[Music] [Applause]
we’re in a society now particularly
we’re in a society now particularly Australia where we focus a lot on
Australia where we focus a lot on
Australia where we focus a lot on results we see that students at NAPLAN
results we see that students at NAPLAN
results we see that students at NAPLAN results and a lot of our students are
results and a lot of our students are
results and a lot of our students are completing their farmer years of
completing their farmer years of
completing their farmer years of education as well and it all comes down
education as well and it all comes down
education as well and it all comes down to a particular number and somehow we
to a particular number and somehow we
to a particular number and somehow we can be confused to think that one number
can be confused to think that one number
can be confused to think that one number or that score is the value of who we are
or that score is the value of who we are
or that score is the value of who we are as individuals the value of what we will
as individuals the value of what we will
as individuals the value of what we will contribute to society in the future so
contribute to society in the future so
contribute to society in the future so I’m going to talk about connection today
I’m going to talk about connection today
I’m going to talk about connection today with regard to the idea of relationship
with regard to the idea of relationship
with regard to the idea of relationship and the power of relationship between
and the power of relationship between
and the power of relationship between individuals communities and the
individuals communities and the
individuals communities and the individuals between in them let me start
individuals between in them let me start
individuals between in them let me start by asking you a question to reflect on
by asking you a question to reflect on
by asking you a question to reflect on do you think it’s important that
do you think it’s important that
do you think it’s important that students are happy well-adjusted
students are happy well-adjusted
students are happy well-adjusted connected to their schools is it
connected to their schools is it
connected to their schools is it important that a student wants to go to
important that a student wants to go to
important that a student wants to go to school in the morning and I would say to
school in the morning and I would say to
school in the morning and I would say to you that is really important and the
you that is really important and the
you that is really important and the studies are starting to show that that a
studies are starting to show that that a
studies are starting to show that that a student who feels that they’re going to
student who feels that they’re going to
student who feels that they’re going to school which is a community of people
school which is a community of people
school which is a community of people who likes some who accepts them who
who likes some who accepts them who
who likes some who accepts them who values them go to that school are more
values them go to that school are more
values them go to that school are more regularly they go to that school with a
regularly they go to that school with a
regularly they go to that school with a better sense of self but they their
better sense of self but they their
better sense of self but they their ideas and their values about where they
ideas and their values about where they
ideas and their values about where they will end up in the future are much
will end up in the future are much
will end up in the future are much higher and finally that their results
higher and finally that their results
higher and finally that their results are far better because the way that they
are far better because the way that they
are far better because the way that they see themselves the way that they feel
see themselves the way that they feel
see themselves the way that they feel that others see them is so critically
that others see them is so critically
that others see them is so critically important that it becomes a
important that it becomes a
important that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in that young
self-fulfilling prophecy in that young
self-fulfilling prophecy in that young person’s life this type of research is
person’s life this type of research is
person’s life this type of research is now coming to the fore and a group that
now coming to the fore and a group that
now coming to the fore and a group that that I really like and I recommend is
that I really like and I recommend is
that I really like and I recommend is the group called the relational schools
the group called the relational schools
the group called the relational schools foundation since 2014 dr. Rob Lowe has
foundation since 2014 dr. Rob Lowe has
foundation since 2014 dr. Rob Lowe has been looking at the impact of
been looking at the impact of
been looking at the impact of relationship on young people he has gone
relationship on young people he has gone
relationship on young people he has gone through all of the UK into doing surveys
through all of the UK into doing surveys
through all of the UK into doing surveys and interviews of young people to say
and interviews of young people to say
and interviews of young people to say and to look at how do they feel versus
and to look at how do they feel versus
and to look at how do they feel versus how they see themselves or achieve as
how they see themselves or achieve as
how they see themselves or achieve as individuals he found five different
individuals he found five different
individuals he found five different components in terms of how a young
components in terms of how a young
components in terms of how a young person views themselves or how school is
person views themselves or how school is
person views themselves or how school is set up and his research shows that there
set up and his research shows that there
set up and his research shows that there are five elements of a school that will
are five elements of a school that will
are five elements of a school that will help them to improve the sense of
help them to improve the sense of
help them to improve the sense of well-being for an individual and develop
well-being for an individual and develop
well-being for an individual and develop community the first one is around power
community the first one is around power
community the first one is around power and in a sense is that for young people
and in a sense is that for young people
and in a sense is that for young people and for schools to thrive in big good
and for schools to thrive in big good
and for schools to thrive in big good places to belong is that power something
places to belong is that power something
places to belong is that power something that is distributed
that is distributed
that is distributed fairly as an individual is power and
fairly as an individual is power and
fairly as an individual is power and distributed in a sense where I feel
distributed in a sense where I feel
