2020 is Aotearoa’s year of lifelong learning. Me ako inaianei - Learning Now! We have high expectations for learning through our early childhood and school years but how does our thinking change as we move through life? Are you a lifelong learner?

Lifelong learning can enhance our understanding and appreciation of the world around us, develop us personally, professionally and improve our wellbeing. Self-confidence, brain health, positivity, sleep quality and general health are all benefits for the lifelong learner.

Ako means to both teach and learn. We refer to ako frequently in education to encourage both teachers and students to learn through interactions and shared experiences. Ako is also alive in families where young people lead parents in some learning situations e.g. use of devices, while parents lead through experience and wisdom. Intergenerational learning where generations study together not only results in the growth of skills, values and knowledge but also builds social cohesion.

Compared to other OECD countries, New Zealanders are good lifelong learners. Workers aged 25-64 are third most likely (after Finland and Denmark) to take some form of education or training. Our retirees are another a group who engage in learning as demonstrated by our T3A group who meet at St Margaret’s weekly to develop their I.T skills with Audrey Campbell and Linda Chong (see Learning Out and About in this newsletter).

The recent publication, St Margaret’s College 110 Empowered Women provides inspirational stories of women of all ages learning through life. Take the opportunity to read this beautiful book and learn from their experiences. Being a lifelong learner is also one of ten SMC Graduate Profile attributes we aim for our students to develop throughout SMC.

What are you learning or might you wish to learn? Be a lifelong learner! Me ako inaianei - Learn Now!

Jennie Nairn