Easter has now come and gone and fast approaching is the school holidays. As we take a united sigh and head off for a well-deserved break, take a moment to reflect upon how you have been a ‘thinker’ this term. Have you been a thinker who has exercised initiative? Have you applied thinking skills critically or creatively to recognise and approach complex problems? Have you made reasoned, ethical decisions? How have you been a ‘Thinker’ in your daily life?

Our boys here at Lindfield engage in this Learner Profile attribute of a ‘Thinker’ on a daily basis and across a range of contexts.

• Helping a friend in need

• Showcasing their manners

• Playing handball

• Solving academic problems

• Conducting personal inquiries

• Deciding on behaviour choices – ‘controlling the controllables’

The learner profile attributes help to mould and create life-long learners. These attributes are not just for the classroom or school setting but for all facets of life. These learner profile attributes are not just for the boys. All members of our Newington school community should consider how these attributes apply to their lives.

How does being a ‘Thinker’ apply to your daily life? Take a moment to pause and reflect on the thinking in which you may have been involved lately. Discuss this with your son and open up dialogue about his thinking. Identifying this attribute in real life situations is the perfect opportunity to emphasise the importance of being a thinker in today’s busy and dynamic world.

Let’s create boys who are thinkers and can identify what it means to use thinking skills in their everyday lives to move towards the ultimate goal of creating life-long learners.

Joel Weekes
Teaching and Learning Team Leader / PYP Coordinator