Potens Sui Program 2023
The Mac.Rob motto is Potens Sui, or “mastery of self”. Our vision as a school community is to honour diversity, inspire curiosity and creativity, and transform lives. From global humanitarian problems to local issues in sustainable development, the Potens Sui Program engages students with complex, real-world challenges, and presents opportunities to develop the general capabilities to tackle them. Students collaboratively research and formulate practical solutions with design thinking - pitching ideas, launching plans and presenting products before the school community. