Students are encouraged to shine bright at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar thanks to the school’s innovative Diamond Education Model.
Four years ago, the school developed a world-leading Diamond Education Model, which SMBG principal Dr Annette Rome says provides students with the best of all worlds when it comes to tailoring teaching and learning in ways that cater for the different needs of boys and girls.
The school is co-educational during the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program offered through the Early Learning Centre and the Junior School, which helps the younger students develop positive relationships with the opposite sex.
In year 7, SMBG students study at dedicated campuses; the girls at Berwick and the boys at Officer.
In senior years there are cross-campus socio-emotional learning opportunities with boys and girls coming together to participate in house events, debating, performing arts and camps.
In VCE students of both genders are brought together for learning and activities, which allows the school to offer a wide range of VCE subjects, while also preparing students for the next step in their lives as respectful young adults.
Dr Rome said the Diamond Model “honours all that we know about single-gender education“ and builds on the decades of research carried out into co-education which shows that there are subtle differences in the learning and support needs of boys and girls. For example, boys typically have shorter attention spans and benefit from practical teaching methods. Girls typically have longer attention spans but often lack confidence in their own abilities, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects.
“The Diamond Model allows students to develop as strong empowered young women and as good men and yet still have opportunities to be with each other in a controlled environment,“ Dr Rome explained.
“There is a lot of evidence, particularly around adolescent girls, that their ability to learn subjects like maths and science is advanced in a single sex environment. Having worked for many years in girls’ schools and many years in co-ed schools, the Diamond Model to me is the ideal model which is why we introduced it.”
Under the Diamond Model students are unaffected by traditional gender stereotypes with more girls choosing STEM subjects and more boys feeling empowered to take up creative subjects and get involved in the performing arts.
Equally important is the reuniting of students during the final years of their secondary educational journey for some shared learning.
“At the senior end of the school there are some shared classes which I believe promote a healthy pre-tertiary environment,“ Dr Rome said.
“The benefits of having the capacity to interact as respectful young people is maximised, academic opportunities are broader and also the learning opportunities are richer having a broader variety of perspectives at the senior end of school.
“It really does prepare young people for university and also teaches and emphasises respect.
“The other benefit is that throughout the whole school journey the girls and boys can interact and learn about themselves and each other through social and emotional learning opportunities. For example there are shared orchestras, choirs, productions, some camps and service learning which is what we call community service.“
The Diamond Model is unique to SMBG. Other schools have approached Dr Rome keen to learn the secrets to the model’s success.
Dr Rome said the Diamond Model has been embraced positively by the teaching staff and SMBG families.
“Because we have staff who work across both schools, the experience and understanding of the whole school is much stronger and it means a lot of systems and processes are closely aligned.
“It teaches everyone an understanding of boys and girls and to appreciate the strength of both cohorts,” she said.
“The Diamond Model has been completely energising for students and staff. We involve the students a lot in decision making and the kids have responded very positively.”
She added parents were also supportive of the model, which allows their children to be taught in ways that best suits their gender while ensuring they share the same core SMBG values.
St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar’s vision is to ’strive to be our best, now and in the future, for the enrichment of all and the planet“.
Dr Rome and her staff believe the Diamond Model is the best way to help all students succeed and achieve the school’s vision.
