The question of what makes a good school now is as relevant as ever.
Eleven years ago, Berwick Lodge Primary School Principal Henry Grossek wrote an opinion piece on the topic.
“In that piece I argued that the NAPLAN tests were but one aspect, albeit of importance, by which schools should be judged,” he said.
“I went on to argue that we were in danger of overemphasising their importance, what with league tables of school results becoming ever more present in the media.
“Judgement of schools was becoming very focused on NAPLAN results and indeed, schools were finding it increasingly difficult to resist the temptation to ‘teach to the tests’ so to speak.”
Mr Grossek says there is much more to the education schools should provide their students than English and mathematics, important as they are.
“The pandemic conditions in which we find ourselves, increasingly as time has passed, has highlighted that fact,” he said.
“Some 18 months ago, at the beginning of remote learning for students, a time span which seems so much longer in these surreal times, our focus was almost entirely centred on the impact of the pandemic on students’ academic learning.
“With the passage of time our concern for our children has broadened quite dramatically in emphasis.”
Mr Grossek says student wellbeing is a major focus.
“This is reflected in the remote learning programs offered by schools and the manner in which they are delivered.
“That is as it should be – student learning should be holistic, and in being so, all aspects recognised for their importance in the total development of children.”
