Truly Collaborative Real-World Learning at Living Waters
At Living Waters Lutheran School, learning is more than a classroom activity, it is an adventure grounded in curiosity, community, and purpose.
“In today’s rapidly changing world, education must go beyond content recall,” says Lisa Goldsworthy, Principal at Living Waters. “Education must empower young people to ask meaningful questions, solve complex problems, and collaborate with others in real and purposeful ways. That’s why Project Based Learning (PBL) has become a cornerstone of our approach and it equips students not just with knowledge, but with the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and act with integrity.”
PBL at Living Waters isn't simply a strategy, it's a philosophy. It reflects the Living Waters belief that learning should be authentic, deeply connected to real life, and joyfully collaborative. In a recent student-led conference, Year 1 Gabby’s mum put it best: “Rather than just the process, it is clear that problem solving through Project Based Learning is generating questions and if things don’t work then re-visiting, not just ‘here’s the answer’,” says Alexandra.
“In industry, this is known as agile process, where we go through iterations and then eventually arrive at a final solution. We’re both engineers, so we come from a background of scientific problem solving and understand coaching with our own teams. The approach at Living Waters also embraces this process with curiosity and how to be the best adventurous learners.”
This kind of feedback highlights what makes Living Waters learning environment truly distinctive: students are learning for life. Living Waters projects are rigorous and real-world. Students might be designing sustainable gardens, mapping local community needs, or creating exhibitions of visual storytelling. Each unit begins with a big question and ends with a public product, often with the guidance of external adults with expert niches, that students are proud to share because what they’re doing matters.
And what truly brings this learning to life is the spirit of partnership and trust that flows between school and home. Parent-teacher interviews have become student-led conferences, where learners step into the spotlight to showcase their thinking, progress, and purpose: “It was a much more collaborative experience. Instead of being on the receiving end of constructive feedback, Gabby was able to proudly lead and share her understandings. It felt like a real family learning effort!”
Lisa Goldsworthy adds: “At Living Waters, we embrace the Lutheran understanding that each child is a unique creation of God, full of possibility and promise. Our teachers walk alongside students as co-learners and coaches, creating a culture where every child feels safe to take risks, reflect, and grow. We call it adventurous learning and it is a joyful, dynamic journey and we invite you to be part of it. Come and join us for a school tour to see how our students are flourishing!”
As the world continues to evolve, Living Waters students are not just keeping pace, they’re learning how to shape it. Through learning grounded in faith, values, and community, they are flourishing not just academically, but as whole people. And that’s truly something worth celebrating together.