Reflective Practice
A key aspect of learning is taking the time to reflect on the progress made and the steps taken to get there. This reflection allows a learner to take stock of where they are on their learning journey, giving them an invaluable insight into what the next steps might look like. In fact, the act of reflecting and making adjustments is central to the learning process and, as such, is enshrined in our Learning Principles. Specifically, one of our ten learning principles states, “Learners think and act upon their learning”; this is because we know that “learners need opportunities to develop strategies to plan, monitor, reflect and make adjustments to learning as needed.” This is why our teachers will routinely ask students to reflect upon their learning, their actions and their choices. It is also why we apply reflective practice to our own work as teachers, learners, colleagues and community members.
Each year, our teachers and Early Years Practitioners (or EYPs) take the time to reflect upon their practice and their personal professional growth goals. To do this, the teachers and EYPs write reflective notes across five strands:
Ensuring Learning Occurs
Responding to ISA & Personal Initiatives
Team Teaching
ISA Community Member
Lifelong Learner
At the end of this process, they will then each meet with the school principal (Morio Kajiwara) or assistant principal (Paul Bertolotto) for a debriefing session. Not only does this give every teacher and EYP the chance to receive specific feedback on their achievements and progress over the year, it allows us all the space and time to incorporate a key part of the learning process into our own calendars. These sessions, like the opportunities for reflection that we offer our students, prime us for taking the next steps in improving our professional practice. Over the next few weeks, each of the teachers and EYPs will have the chance to take the lead role in these reflective conversations - something that I always look forward to.
Over the course of the past four days, we have been lucky to host representatives from CIS (Council of International Schools) and MSA (Middles States Association). They visited the school as part of our accreditation process. A key part of the process is that we reflect upon who we say we are and what we say we do - and how well that matches up with who we actually are and what we actually do. Are we living up to the standards that we have set for ourselves? Will our values, approaches and procedures support each of us in the community in our collective mission to become lifelong learners and socially responsible, active global citizens? Our two visitors have spent the week in discussions with teachers, staff, parents, students (from Preschool to Grade 11) and the leadership team, as part of a preparatory visit; the main part of the accreditation process will take place towards the end of 2024.
Seussical Kids (May 14 & 15)
Another wee reminder that the Grade 4-5 production of Seussical Kids will be performed on Tuesday, May 14 (4:30pm) and Wednesday, May 15 (6:00pm). We would love to see everyone there to support our student performers. Bookings are now OPEN. Performances are in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets are free, but please follow the link on PowerSchool to save your seats (non-reserved). If you have any questions about booking non-reserved seats, please get in touch with Diane McBain (dmcbain@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk).
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