A Learning Environment

Seven Oaks is a learning-focussed environment.

This means that you won’t see rows of desks with around 30 students of the same age, doing the same work, at the same level, at the same time.

What you will see are classrooms of 24 students with a three year age range and two educators (a 12:1 ratio) all engaged in their own learning, some on their own some in small groups and sometimes all together.

In 2010, our students are aged between 5 and 11 years. Every year, we will extend the age range by one year until our oldest students are 18 years old.

To maximise the speed and depth of learning for each child, learning programmes are individually developed between the student and the educator, with parent involvement.
Students experience a range of compulsory (e.g. 3r’s), elective (projects) and personal choice learnings. Generally, students are engaged in compulsory learnings in the morning with elective and personal choice work in the afternoon.

Students everywhere often complain that they are asked to learn things that are boring and seem irrelevant to them. At Seven Oaks, we endeavour to ground academic learnings in real life experiences so that the subjects go beyond concept and become imbued with practical meaning for each student. To support this, students experience regular outside and off-site learnings. (See Full Engagement)

Another feature of Seven Oaks is the way we give students an opportunity to become involved in the operational processes of the school. This gets them appropriately engaged with the real world at the most formative stages of their life. In the early years, this involves simple activities such as cleaning and gardening. As they grow, they will be able to participate in more advanced activities such as administration and decision-making.

Boys and girls generally have different learning styles and interests, especially until they reach adolescence. Girls are mostly (but not always) audial learners and boys are mostly (but not always) visual learners. Thus we keep boys and girls together, and make a point of catering for both audial and visual learners.

A nurturing environment is crucial for students to be open to learning. When they feel welcomed, cared for and unconditionally supported, their willingness to learn and to support their fellow students grows enormously. Our Educators are firstly and foremostly mentors, guides and supporters of the students in their care. (See Nurturing Environment)

Students wear everyday practical clothes to ensure that they are free to express themselves through their choice of dress. Students and educators address each other by their first names to support a connecting and respectful relationship.