Philosophy of Learning
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Hastings
At St Mary’s, our philosophy of learning is grounded in our Catholic identity and the belief that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. We honour the dignity, diversity, and unique potential of each student, nurturing the development of the whole child—spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus, we aim to cultivate learners who live with hope, inspiration, and compassion. We strive to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where students are known, valued, and supported to grow in both mind and heart.
As Pope Francis reminded us:
“Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life.”
(Pope Francis, Address to Educators, 2014)
At St Mary’s, we see learning as a sacred partnership between students, families, and educators. We encourage students to be curious, to wonder, to explore, and to think deeply about the world around them—developing meaning and understanding that connects learning to life.
Our approach is guided by the MACS Vision for Instruction, which centres on:
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Challenging all learners through high expectations and purposeful tasks
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Explicitly teaching with clarity, modelling, and timely feedback
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Deliberate practice to deepen knowledge and skill over time
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Knowing our impact, using evidence and data to guide improvement
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Creating classrooms where every student is engaged, empowered, and achieving
Through the consistent use of explicit instruction, combined with rich learning experiences and inquiry, our students build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking. We are committed to ensuring every child can achieve success and flourish in their learning.
We believe in:
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Promoting access and equity so that all learners are supported
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Developing students as active participants and leaders in their learning
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Providing the Know, Do, and Be of learning so our students grow as confident, creative, and compassionate contributors to their world
At St Mary’s, learning is a journey of growth—shaped by faith, guided by excellence, and lived in community.