Masada cultivating a culture of thinking with other schools

THREE years after implementing its unique Culture of Thinking method of teaching, Masada College taught the approach to other schools last week.

The technique is designed to move students and teachers away from the concept of spoonfeeding knowledge, towards developing skills in thinking.

Students become critical, creative, empathetic and sceptical thinkers, taking on responsibility for their own learning abilities.

Masada was the first school in NSW to implement the program.

Among those visiting the college to learn more about the method were educators from Emanuel School, Moriah College, The Scots College, Ravenswood, Abbotsleigh, Pymble Ladies College, Trinity Grammar School, Shore School and St Luke’s Grammar School.

“We are very excited to be able to share with other schools in NSW the Culture of Thinking component of our education package,” Masada College principal Wendy Barel said.

“It’s an approach to teach students to take responsibility for their own thinking and learning.

“The technique makes students and teachers more conscious about the process of thinking.”

“These steps forward are not measurable in any tables or scores, but are reflected in the fulfilling and meaningful lives our students lead,” Barel said.

“Some of the schools are [just] starting the journey, but we are the most advanced.

“Emanuel has started looking at it and Ravenswood is very interested, so they sent a lot of teachers.”

Moriah College middle school’s gifted and talented program coordinator Sara Ratner hailed the conference as a great success.

“The keynote address from Karin Morrison, the pioneer of Culture of Thinking, was phenomenal and I was very interested to hear about what Masada is doing,” she said.

JOSHUA LEVI

PHOTO: Pioneer of Culture of Thinking Karin Morrison (left) and Masada College principal Wendy Barel with teachers from schools across Sydney.