distributed in a sense where I feel respected and I can respect others the
respected and I can respect others the
respected and I can respect others the second one there is around the
second one there is around the
second one there is around the information when I’m in this school
information when I’m in this school
information when I’m in this school environment do I feel I receive the
environment do I feel I receive the
environment do I feel I receive the information the feedback that I require
information the feedback that I require
information the feedback that I require to be successful in that community the
to be successful in that community the
to be successful in that community the third element is communication are there
third element is communication are there
third element is communication are there times where I can communicate to speak
times where I can communicate to speak
times where I can communicate to speak to others and times where I can be heard
to others and times where I can be heard
to others and times where I can be heard as well and does the school value that
as well and does the school value that
as well and does the school value that do my classes do my colleagues value
do my classes do my colleagues value
do my classes do my colleagues value that ability to be able to communicate
that ability to be able to communicate
that ability to be able to communicate with each other the fourth element is
with each other the fourth element is
with each other the fourth element is around purpose why are we here
around purpose why are we here
around purpose why are we here what are we doing together what is the
what are we doing together what is the
what are we doing together what is the direction that we’re headed is there a
direction that we’re headed is there a
direction that we’re headed is there a synergy in the types of things that
synergy in the types of things that
synergy in the types of things that we’re doing together
we’re doing together
we’re doing together that we’re actually building towards the
that we’re actually building towards the
that we’re actually building towards the same destination and finally when I
same destination and finally when I
same destination and finally when I reflect back on my story and I look back
reflect back on my story and I look back
reflect back on my story and I look back over all the time that I’ve spent in
over all the time that I’ve spent in
over all the time that I’ve spent in that school and community is that story
that school and community is that story
that school and community is that story building and showing me and telling me a
building and showing me and telling me a
building and showing me and telling me a set of patterns and transits show me
set of patterns and transits show me
set of patterns and transits show me overcoming difficulties working with
overcoming difficulties working with
overcoming difficulties working with relationship with it which with others
relationship with it which with others
relationship with it which with others in terms of being able to go forward
in terms of being able to go forward
in terms of being able to go forward towards my desired destination because
towards my desired destination because
towards my desired destination because if I’ve got a story that when I retell
if I’ve got a story that when I retell
if I’ve got a story that when I retell it from the past is one of overcoming of
it from the past is one of overcoming of
it from the past is one of overcoming of one of dealing with difficulties and
one of dealing with difficulties and
one of dealing with difficulties and struggles and most likely to think that
struggles and most likely to think that
struggles and most likely to think that my future is one that’s going to be
my future is one that’s going to be
my future is one that’s going to be positive but yes it will have
positive but yes it will have
positive but yes it will have difficulties and struggles and in the
difficulties and struggles and in the
difficulties and struggles and in the future but because I know my story and I
future but because I know my story and I
future but because I know my story and I know where I’ve overcome that in the
know where I’ve overcome that in the
know where I’ve overcome that in the past are more likely to see that my
past are more likely to see that my
past are more likely to see that my future story is going to be one that’s
future story is going to be one that’s
future story is going to be one that’s positive also in looking at a school
positive also in looking at a school
positive also in looking at a school then the relational skills foundation
then the relational skills foundation
then the relational skills foundation and dr. Loes research started to look at
and dr. Loes research started to look at
and dr. Loes research started to look at schools in as being not just permanent
schools in as being not just permanent
schools in as being not just permanent entities not something that was fixed in
entities not something that was fixed in
entities not something that was fixed in stone but almost like a mixing desk that
stone but almost like a mixing desk that
stone but almost like a mixing desk that we can look at those five elements
we can look at those five elements
we can look at those five elements within a school and start adjusting and
within a school and start adjusting and
within a school and start adjusting and working with those in a school that
working with those in a school that
working with those in a school that doesn’t communicate very often or
doesn’t communicate very often or
doesn’t communicate very often or doesn’t have spaces for students to
doesn’t have spaces for students to
doesn’t have spaces for students to communicate they can provide
communicate they can provide
communicate they can provide opportunities for them to communicate
opportunities for them to communicate
opportunities for them to communicate and interact and to speak and to be to
and interact and to speak and to be to
and interact and to speak and to be to know and to be known and so in that in
know and to be known and so in that in
know and to be known and so in that in there our mixing desk we can actually
there our mixing desk we can actually
there our mixing desk we can actually then increase that proximity in terms of
then increase that proximity in terms of
then increase that proximity in terms of being able to provide opportunities for
being able to provide opportunities for
being able to provide opportunities for that so if we were to evaluate our
that so if we were to evaluate our
that so if we were to evaluate our school and think that our students don’t
school and think that our students don’t
school and think that our students don’t have the opportunity
have the opportunity
have the opportunity Trinity to communicate with staff for
Trinity to communicate with staff for
Trinity to communicate with staff for each other then we can provide those
each other then we can provide those
