Little Olive Tree Staff Learning Day 2026 :Becoming a UDL Community

In March 2026, educators from across Little Olive Tree (LOT) gathered as one family for our first Staff Learning Day of the year. More than just a professional development session, the day was a meaningful time of reflection, connection, and shared purpose.

The focus of this year’s learning day was Inclusion through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). At LOT, we believe that UDL is not simply a strategy or framework to apply, but a mindset to embody — not something we do, but something we become.

  Our Learning Day began with a time of connection and joy. Through a lively dance challenge, laughter filled the room as teams stepped out of their comfort zones and into shared rhythm. This was followed by a T-shirt art activity, where staff from different centres came together to create something meaningful as a team. These moments of bonding reminded us that strong relationships are the foundation of any thriving school community.

With hearts warmed and connections strengthened, we moved into the main focus of the day.

Embracing Differences

Through the theme “Mr Busybody and Little Miss Chatterbox… and everyone else,” staff were invited to reflect on the diversity present in every classroom. Each child learns, thinks, and responds differently. Instead of expecting all children to fit into one way of teaching, UDL calls us to design learning environments that intentionally include every learner from the start.

A Whole-School Approach

 Staff were introduced to the three core dimensions of UDL:

• Engagement – the why of learning

• Representation – the what of learning

• Action & Expression – the how of learning

We also outlined five key areas where UDL will be implemented across our schools:

• Environment and space

• Lesson design and planning

• Interactions and relationships

• Routine care moments

• Exploration corners

This implementation will take place progressively — from awareness to intentional design, to embedded practice, and ultimately, to a shared culture.

Experiencing Inclusion Firsthand

 A highlight of the day was a simple yet powerful activity using “pin-hole binoculars,” reminding staff how easily our perspectives can be limited. UDL begins when we recognise these limitations and choose to design beyond them — seeing each child more fully.

Staff were also each given a “blind box” door gift, where the contents were unknown until opened. This small but meaningful activity symbolised the uniqueness within each individual — that every person carries different strengths, gifts, and hidden potential waiting to be discovered and valued.

In another collaborative segment, staff worked together on t-shirt designs representing their respective schools. Each design reflected the unique identity, culture, and strengths of their teams. At the same time, it was a visual reminder that while every school is distinct, all are part of one larger LOT family.

Learning to See Differently

 Drawing inspiration from the Zulu greetings:

• Sawubona – “I see you”

• Ngikhona – “I am here”

• Shandu – “I grow for you”

• Bambanani – “Hold together”

Staff were encouraged to embrace a posture of seeing, growing, and supporting one another in community.

From Understanding to Practice

Through storytelling and reflection, the session highlighted key insights:

• Behaviour is often driven by underlying motivation

• Fairness is experienced differently by each individual

• Systems shape responses and behaviours

In the classroom, this means looking beyond behaviour, understanding each child’s experience, and thoughtfully shaping how we teach.

Moving Forward Together

As LOT continues this journey, our goal is not merely to implement a framework, but to nurture a culture where inclusion is lived out daily — in how we see, respond, and design for every child.

Together, as one LOT family, we are committed to growing into a community where every child — and every educator — is seen, valued, and able to flourish.