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The development of a Learning Centre for all Year 7 students is a result of receiving over seven hundred thousand dollars from the Leading Schools Fund coupled with school funds.
It is our aim for the centre to provide the highest quality education, using the latest technology and innovative teaching methodology. The centre will be open-plan, allowing different styles of teaching and learning to take place, free of the restrictions of the traditional classroom.
Facilities include several interactive whiteboards, video and audio recording, editing and presenting facilities and the latest computer stations and peripherals.
Why did we call the centre 'The Lyceum'?
In September it was announced that our new learning centre had been named ‘The Lyceum’. This was a result of discussing several ideas from students, staff and parents and deciding that Lyceum was the most appropriate.
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The Lyceum is historically regarded as the first modern-style school where students came to a special building to learn. It was a large hall-like structure rather than a series of small rooms (similar to our new building) where teachers lectured and debated with students.
Students were encouraged to learn in various styles (e.g. Aristotle used to walk around the corridors with his students while debating), just as we are encouraging here at MGC. The alternative definition of Lyceum as a hall also alludes to the fact that our new building was formerly the school hall. |
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The School of Athens by Raphael |
The word ‘lyceum’ (or similar) is used in several, mostly European, countries for educational institutions. For example:
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Greece & Cyprus: The word lyceum is in use for secondary education upper secondary classes
France: The French word for an upper secondary school, lycée, derives from Lyceum.
Finland: Lyseo e.g. Helsinki Normal Lyseo educates students in grades 7-12
Italy: Liceo are certain types of secondary schools: e.g. liceo classico specializing in classical studies.
Malta: Junior lyceums refer to secondary education state owned schools.
Philippines: The Lyceum is a university located in Manila (Lyceum of the Philippines University)
Turkey: Lise is the final part of pre-university education. |
The School Council set some criteria for the centre’s name:
1. The name has significance relating to education.
2. The name is inspirational.
3. The name evokes a positive image.
4. The name is easy to say.
It was clear that Lyceum was the suggestion that best fitted all these criteria. Thank you to the many, many people that submitted ideas and had discussions about possible names.
Simon Townley
Assistant Principal |
