The Korowa Independent Fellowship (KIF) offers one staff member each year the opportunity to attend a major conference or short course, typically outside traditional professional development channels. Covering the entire cost, the fellowship allows recipients to immerse themselves in transformative learning experiences, often overseas, gaining insights that enhance both their personal and professional growth. By investing in this fellowship, we ensure that our staff return with fresh perspectives to share and strengthen our school community. Kerry Irvine, Early Years Coordinator and a long-serving Junior School teacher, was recently awarded the KIF, which took her to Italy to visit the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre in Reggio Emilia. This renowned institution is the heart of the Reggio Emilia Approach, a progressive educational philosophy that views children as competent, curious, and capable learners. In her presentation to staff recently, Kerry shared her key learnings from the experience and how Reggio Emilia’s principles can be applied at Korowa.
Building a Stronger Community
Kerry’s experience reinforced the importance of community in education. At the Loris Malaguzzi Centre, education is about creating collaborative spaces where everyone, all staff and students, actively contribute to the learning process. While Korowa already excels in fostering a close-knit community, Kerry challenged us to think about how we can further strengthen this connection, ensuring every member is empowered to contribute meaningfully to the educational experience.
Lifelong Learning in Dynamic Spaces
The Reggio Emilia Centre also inspired Kerry with its dynamic, child-driven, research-based learning environments, where the children themselves are the researchers. These spaces encourage creativity, critical thinking, and exploration, extending beyond the classroom into open areas that invite discovery. Kerry emphasised the importance of teachers having the freedom to experiment and evolve their practices, just as we encourage our students to explore and grow. This philosophy of continuous inquiry and growth aligns with Korowa’s commitment to lifelong learning for both students and staff.
Empowering Student Voice and Leadership
Another key takeaway was the emphasis on student voice. In Reggio Emilia, students are not just passive participants - they are active contributors, engaging in discussions and teaching one another. Kerry highlighted how important it is for both students and teachers to have space to share ideas, reflect, and collaborate. This shared learning experience fosters mutual respect and ensures that everyone’s perspective is valued. Kerry also reflected on how we can better equip our students to think critically about the world, develop leadership skills, and engage with complex global issues such as sustainability and peace. Kerry’s experience with the Korowa Independent Fellowship reignited her passion for learning, offering invaluable insights that will shape our future approach to education. By prioritising community, student voice, leadership, and lifelong learning, we ensure Korowa remains a place where everyone thrives and shapes a bold future together.
