Chevalier College experiment, a new educational approach

(School photos from the college Facebook page.)

Last November there was controversy about this plan and we posted,

In 2024, Chevalier College plans to implement a new and innovative educational approach that empowers students and redefines learning. Future Facing will change the way Chevalier students learn, creating a contemporary educational experience with Knowledge, Capabilities and Self-development at its core. By using time more effectively to maximise engagement and personal growth, students connect more deeply with their learning, acquiring complex capabilities and greater self-awareness to help them flourish in a rapidly changing world.

The college report noted:

Recent media has inaccurately reported on the initiatives being implemented at Chevalier College in 2024.

Incorrect: Chevalier is running a 4-day week for Years 10-12. Correction:

Chevalier is not moving to a four-day week for any year group. Students in Years 10-12 will be invited to learn from home on some Mondays and only if they meet certain criteria.

All students in Years 7-12 will be required to complete a detailed and thorough micro-credential course which takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Only students in Years 10-12 who complete the course will have the opportunity to learn from home on some Mondays, meaning those students need to earn the right to do so.

The first step will be the attainment of the micro-credential.

The second step will be that their parents attend a workshop on-site at the College to understand how learning from home will work, before they give permission. These sessions will also include information for parents about keeping students safe online in the home environment.

Last week, ABC Radio had a substantial segment on The World Today, which can be downloaded from the ABC site.  The report took a favourable perspective on what has happened so far, acknowledging that last year some parents removed their children from the college. The present report has a story interviewing a student and her parents as well as an Assistant Principal and a teacher.

Some highlights:

Flexible learning showing promise preparing high school students for post-COVID, hybrid working world

• In short: A private high school says surveys of students learning from home one day a week have been positive.
• Chevalier College students say the new timetable is reducing their stress levels and helping them manage their time.
• What's next? The school will consider adopting the flexible model permanently at the end of the year.

Catholic private school Chevalier College has just finished its first term of flexible learning. So far, more than 100 senior students have opted in to the trial which gives students greater flexibility in their timetables.

Chevalier College assistant principal Rebecca Graham said part of the challenge has been explaining the goals of the program. "Schools like ours often have quite a big dropout rate once kids get to university," she said. "[Students] have been spoon fed, and they haven't had to be self-directed."

The school has been conducting surveys of students to learn how they are adapting to the new schedule. The positive responses have helped win over some of the sceptical parents. "The first survey results when we sat down and had a look at it were actually far more positive than what we anticipated," Ms Graham said. "It is not perfect at the moment, but we certainly know that the balance that kids are finding in the day is a positive one.