Shared beliefs about Learning:

Beliefs about how children learn will determine, more than anything else, how teachers teach and what parents expect of the school. The Curriculum at OLOL is designed to ensure that all students gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required for the 21st century. Skills of cooperation, problem-solving, self-direction, relating to others and managing change are embedded throughout the curriculum. Our beliefs are:

• Learning is a meaning-making process. Children are natural meaning-makers, whose curiosity leads them to explore their surroundings, solve problems and make sense of things.
• When children experience success, their self-confidence rises and they learn more effectively.
• Children tend to learn well when they feel safe yet challenged.
• Children learn in different ways and at different rates. Their level of maturity has a big influence on whether they are able to learn a particular skill or concept at a particular time.
• Children learn by watching, joining in and imitating people. They learn from each other as well as from adults and they deepen their understanding when they explain their thinking or demonstrate a skill to others.
• Children learn through play, through handling materials and through solving real life puzzles.
• Talking helps children learn. They learn when they ask questions, explain things, hear different points of view or think aloud.

A TEACHER ONCE SAID …

‘The beauty of teaching here is the feeling you get when you walk in the door. It’s a little hard to articulate but it’s about being part of a community that is supportive and willing to go the extra mile. The families are gorgeous, the staff are enthusiastic and the children are lovable. We’re really very lucky.’  – Sarah