St Mary’s Cathedral College is embarking on a new Liberal Arts approach. Part of its support for the learning and wellbeing of our students is the formation of the Phronesis Program, which will launch in May 2023.
Based on the Greek ideal of Phronesis or ‘applied wisdom’, the Phronesis Program is a Catholic, whole-school pastoral approach that identifies the key areas for student wellbeing and learning, leading to students flourishing within a Liberal Arts culture.
Students will consider various practical wisdoms developed through thematic modules enabling them to:
- understand the power within their personal choices, increasing their own Learner Agency
- develop resilient mindsets balanced through reflective Personal Habits
- build confidence and leadership within Active Citizenship
- form courage and accountability through Applied Ethics
- reinforce depth of spiritual connection with Aesthetic Appreciation
“As the basis for the Wellbeing and Service component of College life, the Phronesis Program educates students on HOW to live a ‘full life’ that both thrives and inspires,” said Belinda VanderGert, Dean of Liberal Arts.
As part of the overarching Phronesis Program, St Mary’s offers a Habits of Thinking course which is linked to both the Learner Agency and Personal Habits modules.
The Habits of Thinking course underpins the school’s modern Liberal Arts approach to learning, and innovative curriculum that is designed to challenge and inspire our students.
“With a strong focus on character development and a growth mindset, students enrich their critical thinking skills and understanding of the world through the lens of psychology and thinking habits,” said Ms VanderGert.
“With a phased approach for the Year 9 and 10 students, the course prioritises character formation through critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving skills with a diverse range of subjects and intellectual experiences.”
Beinda VanderGert, Dean of Liberal Arts
The Year 9 Habits of Thinking course is aimed at developing an understanding of the adolescent brain and how this directly impacts how an adolescent thinks, feels and acts.
In Term 1, students examine the development of the brain through to adolescence and how this differs from an adult brain. They explore addiction and how this can especially affect an adolescent.
Term 2 will see a focus on getting to know themselves as a learner. This includes how to read their own assessment data, how to identify gaps in this data and looking at techniques to develop and improve on these learning opportunities.
Subsequently, this course offers an emphasis on reinforcing the learning habits that make a difference and lead to student growth. Students learn how to approach an assessment task, how to use feedback and strategically make choices to improve their results.
“Terms 3 and 4 will focus on relationships. What are meaningful relationships in the life of an adolescent and issues related to relationships such as peer pressure, consent & respectful relationships,” said Ms VanderGert.
The Year 10 Habits of Thinking Course is aimed at developing understanding of the HSC and beyond.
Students have completed a Morrisby profile, which examines their strengths, aptitudes, interests and personality traits and links these to possible careers.
Highlighting goal-setting for good habits of learning and study, Term 2 will mark the beginning of the Subject selection process, which kicks-off with the Student Academic coaching program.
This specific program will see each student meet with a teacher face to face to delve deeper into their learning and strengths.
“For the final phase of Terms 1 and 2, the program provides the opportunity to engage with professionals from a cross section of industries, who collaboratively contribute to classes as guest speakers” said Ms VanderGert.
“Students are not only provided with an insight into various professions, but also each guest’s learning journey, strategies to embrace challenges, and how they got to where they are today.”
Each phase of the Habits of Thinking course focuses on developing ‘good character’, and leads into the Stage 6 Year 11 and 12 program where effective habitual practices of high achieving HSC students are modelled and adopted, creating a vibrant, deep and reflective HSC learning culture.
Through the Phronesis Program, St Mary’s Cathedral College has a strong focus on character formation leading to students flourishing through the lens of the Liberal Arts.
We are enrolling now for Years 3-6 2024 and Year 7 2025. Contact us for more information and find out how a St Mary’s education can benefit your son.