St. Clement’s School has been working with New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL), a research-based association working alongside educators to help them design and implement deep learning experiences for their students. NPDL believes that there are six competencies that contribute to students being able to learn deeply: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, character, communication and citizenship.
On Tuesday at assembly, our Vice Principal, Ms Henricks, and I spoke to our community about citizenship, its meaning, and what it means to be a good citizen. We were particularly keen to highlight the importance of considering diverse perspectives and experiences as they engaged in and outside of their communities and, indeed, the world.
NPDL believes that good citizenship means “thinking like global citizens, considering global issues based on a deep understanding of diverse values and world views, and possessing a genuine interest and ability to solve ambiguous and complex real-world problems that impact human and environmental sustainability.”
There is nothing more gratifying than seeing important concepts like citizenship being enacted by our girls and others. Ms Henricks and I were not aware of what the announcements were to be the day we presented. It turned out that they couldn’t have been a better representation of what we wish for our students and our future.
One of our Eco Team Heads reminded our girls about the Climate Strike taking place on Friday and students’ option to take part. From the Head of our Indigenous Affairs Circle came a reminder about the upcoming Orange Shirt Day– a day to promote awareness about the Indian residential school system and its impact on Indigenous communities. Finally, two senior Upper Canada College students let our community know about their Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life event and asked for participating teams.
On Friday, in addition to being proud of those girls who had decided to enact their citizenship by taking part in the climate strike, we celebrated another great example of citizenship when the work on menstrual equity by SCS Alumna Tait Gamble ‘18 was published in the Globe and Mail.
At St. Clement’s, our mission is to develop outstanding women who are intellectually curious, courageous and compassionate. These are girls and young women who are learning to consider diverse perspectives and contribute to making their communities- and the world- better.
We are, indeed, seeing citizenship at work.
