Cultivating Learner Excellence: The Launch of the Year 7 ‘Learn to Learn’ Program 

As we commence the academic year, the College is proud to introduce our Year 7 cohort to the College Learn to Learn program. This foundational initiative is designed to ensure that the transition to high school is marked not only by academic support but by the explicit development of the cognitive and organisational tools essential for learning success. 

The Learn to Learn program is grounded in educational research, focusing on the “meta-skills” that distinguish expert learners. Throughout the program, students will develop proficiency in several key areas:

• Assessment Literacy: Students are taught to deconstruct assessment task rubrics and understand success criteria. By learning how to interpret feedback, students take ownership of their learning growth.  
• Self-Regulated Learning: We introduce students to the “Learning Pit,” fostering the resilience needed to navigate complex challenges. Students learn to monitor their progress, identify when they are stuck, and apply specific strategies to move forward.
• Evidence-Based Study Habits: Rather than relying on ineffective methods like passive re-reading, students are introduced to high-impact techniques such as active recall and spaced practice, ensuring their study efforts yield results.

As part of the Learn to Learn program, Year 7 students engaged with the Digital Circuit, an induction into the College’s digital ecosystem. Our Year 10 student leaders confidently guided this process, providing peer mentorship as Year 7 learned about locating subject resources, email protocols, calendar management and establishing a structured file organisation system for all subjects.

On Monday, our Year 7 students were introduced to the College Learning and Wellbeing Framework, which serves as the blueprint for the type of learner—and person—we aim to develop at the College. We believe that a great education goes far beyond just mastering subjects; it’s about fostering critical thinking, personal growth, and the confidence to become a thoughtful, capable individual ready to contribute to society. The six pillars of our framework represent the key areas of growth we nurture in every student, ensuring they have a strong foundation for both their studies and their life outside the classroom.

Students also completed a Learner Survey to help them uncover their own unique learning strengths and styles. This information will be shared with staff to guide the design of learning experiences, ensuring that instruction is intentionally differentiated and strategies are tailored to meet the specific needs of every student.

We look forward to seeing our Year 7 students develop their confidence as they settle into the rhythm of College life.

Mrs Kelly Smit, Leader of Learning and Teaching