Head’s Blog: Unmarked and often Unseen Learning

I recently read a piece in a publication with a focus on accelerating and amplifying learning, entitled, The Learning that Happens when no one is grading it. Elements of this article are shared in this blog. 

As I progressed through the piece, I was struck by the volume of learning that I witness throughout our school that goes unseen if you are not looking for it, and is not marked or overtly assessed. It highlighted that one of the key attributes of our school is the learning that takes place when no grades are attached and no credential is promised. This learning is deeply meaningful and abundant at Matthews Hall. 

Moving around the school, visiting classrooms, spending time in the Atrium and engaging with students during lunch allows me to see people creating, practicing skills, supporting one another, finding community and sharing their thinking. It was a reminder that deep learning does not always need to start with systems or tools. As expressed in the article, it can start with curiosity, identity and the freedom to explore. 

Great schools will get this right by creating space and time for curiosity to be explored and shared. They get this right by understanding that learning often happens in the spaces between structure. They achieve this by recognizing that opportunities and trusted spaces for expression, along with the resilience developed through practice and the confidence gained from small interactions, compound over time. 

This is what I see at Matthews Hall. We are a great school. Our value is found in the depth of what we offer; numerous and varied co-curriculars that surpass the typical, a participatory community, nurturing modern spaces, a challenging and well supported learning journey, and trusted adults who appreciate and understand that great learning moments happen all around us each day.  

The article goes on to say that the future of learning, “will be shaped by creating space for learners to explore, struggle productively and discover who they are becoming along the way.” That statement summarizes the Matthews Hall of today, and as we soon turn some attention to the future and the re-registration period, it is empowering to recognize that the value in our learning journey is enduring.  

Christopher White Head of School