each other then we can provide those opportunities and so doing lifts that
opportunities and so doing lifts that
opportunities and so doing lifts that scale in terms of the community as he
scale in terms of the community as he
scale in terms of the community as he went around he decided then to have a
went around he decided then to have a
went around he decided then to have a look at each of the schools and work out
look at each of the schools and work out
look at each of the schools and work out throughout the United Kingdom which
throughout the United Kingdom which
throughout the United Kingdom which schools were doing this really well and
schools were doing this really well and
schools were doing this really well and so the question for many people is how
so the question for many people is how
so the question for many people is how do you actually measure a relationship
do you actually measure a relationship
do you actually measure a relationship how do you measure the connections that
how do you measure the connections that
how do you measure the connections that are occurring within a school what he
are occurring within a school what he
are occurring within a school what he was looking for was relational proximity
was looking for was relational proximity
was looking for was relational proximity how much do we know connect or
how much do we know connect or
how much do we know connect or interrelate to each other and that was
interrelate to each other and that was
interrelate to each other and that was the basis upon which he was valuing or
the basis upon which he was valuing or
the basis upon which he was valuing or understanding the level of that
understanding the level of that
understanding the level of that connection and it’s an interesting tool
connection and it’s an interesting tool
connection and it’s an interesting tool where where he was asking was he paired
where where he was asking was he paired
where where he was asking was he paired people up in terms of the the classrooms
people up in terms of the the classrooms
people up in terms of the the classrooms from all individual classes gave them
from all individual classes gave them
from all individual classes gave them somebody within that class to think
somebody within that class to think
somebody within that class to think about maybe somebody they knew well
about maybe somebody they knew well
about maybe somebody they knew well maybe somebody who was brand-new to the
maybe somebody who was brand-new to the
maybe somebody who was brand-new to the school maybe somebody they’d known since
school maybe somebody they’d known since
school maybe somebody they’d known since they’d commenced even in in prep or
they’d commenced even in in prep or
they’d commenced even in in prep or grade one and ask some questions about
grade one and ask some questions about
grade one and ask some questions about how well they knew this individual what
how well they knew this individual what
how well they knew this individual what this person’s values were what they
this person’s values were what they
this person’s values were what they liked or disliked how other do they know
liked or disliked how other do they know
liked or disliked how other do they know these things did they know what this
these things did they know what this
these things did they know what this person’s aspirations were like there are
person’s aspirations were like there are
person’s aspirations were like there are still evaluated to make a decision
still evaluated to make a decision
still evaluated to make a decision around was their relationship in the
around was their relationship in the
around was their relationship in the past a good one or was it a stressed one
past a good one or was it a stressed one
past a good one or was it a stressed one now was it a good one or a difficult one
now was it a good one or a difficult one
now was it a good one or a difficult one and then in the future in 10 or 15 years
and then in the future in 10 or 15 years
and then in the future in 10 or 15 years time did they expect to know the
time did they expect to know the
time did they expect to know the individual that they had been paired
individual that they had been paired
individual that they had been paired with randomly within that back with that
with randomly within that back with that
with randomly within that back with that school group and from that he was able
school group and from that he was able
school group and from that he was able to judge how close or distant
to judge how close or distant
to judge how close or distant relationships were within that school
relationships were within that school
relationships were within that school now that’s not valuing the relationship
now that’s not valuing the relationship
now that’s not valuing the relationship it’s talking about a proximity how close
it’s talking about a proximity how close
it’s talking about a proximity how close am I to understanding that person to
am I to understanding that person to
am I to understanding that person to realizing what their needs and wants are
realizing what their needs and wants are
realizing what their needs and wants are understanding that values will project
understanding that values will project
understanding that values will project him where they want to head in the
him where they want to head in the
him where they want to head in the future and it gave him a huge amount of
future and it gave him a huge amount of
future and it gave him a huge amount of data and the data looked like this so
data and the data looked like this so
data and the data looked like this so those five domains I spoke about about
those five domains I spoke about about
those five domains I spoke about about first off were divided into 35
first off were divided into 35
first off were divided into 35 individual elements so for each one of
individual elements so for each one of
individual elements so for each one of those five seven subsets of questions
those five seven subsets of questions
those five seven subsets of questions could be asked and going across each of
could be asked and going across each of
could be asked and going across each of those little Wrigley lines that have
those little Wrigley lines that have
those little Wrigley lines that have appear on the screens are different
appear on the screens are different
appear on the screens are different schools and putting all the students
schools and putting all the students
schools and putting all the students results together so that was totally
results together so that was totally
results together so that was totally anonymous and hundreds of children
anonymous and hundreds of children
anonymous and hundreds of children within
within
within schools put their results together and
schools put their results together and
schools put their results together and then to be able to evaluate where they
then to be able to evaluate where they
then to be able to evaluate where they were doing well or where they were
were doing well or where they were
