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FROM MOTIVATION TO MASTERY The Art of Inspiring Teaching

Dr Briony Scott Principal

We all remember a teacher, either in school or elsewhere, who fostered our passion for learning, who ignited our curiosity, who made us want to go above and beyond, and to learn more. Good teaching is not just about imparting knowledge or working towards an assessment – it’s about inspiring students to be curious, to think for themselves, to persist in the face of failure, to appreciate that true mastery takes time and effort, and that the motivation for true learning is intrinsic and has little to do with external recognition.

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This is equally so for teachers. From constantly expanding their knowledge, to using innovative teaching methods and building strong connections with students, amazing educators show us that teaching is not just a job – it’s a calling.

Endless Learning

Our Wenona staff are responsible for creating a learning culture that is alive and growing. This is only possible if they are actively involved in learning, appreciating the challenges of “failing”, of actively challenging their skill set, and proactively developing their expertise. Professional development at Wenona, underpinned by the Wenona Improvement Cycle and featuring generous Fellowships, Seeding Grants, and Study Grants, is effectively a “parallel school”. We have an unashamedly high-performance culture, are proud of our staff’s dedication, and continue to be inspired by their professional growth.

Experiences and Perspectives

The latest instalment of Upon Reflection sheds light on this staff learning culture. You’ll find stories of professional journeys that reflect our commitment to growth and development. Examples include following our Head of Visual Arts, Ms Michele Brennan’s odyssey to the birthplace of the Renaissance – Florence, to learn about a classical art style that is now providing our Visual Arts students with a rare skill. On a trip to Finland and Europe, Ms Kimberley Peck gained an understanding of the strategies behind Finnish students’ high happiness levels and academic results.

Staff also contribute to a body of knowledge beyond our School, and to the profession more broadly. From Ms Samantha McFetridge’s published educational insights, to Mr Pete Fahey’s blueprint for the effortless navigation of our buildings, and from Mr Theodore Carroll’s efforts to elevate the Independent Theatre, to our Australian Independent Schools Grant team, who are on a mission to revolutionise literacy teaching, and pioneer new methods of educator evaluation with widespread application.

I commend this issue of Upon Reflection to you as a snapshot of the rich learning experiences and commitment of Wenona staff to both our School community and to the education profession.

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