In early August, I visited Aspect SES Loftus School to learn more about how the school operates day-to-day. The campus is proudly connected to the Koomurri people, with wall hangings in the office area reflecting this connection.
Principal Joanne Tisdell kindly gave me a tour, starting with the Kindergarten to Year 2 demountable classrooms. Each class has 6–8 students, and I was warmly welcomed by both teachers and students. It was so inspiring to see the learning environment up close.
I was especially curious about the new high school campus the school is planning. Joanne showed me the site where it will be built: a U-shaped layout with a hall, classrooms and a library. When I asked if it would run from Years 7–12, Joanne explained that students can attend Aquinas College Menai for Years 7–10, then transition back to Loftus for Years 11 and 12. The college will offer opportunities, pathways, and engagement for students.
Wanting to understand more about how schools prepare for major works, I asked Joanne what needs to be considered when planning civil works in a school environment. She explained the importance of carefully scheduling noisy activities, individualising support where needed, giving families and staff plenty of notice and creating a bank of strategic activities for students.
I also asked about the Aspect Learning in Collaboration (ALIC) program, which has been running for 2½ years with Dr Lyn Sharratt. Joanne explained that all classrooms are now using high-impact teaching and learning strategies and the school has become more data-informed. Parent engagement in learning has always been strong but it has grown even further since ALIC began.
During our chat, I noticed an Elmo doll on display. Joanne told me that red is the school colour and Elmo is proudly their mascot.
Reflecting on my visit, I came away with a deep appreciation for how much planning and collaboration goes into supporting each student. It really does take a village to raise a child and at Aspect SES Loftus, that village is thriving.
