The Learning Environment

​The multi-age classroom
Good Shepherd Lutheran School adopts both single and multi-age classes.  Our classroom structures support our understanding of how and where students learn best. 

• Teachers concentrate and celebrate what children can do, rather than what they can’t do. This reduces fear of failure and builds confidence.
• Competition is minimised within the classroom.  Acknowledging difference reduces the desire to make comparisons with other children and as a result, children are always ready to ‘have a go’.
• Children are allowed to make choices and express themselves in many ways. Creative activities are common.
• Children’s ideas are welcomed and can be tried out. This builds self-esteem and promotes learning.
• Freedom of choice and exploration of many ideas, makes learning an exciting and real part of children’s lives.
• From year one, children enter a class where there are older children, so settling in is much easier.  Older children are often delighted to help younger ones, and this helps them to feel worthwhile and important. 
• Children mix freely and are encouraged to work and play together. They learn the joys of cooperation, which leads to good citizenship.

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