Phillip Island Travel Guide Mentor Project (from left): Savannah, Cruz, Oscar, Saoirse, Claire, Isis and Isla collecting information for their travel guide.
PIVS Classic Mentor Project. Students finishing the biathlon event together (from left): Kayta, Cleo, Louise, Rhian, Kodi, Eva, Avalon, Saoirse, Kane and Isla.
Within the Tides Mentor Project. Students studying the intertidal zone at Kitty Miller Bay.
Dino Science: Explorasaurus. Mentor Project. Students visiting Tom’s Dinosaur Garden at Crystal World Exhibition Centre (from left): Avalon, Kayta, Leo, Milo, Finn, Cruz, Nick (Mentor), Kane, Harry and Jonah.
Creativity, innovation and autonomy are at the heart of our project- based learning program.
In the Allstars (middle and older years) program at Phillip Island Village School (PIVS), we have a strong focus on project-based learning (PBL). PBL has an emphasis on the development of enterprise skills including communication, teamwork, creative thinking, financial literacy, problem solving and presentation skills.
In addition, we encourage the use of a growth mindset approach to learning; seeing all personal qualities and skills as able to change and develop through effort and practise, rather than being “fixed”.
This approach values trying new things, taking creative risks and seeing mistakes as a chance to learn.
“Wherever possible in our Allstars program, we provide opportunities for students to choose their own learning opportunities and pathways, and to explore their sparks in the process,” explains principal, Jo Huckett.
“The aim of these experiences is for the student(s) to feel a sense of empowerment around the direction of their learning and ultimately to feel fulfilled during the process of exploring what sparks them.”
Students undertake both individual and small group personal projects based on their own interests, and also larger group mentor projects, led by a teacher mentor. Mentor projects are group endeavours that integrate multiple areas of the Victorian Curriculum such as science, art and humanities.
Projects co-ordinator Nick Kirby explains.
“Both personal and mentor projects are supported by the same project planning, testing, reviewing and reflection process.
“The PIVS project planner is used to guide the students through the steps of the project process to help scaffold their learning, and over time, to apply this knowledge to their personal projects.”
Mentor projects run all year round, with different topics offered every two cycles. Mentors make a project pitch to the students, and students choose which option resonates with them the most, with group sizes dependent on student choice.
With a mixed age profile, and a range of executive skill development in each group, there is lots of opportunity to learn from other students as well as from mentors.
