AN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Children

As the OECD 2021 Building Capacity for Inclusive Teaching project points out, our school environments have become increasingly diverse places where students from various backgrounds share their learning and personal experiences. An inclusive education that offers a quality education for all must therefore respect diversity and the different needs and abilities, characteristics and learning expectations of students and their families. We need to support the learning and wellbeing outcomes of all students by valuing their unique identities and needs.

Inclusive teaching practices give particular attention to pedagogy or the use of different approaches to teaching, the curriculum and the nature of assessment. Teachers are aware of the different needs of students within their classes and hence will differentiate or make adjustments in their teaching. The objective of teachers is to find ways that will engage all students in the classroom and to assess students in ways that will enable them to show their understanding.

As educators, we can demonstrate inclusiveness through pedagogy or approaches to teaching, curriculum and assessment which engages students in learning that is meaningful, relevant, culturally appropriate and accessible. There is also another important element of inclusiveness which gives attention to enabling all students to feel a sense of belonging to the school rather than feeling marginalised and isolated.

• Our year level cohorts are made up of students who are a microcosm of the diverse society in which we live. Their cultural diversity is observable, but perhaps less observable is the diversity of learning and wellbeing needs, the different ways in which our students define and describe their family unit or the way in which individual students identify themselves. Each student is accepted and valued as an individual and each will make a contribution to our School.

• Our Assemblies are student focused and we hear their voices, celebrate their achievements and listen to what they have to say about a broad range of topics.

• Our various co-curricular opportunities and clubs are broad and varied because our girls have a wide range of interests and talents.

• Our Community Service activities create opportunities for our students to go out into the broader community and listen to the stories of people from diverse backgrounds. There is a focus on developing empathy and understanding for those individuals whose lives are often impacted by the community in which they live.

• Activities such as House events and Year Level activities are designed to promote inclusiveness. We expect that every student participates in these events and makes their personal contribution. We observe our students acknowledging and encouraging their peers because they are brave enough to participate and try.