were doing well or where they were struggling this allowed him to develop a
struggling this allowed him to develop a
struggling this allowed him to develop a baseline to say in an average school how
baseline to say in an average school how
baseline to say in an average school how close should those connections be how
close should those connections be how
close should those connections be how well should students know each other how
well should students know each other how
well should students know each other how will should they have an understanding
will should they have an understanding
will should they have an understanding of their future aspirations of the
of their future aspirations of the
of their future aspirations of the students that they traveled with the
students that they traveled with the
students that they traveled with the findings are very interesting so in
findings are very interesting so in
findings are very interesting so in total three of the findings that came
total three of the findings that came
total three of the findings that came out of his study where the girls
out of his study where the girls
out of his study where the girls actually had better relationships in
actually had better relationships in
actually had better relationships in general and so he gave it about a 75%
general and so he gave it about a 75%
general and so he gave it about a 75% ranking came down to the fact that the
ranking came down to the fact that the
ranking came down to the fact that the girls actually spoke a great deal more
girls actually spoke a great deal more
girls actually spoke a great deal more and when you looked at the amount of
and when you looked at the amount of
and when you looked at the amount of time that they communicated with each
time that they communicated with each
time that they communicated with each other in meaningful ways
other in meaningful ways
other in meaningful ways that they were spending a lot more time
that they were spending a lot more time
that they were spending a lot more time communicating in boys they spent less
communicating in boys they spent less
communicating in boys they spent less time actually interacting communicating
time actually interacting communicating
time actually interacting communicating they may have spent time together
they may have spent time together
they may have spent time together undertook activities played sport spent
undertook activities played sport spent
undertook activities played sport spent time in spacial proximity to each other
time in spacial proximity to each other
time in spacial proximity to each other but in terms of communicating being
but in terms of communicating being
but in terms of communicating being understood and understanding the other
understood and understanding the other
understood and understanding the other that was reduced but the fascinating
that was reduced but the fascinating
that was reduced but the fascinating part of this research was that all of
part of this research was that all of
part of this research was that all of these schools were co-educational and
these schools were co-educational and
these schools were co-educational and that they had boys and girls right the
that they had boys and girls right the
that they had boys and girls right the way through and what the study found was
way through and what the study found was
way through and what the study found was that in terms of understanding the other
that in terms of understanding the other
that in terms of understanding the other within school environments it was the
within school environments it was the
within school environments it was the male and female relationship that was
male and female relationship that was
male and female relationship that was the most disconnected and on his results
the most disconnected and on his results
the most disconnected and on his results it was about 32% and when the
it was about 32% and when the
it was about 32% and when the researchers went in and dug a little bit
researchers went in and dug a little bit
researchers went in and dug a little bit deeper the reason that that was the case
deeper the reason that that was the case
deeper the reason that that was the case was the fact that the only way that male
was the fact that the only way that male
was the fact that the only way that male female relationships were framed were
female relationships were framed were
female relationships were framed were around concepts of dating and marriage
around concepts of dating and marriage
around concepts of dating and marriage so for a boy and a girl in a school to
so for a boy and a girl in a school to
so for a boy and a girl in a school to communicate with each other
communicate with each other
communicate with each other the destination was either dating or
the destination was either dating or
the destination was either dating or somehow marriage and so in that sense
somehow marriage and so in that sense
somehow marriage and so in that sense schools had not set up the relationships
schools had not set up the relationships
schools had not set up the relationships or the behaviors or the expectations
or the behaviors or the expectations
or the behaviors or the expectations that boys and girls could actually be
that boys and girls could actually be
that boys and girls could actually be friends and so accordingly they didn’t
friends and so accordingly they didn’t
friends and so accordingly they didn’t interact with each other even though
interact with each other even though
interact with each other even though they sat next to each other in class may
they sat next to each other in class may
they sat next to each other in class may have gone through school for 13 15 years
have gone through school for 13 15 years
have gone through school for 13 15 years together their understanding was still
together their understanding was still
together their understanding was still very limited it’s interesting because
very limited it’s interesting because
very limited it’s interesting because when we talk about private schools and
when we talk about private schools and
when we talk about private schools and we talk about single sex schools a boys
we talk about single sex schools a boys
we talk about single sex schools a boys school or a girl school often the
school or a girl school often the
school or a girl school often the greatest complaint about them is if you
greatest complaint about them is if you
greatest complaint about them is if you send your child to a boys school or a
send your child to a boys school or a
send your child to a boys school or a girls school
girls school
girls school weren’t they weren’t they won’t learn
weren’t they weren’t they won’t learn
weren’t they weren’t they won’t learn how to actually interact with the
how to actually interact with the
how to actually interact with the opposite sex so here are people spending
opposite sex so here are people spending
opposite sex so here are people spending 13 years together and they’re still not
13 years together and they’re still not
