A Catholic school in NSW’s Southern Highlands has officially adopted a four-day in-person week for senior students.
Chevalier College in Burradoo confirmed to 9news.com.au it would permanently allow older students to learn from home one day a week after it successfully trialled “flipped learning”.
The flexible learning structure will allow senior students to learn remotely one day a week, while all students will take part in self-regulated education on Mondays.
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The new four-day week of traditional learning is called “Best Use of Time, Flipped Monday”.
“The Chevalier College Board has officially concluded the trial phase of the ‘Best Use of Time, Flipped Monday’ initiative,” the school said in a statement.
“After thoughtful consideration, the Board endorses its integration as a permanent feature of Chevalier College’s ‘Future Facing’ educational strategy.”
It followed a trial period between February and July this year to research the benefits of remote and self-regulated learning led by Dr Phil Cummins.
Chevalier College said the unconventional structure will “equip students with the skills and mindset required for success in an evolving world”.
A report by the school said some parents were “pleased” with the impact of the four-day week on their children.
These were mostly parents of year 10, 11 and 12 students.
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Other parents, however, raised concern about how younger students would struggle with the change in structure.
“My son finds it boring and is not enthusiastic, though does manage the workload,” one parent said in feedback to the school.
“I really love the idea of future facing learning and being independent. It’s fantastic. I just don’t think it’s great for the younger years or those with special needs,” another noted.
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In response, the school decided to allow remote learning one day a week for senior students and “self-regulation” on Mondays instead of planned lessons for junior students.
“The integration of Future Facing initiatives, including the ‘Best Use of Time, Flipped Monday’ program, represents a vital step in preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of this rapidly changing world,” principal Greg Miller said.
Chevalier College is one of several Australian schools to trial flexible study for students.
In 2023, Queensland public schools were given the green light to introduce four-day weeks and shorter days.
And in 2022, then NSW premier Dominic Perrottet said the state government would trial new hours in a pilot program after noting the traditional 9am-3pm model “doesn’t work”.
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