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22 August 2018

posted 21 Aug 2018, 19:38 by Carolyn Brett   [ updated 21 Aug 2018, 19:38 by Stephanie Williams ]
The Character Strength of Creativity's definition is: Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualise and do things. The Character Strengths with the highest correlation to Creativity are Curiosity, Bravery, Perspective, Zest and Judgement / Critical Thinking. Interestingly enough, research highlights that Creativity is one of the most common strengths in young children (of which we have 211!), is enhanced by supportive, open, informal and reinforcing environments (well, that certainly sounds like us!) (from Ryan Niemic, VIA)

Sir Ken Robinson, the champion of the importance of creativity in education, talks about the need for all children to have a creative outlet. Here are some of his thoughts:
  • Creative intelligence is dynamic, it’s diverse and it’s distinct.
  • Creativity is as important as literacy and we should treat it with the same significance. 
  • More and more children are educated out of taking risks and they become numb to trying and failing before they succeed. 
  • We need to teach them to be prepared to be wrong and to be original. 
  • The world is becoming more and more dynamic and the ability to be adaptable is now a valued commodity. 
  • Creative intelligence generates the perfect skill set which we need to equip young people with so that they can navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable world. 
So, the stars aligned this week and you have witnessed an explosion of creativity, imagination, curiosity and evaluation through the Arts on Wednesday and will again tonight on Thursday evening. Our Positive Education model - positive purpose, positive accomplishment, positive emotion, positive relationships and positive health have also all been paid close attention. This demonstrates our whole child philosophy well....... but it is important to embed the fact that creativity is not just about the Arts - it needs to be recognised and promoted across everything.

As Professor Guy Claxton wrote: ‘‘Creativity is not just about music and art, etc; it is an attitude to life, one that everyone needs.’’

That's certainly an attitude we want to nurture in our children - especially when we think of the world they will one day be living, working in and contributing to. We aren't educating for the world we adults work in any longer. It's moving fast and we want them to be ready!

Teachers, support staff and parents who helped bring the Arts Celebration 2018 to fruition - your energy and creativity has been very much appreciated. Thank you for your role modelling and finding joy in the tricky moments!

School is closed tomorrow for mid-term break..... maybe practise 5 finger breathing so we are ready to roll, with aplomb, Monday!
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