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The Junior Preparatory Faculty
From Left: Lee-ann Steynberg (Head of ICT Academic Integration),
Tanya Dean (Principal)
“Imagination is not only the uniquely
human capacity to envision that which
is not, and, therefore, the foundation of
all invention and innovation. In its
arguably most transformative and
revelatory capacity, it is the power that
enables us to empathise with
humans whose experiences we
have never shared.”
J.K. Rowling
The imagination is the most powerful learning tool
we can encourage a child to explore. It holds new
possibilities, adventures unknown and the safety to probe
the promises of the future.
The Wright brothers imagined the feeling of soaring
through the air, Thomas Edison imagined listening to
music in his own home, Jacques Cousteau imagined
breathing whilst exploring the depths of the seas.
At Parklands College we promote not only the
acquisition of knowledge, but also the flourish and
preservation of the innate qualities of a child: curiosity
and imagination. We are constantly cognisant of the real
necessity to prepare our young learners for a world which
requires innovative solutions, outside-the-box thinking,
creativity in its many forms and ideas that challenge old
notions.
On stepping into the classrooms of the Junior
Preparatory, one can only be struck by a sense of wonder
when observing our young learners grappling with new
concepts and learning material, responding critically
and collaboratively to real life contexts and problems,
and exploring digital worlds within their comfort zone of
technology. Our educators have embraced a 21st
century mind shift in education and lessons are
engaging and interactive, probing the minds and
hearts of our future leaders. Their imaginary toolkits
of storytelling and story making, and their ability to
create images that provide a depth to the learning
experience, are clearly evident in the ‘Aha’ moments
of realisation so often present when visiting these
multi-faceted classroom environments.
Imagination fosters an appreciation and empathy
for the diversity of others. In our commitment to the
holistic education of each child, we have sought
to impart core values and develop the capacity to
imagine the reality of others. Numerous outreach
projects undertaken throughout the year have
instilled a shared dignity, respect and commitment
to the universality of being human. Our heartfelt
gratitude is extended to our Parklands families, whose
generosity and support have enabled us to make a
transformative influence in the community.
We have watched with pride as skill and imagination
have interwoven, unleashing a power of possibilities
in the numerous sporting codes and individual
achievements of our talented children.
As our learners prepare to embark on a new
educational journey, we ready ourselves to watch in awe
as these young innovators explore creative possibilities.
In the words of Albert Einstein,
“Imagination is everything. It is the
preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Tanya Dean and
Lee-ann Steynberg