13 years together and they’re still not learning about that one would think that
learning about that one would think that
learning about that one would think that if we are able to teach that and to
if we are able to teach that and to
if we are able to teach that and to develop that in skills how different
develop that in skills how different
develop that in skills how different would marriages actually be if people
would marriages actually be if people
would marriages actually be if people came out with even just as 75% between
came out with even just as 75% between
came out with even just as 75% between female and female as demonstrated there
female and female as demonstrated there
female and female as demonstrated there how much different impact that would
how much different impact that would
how much different impact that would have when you look at those results
have when you look at those results
have when you look at those results there’s one school that really stood out
there’s one school that really stood out
there’s one school that really stood out and this was a school that actually
and this was a school that actually
and this was a school that actually surprised the researchers in their
surprised the researchers in their
surprised the researchers in their results in what’s called the Samuel Ward
results in what’s called the Samuel Ward
results in what’s called the Samuel Ward school and you can see it there and
school and you can see it there and
school and you can see it there and doing some of the comparisons have a
doing some of the comparisons have a
doing some of the comparisons have a look at the first element that was there
look at the first element that was there
look at the first element that was there and that was amount of time that
and that was amount of time that
and that was amount of time that students were allowed or given
students were allowed or given
students were allowed or given opportunity to interact and connect with
opportunity to interact and connect with
opportunity to interact and connect with each other compare that to another
each other compare that to another
each other compare that to another school that’s there in terms of just how
school that’s there in terms of just how
school that’s there in terms of just how different one element is how often
different one element is how often
different one element is how often students have time to talk and interact
students have time to talk and interact
students have time to talk and interact communicate and get to know each other
communicate and get to know each other
communicate and get to know each other that’s not a million-dollar activity
that’s not a million-dollar activity
that’s not a million-dollar activity that doesn’t require a new facility it
that doesn’t require a new facility it
that doesn’t require a new facility it doesn’t require employing new staff
doesn’t require employing new staff
doesn’t require employing new staff simply being focused on the fact of
simply being focused on the fact of
simply being focused on the fact of whether or not you were giving
whether or not you were giving
whether or not you were giving opportunity for students to communicate
opportunity for students to communicate
opportunity for students to communicate had that profound impact if you go all
had that profound impact if you go all
had that profound impact if you go all the way through that same school the
the way through that same school the
the way through that same school the Samuel Ward School was exceptional all
Samuel Ward School was exceptional all
Samuel Ward School was exceptional all the way across and you can see how far
the way across and you can see how far
the way across and you can see how far it was ahead all of the other schools in
it was ahead all of the other schools in
it was ahead all of the other schools in the United Kingdom now they were
the United Kingdom now they were
the United Kingdom now they were fascinated by the school and they wanted
fascinated by the school and they wanted
fascinated by the school and they wanted to know what was different about this
to know what was different about this
to know what was different about this school compared to all the other schools
school compared to all the other schools
school compared to all the other schools that they had reviewed and they were
that they had reviewed and they were
that they had reviewed and they were expecting wanting to know whether a
expecting wanting to know whether a
expecting wanting to know whether a wealthy school was at a school that was
wealthy school was at a school that was
wealthy school was at a school that was brand new
brand new
brand new was that a school it was in a really old
was that a school it was in a really old
was that a school it was in a really old area and all the families knew each
area and all the families knew each
area and all the families knew each other etc and when they looked at the
other etc and when they looked at the
other etc and when they looked at the Samuel Ward school what they actually
Samuel Ward school what they actually
Samuel Ward school what they actually found one said it was actually a school
found one said it was actually a school
found one said it was actually a school that was in quite a challenging area a
that was in quite a challenging area a
that was in quite a challenging area a school that was from low economic
school that was from low economic
school that was from low economic background low economic background and
background low economic background and
background low economic background and that the projections in terms of
that the projections in terms of
that the projections in terms of students academic ability was quite low
students academic ability was quite low
students academic ability was quite low as well but in terms of what the school
as well but in terms of what the school
as well but in terms of what the school had set up besides their community or in
had set up besides their community or in
had set up besides their community or in spite of their community was a school
spite of their community was a school
spite of their community was a school that was focused on culture of community
that was focused on culture of community
that was focused on culture of community a school that was focused on
a school that was focused on
a school that was focused on relationship but all parts of how the
relationship but all parts of how the
relationship but all parts of how the school was developed from the very start
school was developed from the very start
school was developed from the very start of the school and through all parts of
of the school and through all parts of
of the school and through all parts of its DNA they wanted to develop a school
its DNA they wanted to develop a school
its DNA they wanted to develop a school that was built upon connection
that was built upon connection
that was built upon connection and provide opportunities for people to
and provide opportunities for people to
and provide opportunities for people to get to know each other and to be known
