Project Based Learning Launch 2017

This year to kick Project Based Learning, we thought to have a big and exciting Launch. It would run differently to the 2016 Launch where myself and 3 colleagues shared topics the students could choose. No, this years was going to have LIGHTS, DJ, GUEST SPEAKERS and LOLLIES! It would have the feel of your typical New Age Christian Churches Youth Service, only without the Sermon! 

The goal was to inspire our students! Get them excited for PBL!

The idea came from one of the PBL work days myself and two colleagues had to set everything up. We were asked if there would be balloons and then that sparked something for me. What if we had people come in, not teachers, but people doing work in communities. Then from there it was all go.

My colleague and I contacted people we knew, this made it easier to organise the guest speakers. The DJ was the hard part, a close friend pulled out so I had to hire one. Thankfully our Principle who had given us the time and resources we needed to run PBL, pulled through on the cost of the DJ. 

The Launch ran smoothly, some really enjoyed it, some did not. But overall it was something that we can grow and run better next year. I was very proud of the work we done and pleased students responded to the speakers we had come in. Matt Brown, Sarah Brown and Bruce McFarlane came in and spoke about their passions. 

What went well
Lollies were a hit (Of course they were, its a sugar hit in the morning)

Matt Brown, an ex-Hornby pupil who does amazing hair art. His words about finding their WHY was impressive 

The DJ added a wow factor to our students 

The video on "Starting Each Day Making Your Bed" was great

Work-ons
Getting students fully engaged for the whole time 

A range of speakers that our students can relate to - Bruce's work was amazing but his message was lost on most students 

Were all our students inspired, no, so what can we do to reach them?

I am thankful for the support from colleagues and our Senior Management, I really am looking forward to building on this for 2018 IF given the opportunity.