What kind of a mindset do you have?
In this understanding, lifelong learning is not merely learning beyond school, throughout life, but also learning about life and for life. Lifelong learning is learning that develops lives and shapes the world. The lifelong learner is one who has initiative, is a problem solver, is creative and innovative in making the most of life chances, and contributes to the greater good. (Hargreaves and Shirley, p. 84, The Fourth Way.)
I feel that the above quotation perfectly sums up what skills a lifelong learner gains throughout his or her educational journey. I hope this year that we are all lifelong learners within the Junior school and will look at all subjects/experiences with a growth mindset because we will be presented with many opportunities that will shape our educational journey in Willow.
21st century schools should provide events/lessons in which the skills of creativity, innovation, intellectual agility, teamwork, problem solving, flexibility and adaptability to change are all experienced by the learning community. However, 21st century schools must also embrace deeper virtues such as courage, compassion, kindness, service, sacrifice, long-term commitment and perseverance. Therefore I ask all of the boys, parents, teachers and staff of Willow Park Junior School to seriously think about and engage this year with the following three questions –
1. Do you have a passion?
2. Are you good at it, or can you become so?
3. Does it serve a compelling social need?
We only have to look at the end of the school year to witness a resounding yes to all three questions presented above. The Guinness ‘Pat on the Back’ World Record attempt required a tremendous amount of organisation and assistance from Mr. Eddie Barron, his committee of volunteers and Mr. Cormac McAleer and the staff of the Junior school. This passion for attempting the World Record transmitted itself to the boys in the school and after a number of efforts we successfully broke the World Record by a substantial amount. More importantly we raised considerable funds for the charity ‘Dogs for the Disabled’.
It is widely known that if your answer to all three questions is ‘Yes’, then you will experience absolute joy. As Principal this was the emotion I experienced when Mr. Eddie Barron presented me with the framed certificate declaring that our school are indeed World Record holders. Thank you to all within the Willow community for providing all of us with an example of lifelong learners with growth mindsets working together for the greater good.
Principal’s Note – I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new boys and families who have started in the Junior school. You are all now part of the Willow family and I wish you every success this year.