Hi All
My daughter is due to start kindy next year and we wanted to enrol her in a Catholic School in Baulkham Hills. However ALL catholic primary schools that fall under Parramatta Diocese now fall under Open Learning!!! It doesn't sound appealing to me! They effectively knock down the existing wall or open the doors up between the rooms so there is a class of min 60 kids with approx 2 teachers and teachers aide. Most activites are based on group work or learning and children are separated into peer groups, interests, abilities etc.....I don't like the idea of my child being put into a class of 60....distraction? behaviour management? discipline of 60 kids? shyness? etc etc

I would love to hear your thoughts and does anyone know more about this???

I know all the catholic schools are doing this,maybe you need to reconsider the system and look at some of the great public schools or independant schools in the area.

I have called Diocese of Broken Bay re schools in Carlingford and they currently do not operate this system and from what I understood there is no plan.....I have also spoken to a few other mums under Catholic school system and there children are not under open learning system either...are you sure?

I have called Diocese of Broken Bay re schools in Carlingford and they currently do not operate this system and from what I understood there is no plan.....I have also spoken to a few other mums under Catholic school system and there children are not under open learning system either...are you sure?

all of them in the parramatta dioscese are anyway and having spoken to a friend who is a principal at one in western sydney she said they are all going that way.I know a mum whose son cries aevery day as there are too many kids he feels lost.You might have to move...

all of them in the parramatta dioscese are anyway and having spoken to a friend who is a principal at one in western sydney she said they are all going that way.I know a mum whose son cries aevery day as there are too many kids he feels lost.You might have to move...

Hi, every loving parent takes great care in making sure their child's school is just right, in fact as perfect as possible. I'm a teacher in the Parramatta Diocese, 25 years total across the three Sydney dioceses, and I have been waiting all those years for open learning! In theory what you have described is the most thoughtful way learning can be experienced by students. It reduces the amount of time a student can be off-task as the groups are smaller and engaging, the activities are much more likely to be fetched at the student's zone of proximal development than when a teacher is giving one fits all activity. I hope this helps.

Hi All
My daughter is due to start kindy next year and we wanted to enrol her in a Catholic School in Baulkham Hills. However ALL catholic primary schools that fall under Parramatta Diocese now fall under Open Learning!!! It doesn't sound appealing to me! They effectively knock down the existing wall or open the doors up between the rooms so there is a class of min 60 kids with approx 2 teachers and teachers aide. Most activites are based on group work or learning and children are separated into peer groups, interests, abilities etc.....I don't like the idea of my child being put into a class of 60....distraction? behaviour management? discipline of 60 kids? shyness? etc etc

I would love to hear your thoughts and does anyone know more about this???

Hi Tanya,

Just wondering how you went with this?? Im in the same boat now tossing up between catholic & public... I understand 200 parents recently met to discuss thier concerns about Open Learning in Catholic schools & how its effecting thier children currently being taught. Im also in the Kellyville area, Im so confused....not sure what we should do,

Hi, every loving parent takes great care in making sure their child's school is just right, in fact as perfect as possible. I'm a teacher in the Parramatta Diocese, 25 years total across the three Sydney dioceses, and I have been waiting all those years for open learning! In theory what you have described is the most thoughtful way learning can be experienced by students. It reduces the amount of time a student can be off-task as the groups are smaller and engaging, the activities are much more likely to be fetched at the student's zone of proximal development than when a teacher is giving one fits all activity. I hope this helps.

its hard for shy kindy kids to be in a class with 90 other kids, 2 teachers and 1-2 aides is not suitable for all kids imo.

Our Lady of Lourdes in Baulkham Hills does not use Open Learning. Their classrooms are very traditional... and the school is small and friendly. It can be difficult to get a kindy place if you don't live in the catchment area though.

Also, open learning is usually 60 children with 2 teachers working as a team. I have taught at schools that use this approach, and as with any educational method, there are points for and against, in my opinion.

Good luck with your choice!

Hi All
My daughter is due to start kindy next year and we wanted to enrol her in a Catholic School in Baulkham Hills. However ALL catholic primary schools that fall under Parramatta Diocese now fall under Open Learning!!! It doesn't sound appealing to me! They effectively knock down the existing wall or open the doors up between the rooms so there is a class of min 60 kids with approx 2 teachers and teachers aide. Most activites are based on group work or learning and children are separated into peer groups, interests, abilities etc.....I don't like the idea of my child being put into a class of 60....distraction? behaviour management? discipline of 60 kids? shyness? etc etc

I would love to hear your thoughts and does anyone know more about this???

My Daughter (9) and Son (6) currently at st. monica's which is an open planning learning centre. We have just been notified that they have expected 48 kindy kids for 2012, which is 16 more than last year.... a lot of people are not happy. Space and noise is going to be a huge issue for ME! Open learning is for kids that have no behavioral issues and are switched on.

My personal opinion is the noise level is way to high, I see kids walking around the class room doing nothing 60 kids in one room and no barriers not a good system.

Currently looking at other alternatives, Public schools are looking good at the moment.

Good Luck with your research.

Hi All
My daughter is due to start kindy next year and we wanted to enrol her in a Catholic School in Baulkham Hills. However ALL catholic primary schools that fall under Parramatta Diocese now fall under Open Learning!!! It doesn't sound appealing to me! They effectively knock down the existing wall or open the doors up between the rooms so there is a class of min 60 kids with approx 2 teachers and teachers aide. Most activites are based on group work or learning and children are separated into peer groups, interests, abilities etc.....I don't like the idea of my child being put into a class of 60....distraction? behaviour management? discipline of 60 kids? shyness? etc etc

I would love to hear your thoughts and does anyone know more about this???

I really hope Our Lady of Lourdes doesnt use it...I just can't get my head around any benefits really. I just think that we teach our kids at home from 0-5yrs in a repetitive routine driven way..and we aim to give as much attention as possible to cater for each and every one of their needs - how is this possible with open learning? How can you get across each and every child..I always hear teachers saying how difficult it is to get to children with the intensity of the current curriculum with classroom sizes of 25..how are they going to do it with 60??? I'm off to see the school in the New Year..so fingers crossed I am impressed..