get to know each other and to be known
get to know each other and to be known the results are that even the students
the results are that even the students
the results are that even the students who were the most challenged did well
who were the most challenged did well
who were the most challenged did well the students were good students already
the students were good students already
the students were good students already improved beyond what was expected but
improved beyond what was expected but
improved beyond what was expected but the students who are the most
the students who are the most
the students who are the most marginalized the most at risk of failure
marginalized the most at risk of failure
marginalized the most at risk of failure or dropping out results increased
or dropping out results increased
or dropping out results increased exponentially and what they found out
exponentially and what they found out
exponentially and what they found out that one of the key factors was that all
that one of the key factors was that all
that one of the key factors was that all students had a high level of literacy
students had a high level of literacy
students had a high level of literacy and communication and in doing so they
and communication and in doing so they
and communication and in doing so they were able to connect with others because
were able to connect with others because
were able to connect with others because they were able to understand and
they were able to understand and
they were able to understand and communicate be communicated to but they
communicate be communicated to but they
communicate be communicated to but they were also able to express and
were also able to express and
were also able to express and communicate to others things that were
communicate to others things that were
communicate to others things that were important about them things that they
important about them things that they
important about them things that they were worried about destinations and
were worried about destinations and
were worried about destinations and pursuits that that were important to
pursuits that that were important to
pursuits that that were important to them as well and because of that they
them as well and because of that they
them as well and because of that they had a good sense of belonging and that
had a good sense of belonging and that
had a good sense of belonging and that good sense of belonging ensure that
good sense of belonging ensure that
good sense of belonging ensure that their academics increased remarkably but
their academics increased remarkably but
their academics increased remarkably but we’re in Australia we are not the UK
we’re in Australia we are not the UK
we’re in Australia we are not the UK we’re not Samuel Ward school and so our
we’re not Samuel Ward school and so our
we’re not Samuel Ward school and so our question was to say what is the
question was to say what is the
question was to say what is the transferability of these studies
transferability of these studies
transferability of these studies so it’s great that the relational
so it’s great that the relational
so it’s great that the relational schools foundation did these studies in
schools foundation did these studies in
schools foundation did these studies in the UK with with government skills how
the UK with with government skills how
the UK with with government skills how would they come across into it the
would they come across into it the
would they come across into it the Australia environment and so we invited
Australia environment and so we invited
Australia environment and so we invited dr. Rob Lowe to come out and actually
dr. Rob Lowe to come out and actually
dr. Rob Lowe to come out and actually speak to our schools and part of that we
speak to our schools and part of that we
speak to our schools and part of that we thought wouldn’t it be interesting if he
thought wouldn’t it be interesting if he
thought wouldn’t it be interesting if he brought his research tool with him and
brought his research tool with him and
brought his research tool with him and our view has been as a group of
our view has been as a group of
our view has been as a group of Christian schools and heading up those
Christian schools and heading up those
Christian schools and heading up those schools 140 of them we’ve always put
schools 140 of them we’ve always put
schools 140 of them we’ve always put forward that schools that shared the
forward that schools that shared the
forward that schools that shared the same ethos and values and ours where it
same ethos and values and ours where it
same ethos and values and ours where it was a Christian sort of ethos and values
was a Christian sort of ethos and values
was a Christian sort of ethos and values that our view was that relationship was
that our view was that relationship was
that our view was that relationship was central to what we did that we were
central to what we did that we were
central to what we did that we were communities of people coming together
communities of people coming together
communities of people coming together and rolling around that that there
and rolling around that that there
and rolling around that that there should be some kind of profound impact
should be some kind of profound impact
should be some kind of profound impact if relationship was central and his
if relationship was central and his
if relationship was central and his study said that that should make an
study said that that should make an
study said that that should make an impact the now schools who were set up
impact the now schools who were set up
impact the now schools who were set up to do that shouldn’t there be some kind
to do that shouldn’t there be some kind
to do that shouldn’t there be some kind of correlation that was there so we then
of correlation that was there so we then
of correlation that was there so we then took his findings and his research and
took his findings and his research and
took his findings and his research and remembering a take you back that’s the
remembering a take you back that’s the
remembering a take you back that’s the Samuel Ward schools results takeaway
Samuel Ward schools results takeaway
Samuel Ward schools results takeaway everybody else that’s Samuel Ward and
everybody else that’s Samuel Ward and
everybody else that’s Samuel Ward and when he came out to Australia we asked
when he came out to Australia we asked
when he came out to Australia we asked dr. Rob Lowe we said here’s a one of our
dr. Rob Lowe we said here’s a one of our
dr. Rob Lowe we said here’s a one of our skills at random that we are selecting
skills at random that we are selecting
skills at random that we are selecting for you we would like you to take that
for you we would like you to take that
for you we would like you to take that research tool
research tool
research tool all of that data and apply it to one of
all of that data and apply it to one of
all of that data and apply it to one of our Christian schools and this was the
