“Learning Huddles” reflect GVL’s learner-centred approach, fostering collaboration among learners, guides, and parent/carers. “Huddle” evokes teamwork, connection, and dynamic interaction, creating a space for reflection, growth, and future planning. Aligned with GVL’s values of autonomy, action, and mastery, these meetings promote continuous development and empower learners to thrive.
Learning Huddles are 20-30 minute collaborative sessions held every five weeks. These meetings bring together the learner, their guide, and parent/carers to reflect on progress, set goals, and plan next steps. A core feature is the integration of a Learner Profile and Portfolio, offering a snapshot of the learner’s skills, achievements, and areas for growth across GVL’s developmental hubs.
The Learner Profile highlights key aspects such as:
1. Core Skill Development – Progress in literacy, numeracy, and personal projects.
2. Social-Emotional Growth – Insights into emotional well-being and self-determination.
3. Community Impact and EDventurous Projects – Engagement with social or entrepreneurial initiatives.
4. Next Steps and Personalised Goals – Agreed actions and aspirations for the coming weeks.
These huddles are structured yet conversational, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where the learner leads the discussion with support from guides and parent/carers.
Learning Huddles began as a pilot in late 2022 with a small group of learners and guides. Following its success, the approach quickly expanded across the entire GVL community, now spanning all developmental stages—from 3-year-old kinder to 16-year-olds.
Its innovative, learner-led framework, which promotes ownership, reflection, and personalised growth, has drawn attention beyond GVL. School leadership now showcases Learning Huddles at conferences across Australia and New Zealand, sharing best practices and insights with other educators. This recognition highlights its adaptability across age groups and its potential to transform how schools engage learners, carers, and educators in meaningful collaboration.
To try Learning Huddles, start with a pilot group and hold 20-30 minute meetings every 5 weeks. Develop a process and train guides to facilitate learner-led discussions. Engage carers as partners and use portfolios to track growth. Integrate a data collection survey, completed during each huddle, to gather insights. Use feedback to refine and scale the process.
