A school must act as a lighthouse

At the upper end of possibility, a school can act as a lighthouse for society, providing direction and guidance, because each child is potentially the light of the world, a future conscious and proactive member of society.

All the greatest educators are able to envisage the highest levels of human possibility. They have an almost uncanny knack to hold exceptionally high, ‘off the graph’ possibilities in one hand while diligently checking spelling and inventing clapping games that help reinforce the multiplication tables.

Here are three visionary educators –

Dame Marie Clay, the New Zealand educator who developed the Reader Recovery program is acknowledged by her peers as

A world-class scholar, researcher, and visionary educator, who has inspired scholars, regenerated teachers, and touched the lives of children in all parts of the globe. She has been an unwavering advocate for world literacy, and her program, Reading Recovery, taught in all English speaking countries has been translated into many world languages.

Marie Clay

Dr Maria Montessori established a teaching method now taught in thousands of schools world-wide. She said,

• The teacher's skill in not interfering comes with practice, like everything else, but it never comes easily. It means rising to spiritual heights. True spirituality realizes that even to help can be a source of pride.
• Our goal is not so much the imparting of knowledge as the unveiling and developing of spiritual energy.
• We must help the child to act for himself, will for himself, think for himself; this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit.

Dr Maria Montessori

Gemma Sisia is a visionary educator.

Whoever said there is no such thing as an ugly child must have been thinking of African children.

By simply donning the St Jude’s uniform, a child’s persona changes from quiet and shy to proud and confident with head held high. This is one of the most rewarding parts of admitting new students. It’s wonderful to see the joy on their faces and their parents’, and know we’re in this community together for the long haul, all the way through to the end of secondary school.

Gemma Sisia

Visionary educators don’t teach to minimums, instead they point towards the highest possibilities of human endeavour.

I encourage you to reach for higher possibilities and lend your support to the School of St Jude.




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