Glossary of Terms

Director
Principal 

Learning Advisor or LA
The name for what most schools call a teacher. LA moves away from the notion that a teacher teaches and a student learns. We believe that everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner 

Homebase or HB
This is where a group of children are based for meetings and where they keep their things. Children choose a group of children they wish to learn with as well as an Learning Advisor. The Homebases are usually spread across 3 to 4 year levels.

The Learning Base
The school is based within a community so it is referred to as a learning base. This means that learning does not necessarily need to take place on the premises. All students are encouraged to use local resources as part of their learning.

Homebase meeting
This is a crucial part of belonging to the Discovery 1 learning community. These meetings happen for the benefit of all learners at Discovery 1 and allow for co-construction of learning. Homebases plan these meetings usually twice a term to allow for planning and information to be shared. 

Individual Education Meeting or IEM
This is the most important component of Discovery 1. This is where the child can clearly discuss their passions, interests and needs and be part of the decision making around their learning. The child, parent(s) and Learning Advisor negotiate together to create an individual learning programme that meets the needs of the child. IEMs take place on a needs basis. For most children it takes place at least once a term, but can be as regular as needed. 

Learning at Home or LAH
Families can choose to do LAH instead of coming into the homebase. Some people choose this 1x per week, others may have a LAH day every so often and some have them very rarely. It is up to each family. A  LAH form will need to be completed and given to the Learning Advisor. These forms will be available in the Homebase. Ask your child’s  Learning Advisor for a copy or one is available here (hyperlink).

Celebration of Learning or COL

This is a time when the whole school gets together and celebrates the learning that has been happening across all homebases. We usually meet three times per term on a Wednesday at 1pm at D1. Families are welcome. Dates for COL will be in the newsletter and in the website. 

Passions Interests and Needs or PINs
This programme allows for the passions, interests and needs of both children, staff and parents to be met by either outside experts or community members. Workshops are offered across the school based on advertised passions, interests and needs, community members then offer to lead, support or take part in the workshops. These are usually multi-levelled and cover a range of learning opportunities. 

Inquiry, Discovery or Co-constructed Pathway of Learning
Inquiry or personalised learning is called many things across all homebases. This is where a child or group of children investigate and explore a topic, using experts and resources that help them create a deeper understanding of the world around them.