Our Lady of Fatima – an innovative school

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19 October 2017Image 1 - Front cover of 'The Educator' featuring a student from Our Lady of Fatima, Rosebud. Image 2 - Students from Our Lady of Fatima, Rosebud. Image 3 - Students from Lady of Fatima, Rosebud.

Our Lady of Fatima School, Rosebud, has been included on The Educator’s third annual Innovative Schools report – a list of Australia’s most progressive and forward-thinking schools.
 

Our Lady of Fatima School was recognised for its introduction of alternative learning spaces and approaches, in order to meet a wide range of educational and social emotional needs.

In a renovation in January, ‘The Hub’ was created. It’s a centrally located resource centre that includes five zones and features pedal desks, foot and hand cycles, bouncy bands, a sensory wall, varied furnishings, fiddle toys, punching bags, timers and a range of furniture and configurations to suit many different teaching situations.

Its ‘Take a Break’ room is available for students with anxiety or Autism Spectrum Disorder who require short breaks from the classroom. In this space, they can reset and self-regulate their heightened emotion before returning to class.

Principal Monica Coyle said, ‘The idea for The Hub grew out of a need to provide differentiated support for all students. It has become a wonderful resource providing students with the opportunity to grow their academic and social–emotional learning in a highly versatile and attractive space. It delivers intervention and extension programs through scheduled teaching sessions and also at point-of-need every day’.

Another zone in The Hub has been designed to foster social–emotional learning through a structured program of games and fun play for those who have difficulty reading social cues, using social language and understanding give and take of social play, such as the practice of turn taking, sharing and compromise.

Elsewhere, an exciting Robotics program is offered within The Hub, while extension classes in Mathematics are meeting the needs of high achievers. Despite having only been in operation for two terms, The Hub is already highly valued.

The Educator’s Innovative Schools report showcases the top 40 schools in Australia that have shown commitment and demonstrated leadership in change and innovation over the past 12 months.

Mrs Coyle added, ‘It is really affirming to see this work recognised with the Innovative Schools award’.