our Christian schools and this was the
our Christian schools and this was the result the schools had nearly the
result the schools had nearly the
result the schools had nearly the identical results to schools on opposite
identical results to schools on opposite
identical results to schools on opposite side of the world ones a government
side of the world ones a government
side of the world ones a government school one’s a Christian school the
school one’s a Christian school the
school one’s a Christian school the thing that they have in common is their
thing that they have in common is their
thing that they have in common is their focus on connection community and
focus on connection community and
focus on connection community and relationship and that’s really profound
relationship and that’s really profound
relationship and that’s really profound we’re still yet to work out the
we’re still yet to work out the
we’re still yet to work out the statistic the statistical percentage of
statistic the statistical percentage of
statistic the statistical percentage of that of how close that is in terms of 35
that of how close that is in terms of 35
that of how close that is in terms of 35 different points and on that scale just
different points and on that scale just
different points and on that scale just how close those results are but isn’t
how close those results are but isn’t
how close those results are but isn’t amazing with two schools from very
amazing with two schools from very
amazing with two schools from very different backgrounds who focus on
different backgrounds who focus on
different backgrounds who focus on connection and relationship and the
connection and relationship and the
connection and relationship and the value of individuals the impact that it
value of individuals the impact that it
value of individuals the impact that it has on the results over there now
has on the results over there now
has on the results over there now the question may be well we’re doing
the question may be well we’re doing
the question may be well we’re doing from here you’ve got one school and
from here you’ve got one school and
from here you’ve got one school and you’ve compared it to the rest and I
you’ve compared it to the rest and I
you’ve compared it to the rest and I would agree with you any person who’s
would agree with you any person who’s
would agree with you any person who’s involved with statistics or research
involved with statistics or research
involved with statistics or research would say that could have been a fluke I
would say that could have been a fluke I
would say that could have been a fluke I groove you having two schools that match
groove you having two schools that match
groove you having two schools that match up but it does say to us is there
up but it does say to us is there
up but it does say to us is there something here that we should be
something here that we should be
something here that we should be investigating and to that end we’ve just
investigating and to that end we’ve just
investigating and to that end we’ve just commissioned research over 20 Christian
commissioned research over 20 Christian
commissioned research over 20 Christian schools involving 8,000 students to find
schools involving 8,000 students to find
schools involving 8,000 students to find out whether or not when a community
out whether or not when a community
out whether or not when a community comes together where they should share
comes together where they should share
comes together where they should share the same ethos and values where the
the same ethos and values where the
the same ethos and values where the whole focus upon relationship of about
whole focus upon relationship of about
whole focus upon relationship of about valuing and caring for individuals does
valuing and caring for individuals does
valuing and caring for individuals does this hold true across an entire movement
this hold true across an entire movement
this hold true across an entire movement and so those results have gone out and
and so those results have gone out and
and so those results have gone out and I’m pleased to say that not only we have
I’m pleased to say that not only we have
I’m pleased to say that not only we have about eight thousand participants we’re
about eight thousand participants we’re
about eight thousand participants we’re about close to 11,000 people who are now
about close to 11,000 people who are now
about close to 11,000 people who are now participating further than that want to
participating further than that want to
participating further than that want to take it one step further so it would be
take it one step further so it would be
take it one step further so it would be good to say people gathered around the
good to say people gathered around the
good to say people gathered around the same ethos the same value of connection
same ethos the same value of connection
same ethos the same value of connection would achieve these results the two
would achieve these results the two
would achieve these results the two communities don’t look the same and in
communities don’t look the same and in
communities don’t look the same and in that part of our group we realize that
that part of our group we realize that
that part of our group we realize that we’ve got some very different
we’ve got some very different
we’ve got some very different communities so we said what if we did
communities so we said what if we did
communities so we said what if we did then a case study of some of the more
then a case study of some of the more
then a case study of some of the more unique communities and thought how does
unique communities and thought how does
unique communities and thought how does relationship or connection change with
relationship or connection change with
relationship or connection change with them so one of them we’ve decided to do
them so one of them we’ve decided to do
them so one of them we’ve decided to do a specific case study on is an
a specific case study on is an
a specific case study on is an indigenous community how does an
indigenous community how does an
indigenous community how does an indigenous school develop relationship
indigenous school develop relationship
indigenous school develop relationship have a sense of community and its values
have a sense of community and its values
have a sense of community and its values we’re looking at a multicultural
we’re looking at a multicultural
we’re looking at a multicultural community we’re looking at a very small
community we’re looking at a very small
community we’re looking at a very small community
community
community we’re looking at a rural community and
we’re looking at a rural community and
we’re looking at a rural community and we’re looking at a community that deals
we’re looking at a community that deals
we’re looking at a community that deals with the marginalized as well and we
with the marginalized as well and we
with the marginalized as well and we want to know does the power of
