“THE pupil’s welfare is of primary importance: he is to be treated with kindness and respect; it is the educator’s responsibility to place him in a happy, rigorous, enquiring educational environment where all are treated as equals, where all are encouraged to speak up and out, to one another and to their teacher.”
This statement could quite easily have been written by a great post-modern educational thinker, reckons Mark Murphy, deputy principal at St Joseph’s College.
“Instead, it was produced over 150 years ago by an Italian priest, John Bosco,” Mr Murphy said.
“He (Bosco) recognised that the way to a successful education for boys was through the development of positive relationships where mutual and unconditional respect and a focus on the dignity of the person were the mainstays.”
St Joseph’s College is a Catholic secondary school for boys in the care of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
The College strives to provide boys with the specific educational, social/emotional and spiritual tools required as they journey towards manhood in an environment which is positive and academically rigorous.
“Boys learn in different ways to girls,” said Mr Murphy.
“Boys often require sign posts, which will guide them towards their learning destination.
“They need to be engaged in real purposeful learning, which uses teaching and assessment styles that draw on boys’ strengths.
“A good boys’ education recognises that there are many pathways towards manhood,” he said.
To learn more about what St Joseph’s College has to offer, visit the Open Day on Sunday 14 September between 1pm and 4pm at 5 Brenock Park Drive, Ferntree Gully.
For more details phone the college on 9758 2000.
Latest
Pool zumba a hit
Fun, exercise and laughs have seen the community come together, booking out the free aqua classes being held at the local pools in the...
