Diversity Dash 2022
Barbreck Classrooms Best for Learners
In October, The Sydney Morning Herald published results of a Parliamentary Inquiry into NSW school infrastructure, criticising the use of open plan classrooms. Open plan classrooms are those designed as a large, modern, or flexible open space which often combine up to four classes working at the same time in the one space with “no distinct front of classroom.”
The Inquiry Report stated that these classrooms encouraged “fad” teaching methods, with little evidence to support that open classrooms led to improved academic outcomes. The Report also noted that children trying to learn in these spaces found it difficult to hear and concentrate – often distracted by other students and teachers working in different parts of the space.
The NSW Government is now spending billions of dollars on rectifying these classrooms, recommending classroom designs that foster “the use of direct or explicit instruction teaching methods for the proven benefit of students.”
The Education Committee Chair, the Honourable Mark Latham MLC, stated, “How teachers teach is the key determinant of student results.”
It is interesting to note that many of Victoria’s state and independent schools also use open plan classrooms.
At Barbreck, our classrooms are designed for one class only. We advocate and use the Explicit Teaching Model. Our experience, and the results of our girls when compared to that of Victoria, and more broadly across Australia, concur with the recommendations of the Inquiry – explicit teaching in the classroom is proven to benefit student learning best!
Barbreck Diversity Dash Tuesday, 29 November
At Barbreck we acknowledge we all have much in common, and it is our differences that make us unique individuals.
On Tuesday 29 November, the Barbreck girls have been invited to participate in a Diversity Dash to celebrate the many diverse qualities that make us unique and appreciate that we live in a world of diverse people.
Diversity comes in many forms including cultural, ethnic, religious, age, gender, and disability, just to name a few. In the link below, you will find all the information needed for the girls to participate. The link explains the use of chalk powder and the need for girls to wear white on the day – Big W is selling white t-shirts for $1.13 for those families interested.
This will be a special and colourful day on our Barbreck calendar. I hope as many girls as possible can participate – it should be a lot of fun!
