Activity 2: Current issues in my professional context
The socioeconomic status of the community,
Our school selects boys from good families who are experiencing financial or personal hardship, regardless of their race or ethnicity. They’re offered a life-changing scholarship, which includes free tuition, free boarding and free music and sports lessons (in fact, almost everything is funded by the Trust).
As most of the boys come from families with financial and personal hardship, the characteristics of the community, is one of immense gratitude. Parents care deeply about giving their boy a great education and are therefore willing to give up their son to boarding from Sunday evening through until Friday afternoon. They count this as being given the opportunity of a lifetime, to have their son selected to attended a fully funded boarding school. They see it as a privilege and an opportunity, not only for their son to attend, but also an opportunity to better their situation, whether that be to work full time or study, or to assist them in better managing their life in some way.
Statistically, over half of our students come from Pacifica families, approximately another quarter from Maori families and the rest from European and Asian cultures. As the school is a based on the Anglican faith, the community must be open and accepting of the Christian faith, which has been passed on from the school’s founder.
The school strives to transform the lives of these boys on their journey to becoming good and useful young men in their communities. It is a holistic approach; based on care and respect, valuing academic achievement, learning to get on with others, and healthy life choices.
The key to the success of the school is having a team of people made up of specialist staff dedicated to attend to the ‘all round needs’ of the boys. This team consists of boarding staff, kitchen staff, clothing staff, grounds staff, teaching staff, and a management team that has a vision for 21st Century learning.
Issues around the socioeconomic status of the community, the school culture and professional environments.
As a private boarding school in Central Auckland, our point of difference is our socioeconomic status. Statistically, our academic results have been noteworthy and higher than schools of a similar socio-economic status. There are a number of factors that contribute to this. The students are offered many advantages that come with boarding and a significantly well funded scholarship (worth around $35000 per year). They have many opportunities to succeed, in academic, cultural, sporting and musical areas. All students are given free musical tuition for an instrument of their choice. Their diet ensures they eat regular healthy meals. Routines in the boarding house also ensure boys have plenty of sleep and opportunities for extra tuition and homework.
The school’s Trust Board, made up of eminent old boys and businessman, along with the management team ensure all boys leave the School with a good education and with dignity.
‘As many have often said, it is not the fine buildings and the matchless facilities, which are most important, but rather what goes on within them. The school motto, Firmiter et fideliter, encapsulates the qualities so dear to the Founder: steadfastness, perseverance, loyalty and ambition. To the extent that its products exhibit any or all of these, Dilworth is no longer just a unique school; it is a great school. Thousands of miles from the Founder’s homeland the results of his life and the generosity of his spirit live on; a ‘heritage in trust’ for generations yet unborn. This is the legacy of Dilworth.’
The school’s culture is based on tradition and pride in their community. Dilworth boys are often credited for their manners, their dress and deportment, their sportsmanship and respect for others.
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI really, really enjoyed reading your blog. Based on what I have read I would love to teach in a school like yours. What an incredible opportunity/gift you offer. I love that your school's approach is such a holistic one, and that you don't just want 'educate' these boys but 'transform their lives' - how exciting! And from a music teacher who tries to squeeze as many kids into the free recorder and ukulele lessons we offer each year, how unique to offer every boy free music lessons!
I like too that your school is in a low socioeconomic area and many of your students are 'in the same boat'. I know of a young man who grew up in a deprived area and attended the primary school I now teach in. He won a sports scholarship to a prestigious secondary school. But he soon found he couldn't keep up with his new peers. Their homes, cars, clothes and holidays abroad. He started stealing to raise the funds he needed to try and keep up with his classmates. Because your scholarship is so generous and all inclusive I wonder if you have ever seen this?
I can relate to the high expectations you have of your students despite their financial situation. Your expect them to achieve academically, to have good manners, dress well and conduct themselves appropriately and with pride. While we can't offer what you school does, we do our very best to meet as many of our students' needs as we can and have high expectations of them. We also have a good reputation in our community, one of academic and sporting success.
What an incredible difference you are making in these boys' lives.
Victoria Brookland