28 March 2025
Professional learning spotlight: Growing a culture of thinking
At Calderwood Christian School, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and dynamic learning environment where both students and teachers thrive.
This year, some of our dedicated staff have embarked on an exciting journey of professional learning aimed at growing and strengthening 'Cultures of Thinking'. This initiative is designed to enhance our educational practices and create a more thoughtful, reflective, and engaging learning experience for our students.
In this endeavour we are in partnership with Simon Brooks, a renowned educator and facilitator who has been instrumental in promoting thinking, understanding, curiosity, and independence in learners worldwide. Simon brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having worked with schools across the globe to implement the 'Cultures of Thinking' framework developed by Project Zero at Harvard University.
“The best teachers are those who continuously innovate and seek to deepen their practice, and families at Calderwood Christian School can be delighted to know that these are exactly the kind of teachers they have. I look forward to continuing my work with the teachers and leaders at Calderwood as they build an ever-richer culture of thinking for the students in their school.”
– Mr Simon Brooks
Through professional learning sessions with Simon, the central tenant “learning is a consequence of thinking” has been embraced and embodied by staff. Various aspects of teaching have become inquiry areas for each staff member, which requires them to intentionally and purposefully think – and therefore learn – more about.
“Learning happens as a result of thinking’ has resonated with me throughout the training. It has encouraged me to look for opportunities to allow space for student thinking and wondering to promote more meaningful learning experiences. By examining my practice through this lens, I’ve been able to make small adjustments to my lesson delivery which have supported growth in student thinking, increased student engagement and deepened their learning.”
– Mrs Cara O’Neill
These sessions have also provided us with practical strategies to make thinking visible in our classrooms and to cultivate a culture where students' thinking is valued and actively promoted.
“Having Simon Brooks come and support us in developing a culture of thinking in our classrooms has been a highlight of my teaching career. By putting the emphasis on thinking and encouraging students to think, as the way to learn, feels like why I wanted to be a teacher in the first place.”
– Ms Elise Semenchuk
We are excited to see the positive impact of this professional learning on our teaching practices and student outcomes. As we continue to grow and strengthen our 'Culture of Thinking', we are confident that our students will benefit from a richer, more thoughtful educational experience.
Mr Ross Graham
Leader of Teacher Innovation and Learning (Secondary)
