St Brendan’s vision for learning and our understanding of children as learners is outlined below:

LEARNING

• Learning is a developmental change in understanding and behaviour that results from interaction with new ideas and knowledge.
• Learning occurs by understanding and doing and learners should be provided with opportunities to put both together.
• Learning involves action, understanding and performance.
• Learners can use a variety of approaches to learn and the best learning occurs when learners are presented with opportunities that best suit their type of intelligence.
• Intelligence can be developed and can be exhibited in many ways.
• Learning involves using language to talk about language (metalanguage)
• Learning is an active process and is a social activity
• Learning involves taking risks
• Learning is enhanced when feedback is timely, supportive, constructive and instructive
• Learning is contextual and needs prior knowledge upon which to base further learning. It takes time to learn with plenty of time for re-examination according to individual characteristics.
• Motivation is a key component in learning - learning should be interesting and challenging

LEARNERS

• Learners make their own meaning by building on knowledge and skills
• Cooperative learning skills need to be taught and developed
• Learners need to use generic learning structures
• Learners need the opportunity to express their learning in different ways which leads to craftsmanship and pride in achievement - individual attitudes and values should be acknowledged and valued
• Learners need to be equipped for a future of continuous discovery and change
• Learners need to be producers of their own knowledge and products and to be self-directed
• Learners learn in an environment where self-esteem is nurtured