Gagebrook Primary

How Gagebrook went completely MAD...

Gagebrook Primary first became involved with ruMAD? in 2006. Principal, John O’Rourke, and teacher Steve Robinson were instrumental in bringing ruMAD? to Gagebrook Primary School. Initially, Steve’s grade 3 students took on a small change-making activity – beautifying the local sports ground by painting sheds and planting trees donated by the local council. In 2007, the whole grade 3/4 team (4 classes) undertook to make a difference. This time the students looked further afield to understand and help children in Cambodia affected by landmines. An inquiry approach was used and work integrated across the curriculum – interviewing people, creating artworks, writing letters, circulating a petition, recording a song, organising an art auction, attending a conference and speaking publicly.

In 2008, the whole school became involved with the ruMAD? Program. As a result of a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund, Steve was given one day relief per week to focus on the program and assist other teachers in its implementation across all grades. The main focus was on increasing student engagement through positive social action. Students were encouraged to take more responsibility for their learning and thus come to deeper understandings of the community issues they tackled. The process enabled students to develop leadership, life and critical thinking skills. They became active change agents in their own community. Read more about Gagebrook's experience of ruMAD? in 2008 here! In 2009, Gagebrook students chose to make a difference for people who are less fortunate, and for animals – both native and pets. While students focussed their passionate attention on these topics, teachers concentrated on using MAD activities to improve learning outcomes across the curriculum, with a specific focus on literacy.

For more infomration and some great pictures go to: http://www.afairerworld.org/_Current_projects/gagebrook.html