I often get asked about how our learning spaces positively impact student achievement and wellbeing? In the next few news bulletins, we will demystify and share insights about how our learning spaces work and why.

Back in the day, a classroom was a classroom, but schools across NZ and the world look very different from when we were at school.

Learning spaces are designed based on current understanding of learning and what supports are needed. You might hear them referred to as Innovative Learning Environments (ILE), Modern Learning Environments (MLE), or Flexible Learning Environments (FLE). Different researchers and schools may apply different nuanced interpretations to the terms, but generally they are interchangeable.The ‘learning environment’ in the terms ILE, MLE and FLE, refers to the whole of how learning is organised for a group of learners in a given context and at a given time; all the aspects of a school environment that influence learning. It indicates approaches to teaching, social considerations, spatial design, furniture, materials and tools, social roles, learning goals and activities.

ILEs are not to be confused with the open-plan environments in vogue in the 1970s and 1980s. The spatial set up and the teaching philosophy was vastly different. One of the key differences between open plan and flexible space (that we have at SBS) is the connections the student have with their teacher - we know that students thrive when they have one significant adult to lead their learning - this was not how open plan spaces worked, leading to constrain on potential for learning and teaching.

At SBS, the spatial configuration, particularly its openness and flexibility, create a learner centred space, this coupled with new technologies have facilitated a shift from older teacher-led, traditional methods to the personalisation of student-centred and inclusive approaches in which all students are involved in educational activities in a way that meets their individual needs.

Walk into most New Zealand classrooms, they will look quite different from the school you were educated in. In the same way that when you walk into a doctor’s or dentist’s surgery, you hope they’re not using approaches and technologies from 20 years ago, educational architecture has had to change with the times.

Why is the design of classrooms changing? The New Zealand curriculum has changed significantly over the past two decades, emphasising disposition and capabilities alongside knowledge and skills. Now, a student’s ability to problem-solve, be creative, work collaboratively and show resilience are just as important in the curriculum as their ability to remember information, follow instructions or complete tasks. As a result, classrooms are now much more interactive places, providing students with the opportunity to learn new things and put that learning into action through investigations, inquiries and real-world problem-solving.

In the same way that classroom spaces have responded to changing curriculum demands, they have also responded to research into how the physical environment can best support deep learning. Far from being simply a benign container for learning, the physical environment can directly impact student learning for better or worse. For example, Barrett & Zhang (2015) research found that “differences in the physical characteristics of classrooms explain 16% of the variation in learning progress over a year.” In short: when the physical environment gives teachers the tools they need to do their job better, student learning benefits.

The body of research literature is clear that a change in spatial design alone will not achieve this shift in and of itself. Over the past two years, SBS teachers have been developing their skills to ensure that we can optimise learning in every space across the school, after all, it is what teachers do with the rooms that count. 

REMINDER! School Picnic - Friday 25 Feb, 4 to 6pm

Our first community event is the annual school picnic that will take place after school on Friday 25 February.

A school picnic is an informal event, held on the field. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket and some nibbles and enjoy getting to know each other while the children have a play.

If you are new to Stanley Bay this is a great way to meet other families, and if you are an existing family, what a great way to catch up! We look forward to seeing you all there.

As this is a non-curriculum related event the general rules for gathering apply, this means to attend the picnic you will be required to present your vaccine passport, scan the QR Code, wear a mask and observe social distancing of 1m. 

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)

Our students will participate in education outside the classroom next week as part of our Physical Education and Health Curriculum. EOTC offers students hands-on experiences that are not available inside the school. We hope that the week ahead gives them an exciting learning opportunity to practice being a risk-taker, resilient, collaborators and problem solvers...and have a lot of fun on the way.

The Years 0-2 team will be having a ‘fun day’ where they will participate in team-building challenges, ‘campfire’ singing, art activities in tents, making Smores for eating, team games and swimming.

The Year 3-4 students have an action-packed three days of EOTC activities. One day will be a localised walk around the local area, visiting the Cambria museum, a guest speaker teaching about local history. A second day at Lake Pupuke (with qualified instructors), having a go at stand up paddleboarding, canoeing and raft building. The third day is at Birkenhead Leisure Centre, where the students will be challenged on the rock wall and competing in a set of team-building challenges. Tired children guaranteed

The Years 5-6 will be staying at Camp Adair in the Hunua Ranges. They will have a go at a wide range of activities during their stay, including orienteering, vertical centipede, the leap of faith, trapeze, Super fox, Flying Kiwi, crate stack, and car cargo net, fire lighting and the confidence course, to name a few. This is their first experience of being away from home for many students. What great adventurers they will have, camp is a real highlight for all students and our parents!We look forward to sharing EOTC sound bites in the next news bulletin.

Thank you to all our EOTC parent helpers, your offers of help are very much appreciated. 

Noho ora mai 

Lucy Naylor 
Tumuaki / Principal

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