want to know does the power of
want to know does the power of connection of having a shared set of
connection of having a shared set of
connection of having a shared set of values and a shared ethos overcome all
values and a shared ethos overcome all
values and a shared ethos overcome all differences and still have that positive
differences and still have that positive
differences and still have that positive impact upon students what are we hoping
impact upon students what are we hoping
impact upon students what are we hoping to find from that I believe that we will
to find from that I believe that we will
to find from that I believe that we will find differences in our school yes it’s
find differences in our school yes it’s
find differences in our school yes it’s lovely to think that every one of the
lovely to think that every one of the
lovely to think that every one of the hundred and forty schools in Christian
hundred and forty schools in Christian
hundred and forty schools in Christian schools Australia would would achieve
schools Australia would would achieve
schools Australia would would achieve the same as Samuel Ward but what I think
the same as Samuel Ward but what I think
the same as Samuel Ward but what I think we will find is that there will be
we will find is that there will be
we will find is that there will be schools that will have slight
schools that will have slight
schools that will have slight differences and when we look at that
differences and when we look at that
differences and when we look at that little mixing desk there’ll be some
little mixing desk there’ll be some
little mixing desk there’ll be some schools that do communication extremely
schools that do communication extremely
schools that do communication extremely well but we are other schools that
well but we are other schools that
well but we are other schools that students know their story and they
students know their story and they
students know their story and they school very highly and others where it’s
school very highly and others where it’s
school very highly and others where it’s not the case and our hope is then to
not the case and our hope is then to
not the case and our hope is then to have a look at the schools that are
have a look at the schools that are
have a look at the schools that are doing extremely well and to take those
doing extremely well and to take those
doing extremely well and to take those little pieces of information those
little pieces of information those
little pieces of information those little ideas or activities that they’ve
little ideas or activities that they’ve
little ideas or activities that they’ve got in their skills and start applying
got in their skills and start applying
got in their skills and start applying it to those schools that are struggling
it to those schools that are struggling
it to those schools that are struggling in those areas because for the first
in those areas because for the first
in those areas because for the first time we can say we value relationship we
time we can say we value relationship we
time we can say we value relationship we know the connection has an impact but
know the connection has an impact but
know the connection has an impact but we’ll also know how you do it as well
we’ll also know how you do it as well
we’ll also know how you do it as well and whether we get ideas from an
and whether we get ideas from an
and whether we get ideas from an indigenous community a rural community a
indigenous community a rural community a
indigenous community a rural community a little school or a city school the ideas
little school or a city school the ideas
little school or a city school the ideas of and there are ways in which they
of and there are ways in which they
of and there are ways in which they build connection and community will be
build connection and community will be
build connection and community will be important and at the end of all of this
important and at the end of all of this
important and at the end of all of this my hope is is is that wherever a student
my hope is is is that wherever a student
my hope is is is that wherever a student goes to school then rather than just
goes to school then rather than just
goes to school then rather than just focusing on NAPLAN results or their
focusing on NAPLAN results or their
focusing on NAPLAN results or their final Oh peace core or great a senior
final Oh peace core or great a senior
final Oh peace core or great a senior certificate result though they’ll
certificate result though they’ll
certificate result though they’ll actually realise that just as important
actually realise that just as important
actually realise that just as important maybe even more important are the
maybe even more important are the
maybe even more important are the connections they’re made with their
connections they’re made with their
connections they’re made with their fellow students the connections that
fellow students the connections that
fellow students the connections that maybe their teachers the connections
maybe their teachers the connections
maybe their teachers the connections they’re made with the school that they
they’re made with the school that they
they’re made with the school that they will realize that those connections give
will realize that those connections give
will realize that those connections give them an idea about who they are and when
them an idea about who they are and when
them an idea about who they are and when they know who they are
they know who they are
they know who they are when they know that they belong and have
when they know that they belong and have
when they know that they belong and have value when they are realized as well
value when they are realized as well
value when they are realized as well that they have a future
that they have a future
that they have a future that they can actually participate in
that they can actually participate in
that they can actually participate in and influence that a student will have a
and influence that a student will have a
and influence that a student will have a greater sense of satisfaction and going
greater sense of satisfaction and going
greater sense of satisfaction and going to those schools and schools will know
to those schools and schools will know
to those schools and schools will know how to facilitate that and so my hope
how to facilitate that and so my hope
how to facilitate that and so my hope theirs in a year’s time when all those
theirs in a year’s time when all those
theirs in a year’s time when all those results come back in that will have a
results come back in that will have a
results come back in that will have a few clues to be able to get students to
few clues to be able to get students to
few clues to be able to get students to connect better with each other and this
connect better with each other and this
connect better with each other and this thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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