Outstanding Teachers + Outstanding Learners = Outstanding Outcomes
Just as teaching is a skill that can be learnt, so is learning.
We have outstanding teachers at Mosman Prep. It’s something I’m well aware of and extremely grateful for, and something parents share with me regularly in conversation and also through surveys.
However, outstanding teaching is only part of the educational equation.
To maximise student outcomes, we also need outstanding learners. I’m not referring to learners with high IQ or great memory, but rather what author James Anderson refers to as having ‘Learnership’.
At a recent Heads' Conference I attended, James Anderson reminded us that learning is a skill, something that can be learnt, practised, and mastered over time. Just as we strive to be skilled drivers or artists, we can also become skilled learners. Teachers can spend hours in professional development growing their capacity to teach, but if children don’t know how to learn we have a problem.
‘Learning isn't just about knowing the right answers, it's about building the skills and mindset to keep learning throughout life’.
This is a subtle but important shift in thinking. We often focus on what our children are learning (e.g., math, science, history), but 'Learnership' encourages us to also focus on how they are learning. Is the child a passive participant in the classroom, or is he an active, engaged, and strategic learner?
One of the most important elements of 'Learnership' is developing a healthy relationship with challenge. Think about it: when we do something easy, we stay in our "Comfort Zone." But true growth happens in the "Learning Zone," a place where we feel a bit of discomfort and have to struggle to figure things out.
Many children (and adults!) struggle not because they’re "not smart" or "not capable," but because they haven't learned how to learn effectively. By focusing on learnership, we help students:
- Take responsibility for their learning
- Build confidence in their ability to improve
- Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow
- Become more independent and motivated learners
James Anderson reminds us that "struggle is temporary," and that effort is the currency of growth.
How We're Supporting Learnership at School
- Encouraging students to reflect on their learning process.
- Providing feedback that emphasises effort and growth.
- Celebrating progress, not just achievement.
- Helping students set goals and track their own learning journey.
How You Can Help at Home
Parents play a crucial role in nurturing learnership. Here are a few simple ways you can support your child:
- Praise effort, not just results: Instead of saying “You’re so smart,” try “I’m proud of how hard you worked on that.”
- Talk about learning, not just grades: Ask questions like, “What did you learn today?” or “What was something challenging you figured out?”
- Model a growth mindset: Share your own learning experiences. Let them see you making mistakes and learning from them.
- Encourage reflection: Help your child think about what strategies worked and what they might try next time.
Together, by supporting your child’s learnership, we’re not just helping them succeed in school, we're equipping them with the mindset and habits they’ll need for a lifetime of learning. We’re helping them to own their learning journey, and to enjoy the process of learning, not just getting the right answer.
Peter Grimes | Headmaster
