is central to all that we do at Good Shepherd?

These two key questions guide our thinking, our teaching and our learning at Good Shepherd. The learning that matters provides us with a lens for viewing all that we do as we plan and deliver learning experiences that are intentionally aimed at building educational success and preparing our students for life in the 21st Century.

The Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School Curriculum focuses on six key areas of learning:

• Academic Learning – preparing students for lifelong learning.
• Creative Learning – adding to the richness and diversity of learning.
• Technological Learning – utilising technologies to enhance learning.
• Wellbeing Learning – living well and relating with others.
• Global Learning – engaging students with the world around them.
• Spiritual Learning – learning to live in God’s love.

21st Century Learning Skills

The development of 21^st Century Learning Skills is seen as essential to teaching and learning at Good Shepherd. The Learning That Matters at Good Shepherd describes the skills, knowledge and expertise students must master to succeed in work and life.

To thrive in a global community, a Good Shepherd learner needs to be:

• A critical thinker
• A problem solver
• A highly effective communicator
• A collaborator
• An innovator
• Globally and environmentally aware
• Civically engaged
• A self-directed learner
• Technologically and media literate
• Creative
• Self-aware (socially, emotionally, physically)
• Financially and economically literate
• Committed to a personal Christian spirituality

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a key 21^st Century learning skill. Critical thinking has a major impact on many other areas of learning. The ability to think critically is key to learning at a rich and deep level. Critical thinkers look at problems and challenges in new ways, linking learning across subjects and disciplines. Critical thinkers effectively analyse and evaluate evidence and alternative points of view. They synthesise, make connections and reflect critically on learning experiences and processes. Critical thinkers solve unfamiliar problems in both conventional and innovative ways.

Collaboration

Collaboration is an essential 21^st Century learning skill. Collaborative learners demonstrate the ability to work effectively and respectfully with others. They exercise flexibility and value the contributions of individual team members. Working collaboratively generates a higher level of creativity, enhances problem solving capacity and is a key ingredient to success in today’s global society.

Creativity

Creativity and innovation are increasingly being recognised as skills that prepare students for a complex life and work environment. Creative learners elaborate, refine, analyse and evaluate their own ideas in order to improve and maximise their creative efforts. Creative learners use a range of techniques to develop new and worthwhile ideas and are open and responsive to develop new and diverse perspectives. Creative learners demonstrate originality and inventiveness.

Communication

The capacity to articulate and share thoughts, questions and solutions effectively, using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills is essential for success in the 21^st Century. Highly capable communicators listen effectively to decipher meaning and use communication effectively for a range of purposes and in diverse environments. Advanced communication skills are key to learning and working in collaborative environments.