Aspiring to be Bold Thinkers

The Aspire (Gifted and Talented) Program in Junior School has commenced with all classes participating in a ‘jump off’ Critical and Creative Thinking lesson.

The IB Learner Profile asks students to develop their capacity as risk-takers and thinkers. Our Junior School students were presented with a range of provocations aimed at encouraging them to make inferences, explore new ideas, and create innovative strategies.

Our younger learners in K-2 enjoyed a shared reading of ‘All the ways to be smart ’ by Davina Bell. Inspired by this engaging book, students reflected on the many contexts and applications of ability and reflected on their own personal strengths. They also demonstrated their creativity by participating in the ‘Treasure Box’ drama game – a task which required them to decide upon a unique way of representing a special item.

In Years 3 – 6, students ideated upon the concept of ‘the fun theory’, identifying ways in which humans are motivated to engage in enjoyable activities. They also participated in a shared reading of ‘What do you do with an idea? ’ by Kobi Yamada, discussing the various ways that ideas can be nurtured and developed. Finally, our older students became design thinkers, engineering a collaborative solution to complete a ‘cup stacking’ challenge.

‘Ideas are always at the back of our minds, but we have to choose to notice them and give them attention. That’s how they grow’. Zoen, 6B.

A key focus of the Aspire Program is to encourage students to think critically and creatively about the complexities of contemporary society, its challenges and opportunities. By participating in a broad range of learning experiences, our students will face the future equipped with problem-solving skills, the capacity to clearly communicate their thinking, and confidence.

Susanna Matters Gifted & Talented Coordinator