Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2016

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LEARNING TREES: SPACE, REFLECTION AND THAT SPECIAL PLACE CALLED RANGAKARRA

to create a grove of ‘learning’ trees at Rangakarra. As part of the opening celebration of this facility, all House Group Captains from Year 7 and 8 planted a ‘learning’ tree; forest red gums and stringy barks were chosen because they are native to the area.

AUTHOR Dr Bruce Addison Dean of Curriculum and Scholarship

‘Each student is like a leaf, strong, capable and unique, but we are all

LEARNING IS ALL ABOUT GROWTH. IT IS BOTH DEVELOPMENTAL AND SPORADIC. VERY RARELY IS IT REPRESENTED BY A LINEAR OR PREDICTABLE TRAJECTORY. GIVEN THIS, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT WE USE THE IMAGE OF A TREE OR MORE SPECIFICALLY A ‘LEARNING’ TREE TO REPRESENT OUR CONCEPT OF LEARNING. SAPLINGS ARE VULNERABLE. THEY NEED CAREFUL ATTENTION. THEY MUST BE WATERED BUT NOT OVER-WATERED. THEIR WEIGHT MUST BE SUPPORTED OTHERWISE THEIR GROWTH WILL BE STUNTED. TIES ARE ATTACHED TO PROTECT THE SAPLING FROM THE WIND, THEIR JOB IS TO ENSURE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. CAREFUL ATTENTIVENESS WILL HELP THESE VERY YOUNG TREES GROW INTO MATURE SPECIMENS. Young minds are not dissimilar. They need support and encouragement. They need the guidance of teachers, whether at home or at School, to ensure that sustainable learning occurs. The ability to wonder, reason, argue and discern takes time. It takes much role-modelling and patience. It can happen in the car, in the classroom, on the bus, on a screen and dare I say, in a book. Growth occurs incrementally, as planned tuition or as the result of accidental encounter. This is why learning is so magical. Our Rangakarra campus at Fig Tree Pocket is a very special haven. It has a peaceful and timeless presence. The gum trees are magnificent, their majestic stretch adorns the blue sky. The landscape in all of its spaciousness is quintessentially Australian. Last year, the decision was made in part as a celebration of our first Year 7 cohort,

connected, and it is when we are united together that our learning is at its best.’ — Woolcock House

This year the new tradition continued. All Year 7 House Group Captains travelled to Rangakarra for a tree planting ceremony. It was a beautiful day. The magic of this place was embracing. The blues and greens accompanied by the melodic chatter of nature created a sublime presence. It was a fresh, bright and typically Australian day, reminding all present that we live in the best country in the world. Local elder, Uncle Robert Henderson, spoke about the land and its importance. His eloquence, wisdom and tenderness was inspiring. We are nothing more than custodians of this Great South Land. Space is a very special concept. In our busy lives it provides us with time to breathe — something we so often sacrifice. Pausing to remember and reflect is very important — it provides a grounding and peace that is so often lacking. Simple imagery is a way to remind us of the essential components of our humanness. May Rangakarra continue to grow into a haven for generations of Grammar Girls — a place where learning is a celebration of intellect, spirit and self.

‘ Learning is all about embracing the journey.’ — Griffith House

SPRING ISSUE / 2016