Here at Shearwater, we offer our Year 12 students an alternative pathway to the HSC. The Shearwater Certificate provides students with the freedom to create a unique learning experience for themselves by developing a particular passion and creating a project of personal interest - a courageous and rewarding path. This year we had six students complete their Shearwater Certificate.
The learning that comes out of undertaking a year-long project, and the skills these students have developed will serve them well. They have learnt things no text book can teach and no exam can assess: how to communicate clearly, to think critically, to problem solve, to ask for help when it’s needed, to get up and keep going when things are hard, to support others and work together and, perhaps most importantly, to believe in themselves.
Last Wednesday Ashta Hall-Hart, Bodhi Hallas, Venus Herbert, Ean Lott, Nelle Lovatt and Chloe Oliver transformed the School Hall with their visual displays and took to the stage to talk about their projects and the year-long journey. There were circus routines and costumes, an eco-friendly surf wear brand, a tattoo design installation, a collection of clothes, jewellery and ceramics, an online vintage clothing business and an EP of original songs.
We had a very small audience this year due to COVID restrictions. But the students were inspiring as they spoke about their individual journeys which had in common: the struggle to maintain motivation, the challenges of COVID and their pride in bringing their projects to completion.
Year 12 is challenging at the best of times but this year has been particularly difficult and we congratulate and celebrate these wonderful Shearwater graduates.
“Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility – these three forces are the very nerve of education.” Rudolf Steiner
Anna Delzoppo
Visual Art & Design Teacher