Term Two has got off to a fabulous start with students settling into their learning and embracing the wonderful opportunities being at the ASMS affords them.
At the ASMS, supporting our students to develop and have agency in their learning is a priority. This is much more than voice and choice. It is about our students having a sense of responsibility for their learning supported through their understanding how to learn, setting goals for their learning and adjusting in response to experiences. Agency at the ASMS strives to support our students to take action in relation to their learning. For some of our students this can be unsettling at first as they adjust to these expectations in their new school. Teachers work with students to support their development of agency in the Learning Studies program and in the way learning is designed in Central Studies and Year 12.
Our Thursday afternoon Passion Project time is another opportunity for students to learn how to take control and make decisions about what and how they learn. Teachers work with students during this time to identify their learning goal and put in place their plans to achieve this during the term. Exciting examples of Passion Projects include designing and making an electronic keyboard; making clay sculptures for our community garden and teaching themselves a new language. A well-developed sense of agency can help a learner address challenges and overcome adversity, develop identity and sense of belonging and builds a growth mindset. Our vision is for ASMS graduates to be well prepared to positively influence their own life and the world around them through their development of agency.
South Australia is fortunate in that there are currently no community transmission of COVID-19 in our state, however it’s important we remain prepared to respond to the fast-changing nature of the pandemic. Recent outbreaks in other parts of Australia highlight the importance of remaining prepared. The Department for Education will continue to follow the advice from SA Health and Directions set by SAPOL. Students are able to see what learning is planned for the upcoming few weeks, this aims to support them to keep up to date should they be unable to come into school at any stage.