Stuartholme is planning to explore further innovative practices through the alignment of its Strategic Vision 2024-2027, emphasising educational innovation and transforming the ‘traditional’ school day as critical pillars.
Stuartholme School is an independent Catholic day and boarding school for girls in Years 5 to 12.
Grounded in the Sacred Heart values established by our founder, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, the Pedagogical Framework provides teaching and learning principles that help teachers articulate the practices required to achieve our graduate vision. This framework defines what a Stuartholme classroom looks like in practice, promoting consistency, dynamic practice, and excellence. This shared understanding and common language form the foundation for student success.
In 2024, Stuartholme introduced the Junior School, marking a significant milestone in its history. With only 100 students in Years 5 and 6, Stuartholme offers a distinctive opportunity for these students to receive an education tailored to their individual needs. Stuartholme has been commended for its innovative approach to learning environment in the Australian Education Awards, earning recognition as an Excellence Awardee for Innovation in Learning Environment Design, marking a commitment to educating and empowering young women to thrive in all facets of life.
The OECD’s ‘Trends Shaping Education’ series highlights the fast-changing trends and unexpected events that encourage dialogue about reformed scenarios for the future of schooling. With the current schooling systems established during the industrial society, there is growing debate on whether these models will continue to persist in the future (OECD, 2022).
Current research in student wellbeing emphasises the importance of understanding student behaviour to shape the school day effectively. It acknowledges that students have differing peak learning times, generally experiencing two peak learning periods each day. Furthermore, research supports increasing self-efficacy by identifying learning strengths and using this as the basis for differentiation and parent meetings (Fuller, 2022).
These international educational trends are shaping dynamic models, influencing how schools innovate in this space. Stuartholme is encouraged by the commonalities among these models, such as their grounding in a clear pedagogical framework, flexibility, engagement in collaborative learning, and promotion of increasing independence and autonomy (Benner, 2017; OECD, 2022; Melbourne Girls’ Grammar, 2023; Thompson, 2023).
Stuartholme plans to explore further innovative practices through the alignment of its Strategic Vision 2024-2027, emphasising educational innovation and transforming the ‘traditional’ school day as critical pillars. This strategic vision focuses on the attributes a Stuartholme graduate will exhibit: courage, compassion, and confidence to be agents of transformation in their own lives and the lives of others.
Creating a Stuartholme classroom that embodies the values of a Sacred Heart education provides our graduates with the foundation to be collaborative, critical, and creative thinkers and leaders who demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges. Our founder, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, emphasised the importance of searching for meaning and truth using both mind and heart.
Highly qualified teachers and professional staff who are experts in their fields are critical in enhancing this environment. This was recently recognised as the school was awarded the 5-star Employee of Choice, highlighting its commitment to empowering both staff and students. Staff challenge and encourage students to become independent, critical thinkers, equipping them with the confidence to actively participate in their learning journeys. Under the guidance of Daniel Crump, the 19th Principal, Stuartholme benefits from innovative leadership and transformational change.
Committed to empowering individual strengths, Stuartholme prepares students to make a positive impact on the world. Through its rich heritage, dedicated educators, strong boarding community, and idyllic location, Stuartholme provides a transformative educational experience that equips students with the skills and confidence to excel in all aspects of life.
As we take bold strides towards the future and re-imagine schooling through dynamic practice, we are confident that our approach brings this core purpose to life in a modern context.
References
Benner, M. and Partelow, L. (2017) Reimagining the School Day, retrieved from: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/reimagining-the-school-day/
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2022), trends Shaping Education, retrieved from: https://www.oecd.org/education/trends-shaping-education-22187049.htm
Melbourne Girls Grammar (2023), Senior Years – Shape of the Day: retrieved from: https://www.mggs.vic.edu.au/learning/student-programs/senior-years
Thompson, ll. (2023) To ATAR or not to ATAR? This WA school says that’s not the question, retrieved from: https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/to-atar-or-not-to-atar-this-wa-school-says-that-s-not-the-question-20230210-p5cjnt.html
Fuller, A. (2022), Increasing Wellbeing – Big Impact Strategies for Wellbeing Leaders in Schools, retrieved from: https://www.mylearningstrengths.com/
