Blog

In the dynamic landscape of education, preparing students for life after high school goes beyond traditional academics. One crucial aspect, often overlooked, is equipping students with the essential skill of self-advocacy. Led by Fiona Wines, head of senior school and deputy principal, this blog delves into the essence of self-advocacy for high school students, why it's important, and how parents and educators can support students in learning to advocate for themselves. The foundation of self…

Free unstructured play is one of the cornerstones of emotional, physical, social and cognitive child development. Play is important for children in countless areas of early development, such as language, social skills, problem solving, creativity and motor skills. In this article, Naomi Linssen, Deputy Head of Wardle House at Toorak College, examines why play is an opportunity for children to learn essential life skills early in their lives. Growing through social emotional learning As a…

In response to the dynamic educational landscape, we strategically embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Toorak College. In his article, Philip Carew, our Head of Digital Learning and Innovation, provides insights into the transformative power of AI in education. He unveils its applications and the evolving educational perspective at Toorak College, where we recognise the significance of integrating AI into our teaching and learning methodologies. Understanding artificial intelligence (AI) AI…

Conversation around the benefits and potential disadvantages of the ATAR system (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is one of the most contested in the Australian education landscape. With so much debate around the merit of the ATAR and its purpose in education due to its inability to view a student in a holistic way,, we're left with the question: should the ATAR system go? In this article, Brendan Fordham, Head of Student Programs at Toorak College, discusses the relevance of the ATAR system…

‘Emotional intelligence’ has long been a buzzword, but what exactly does it refer to? Emotional intelligence is a complex construct involving the ability to recognise and understand emotions in ourselves while empathising with others, communicating effectively, and building healthy relationships. In this blog, Toorak College School Psychologist Kelly Butler delves into the importance of developing emotional intelligence in students, and how it can help students navigate through school and life…

The early years of children’s lives have a profound impact on their learning and development. In Toorak College’s Early Learning Centre, creating opportunities for each child to thrive is imperative. We take pride in working collaboratively with children and families to develop valuable, lifelong skills of self-love, worth, and confidence. In this article, Director of Early Learning Pat Barbieri introduces some of the activities practised at Toorak College that will hold children in good stead…

Empowering children by providing a safe space for play, exploration, and learning is one of the main tasks for educators from early learning through to graduation. Facilitating and creating opportunities for play in early learning is an important step in creating confident and empowered students. In this blog, Toorak College Early Learning Teacher Rowena Thorne explores how play can help empower students and encourage self-discovery. The role of play in student empowerment Jean Piaget's famous…

Unlocking the potential of students is a crucial aspect of their academic journey. Melissa Schoorman, the Head of Wardle House and Deputy Principal, shares insights into the importance of learning how to learn. In this exploration, we delve into the strategies employed in Wardle House to empower students with the skills necessary for maximising learning outcomes and unlocking students’ potential. The foundation: learning how to learn Understanding the process of learning is foundational in a…

In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace dynamics, fostering a culture of employee wellbeing has emerged as a critical factor for organisational success. In a recently published survey by Gallagher 2023, 75% of employees said that wellbeing was one of their highest priorities. The study further indicated that low wellbeing, mental health, burnout and workplace stress have a significant and direct impact on an organisations bottom line. Acknowledging the need to offer employees with a…