Key leaders of learning and Ignatian coordinators from Jesuit and companion schools in Australia were engaged in a four-day workshop, Learning by Refraction: A Practitioner’s Guide to 21st Century Ignatian Pedagogy, at St Peter Canisius House, Pymble, Australia from the 23 to 27 February.
The workshop was organised by Jesuit Education Australia and facilitated by Fr Johnny Go SJ, co-author of a book by the same name, and currently the Director of the Ateneo de Manila Institute for the Science and Art of Learning and Teaching (SALT), Education Secretary of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, and Assistant for Mission and Identity of the International Commission on the Apostolate of Jesuit Education.
Consistent with the original approach of the Jesuits to education, the workshop provided an opportunity to look at the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) through the use of best 21st century practices and creative new ideas in order to strengthen engagement through reflection and promote excellence through action. The approach was Reflective Practice, always beginning with the participants contextualising the different ideas and concepts in their schools as they reflected on their own teaching practice.
“The workshop informed my understanding of how the IPP encompasses contemporary learning,” shared Sharon McLean of St Ignatius Riverview. “The sessions on the first provided the big picture of the ‘why’ and the sessions on Reflection and Action provided the ‘how’ and they focused on the deeper intentions of both Reflection and Action. The workshops have provided the opportunity to use the previous iteration of IPP as building blocks for this re-imagining of the IPP and to enable teachers to develop students’ critical thinking, depth, and excellence.”
Annette Chidsey of St Ignatius Geelong also found the sessions on reflection and action “particularly helpful in terms of providing ways to transform Ignatian learning and teaching for the school”. The presentations on Ignatian Excellence and Wonder by Fr Ross Jones, Rector of St Aloysius Sydney, were “enriching, especially in unpacking Ignatian excellence as this is one of the four school values we have chosen to distinguish St Ignatius College Geelong as we grow and develop our school,” she said.
“If people were disgruntled with the ‘old’ IPP, Fr Johnny has given it plenty of ideas for renewal,” shared Anthony Wentsell of St Ignatius Adelaide.
Jennifer Walker of St Aloysius Sydney added: “[I used to think that] the IPP was primarily in the RE (Religious Education) domain. Now I am enlightened to know that it is at the core of quality teaching and learning and curriculum implementation.”
“I would like more of our Heads of Learning to attend our next meeting to listen and partake in our conversation and journey,” shared Suzanne Pola of Loyola College Watsonia.
Learning by Refraction: A Practitioner’s Guide to 21st-Century Ignatian Pedagogy by Fr Johnny C Go SJ and Rita J Atienza may be ordered and purchased through the Ateneo de Manila University Press. A Kindle version is also available on Amazon. [Jesuit Education Asia Pacific]
Jennie Hickey is the Executive Officer of Jesuit Education Australia. She presented on Globalisation and Building Reconciliation during the workshop.