Congratulations to our Director of Student Learning Opportunities Mrs Simone Brown, who recently graduated with her Masters from the University of New South Wales!
Mrs Brown graduated with a Masters of Education in Educational Psychology, with excellence. This is an incredible achievement, which only increases the scope of what she brings to our staff team at ICS! Hear below from Mrs Brown about obtaining her Masters and how her study has shaped what she has to offer in her role at our school.
"My greatest passion is to see students fully engaged in their learning, achieving their goals, collaborating with others and embracing who they are. For me, a deep understanding of the psychology of teaching and learning is crucial to all we do.
With a background in both education and psychology, this was the perfect opportunity for me to bring my two disciplines together and look at the latest research and best practices in the field of educational psychology. I love learning and was keen to embark on my Masters of Education to increase my expertise in areas of inclusion, individual differences, motivation and engagement, as well as to learn the psychology behind leading change and building resilience for staff and students.
I was blessed to be able to select subjects throughout my Masters degree that directly benefit our school community. We are working hard to create a fully inclusive school where all students are celebrated for who they are; where lessons are designed in such a way as to consider the strengths and needs of whole classes; and where an inclusive, trauma-informed environment is created, whereby our students feel a deep sense of belonging and are afforded choice and voice so that they can fully engage with their learning and with our fabulous community.
It is a privilege to work in a school where we can speak about each child's uniqueness and preciousness as children of God. Our Christian worldview is a rich and crucial overlay to the science of learning and teaching and brings such clarity, meaning and eternal significance to all we do. In Christ, we have true belonging, we are all equally precious and considered and loved, each of us has our place in the body; being uniquely designed for purpose, creativity and for building each other up.
All that I have learned through my Masters can be thought through and viewed with a biblical lens. God's plan for his people is perfect, his plan is the exemplar of inclusion, belonging, and acceptance, and is a celebration of individual differences. If in some small way, my studies enable ICS to better model our practices on his ways and incorporate best practices in the process, then it has all been worthwhile."
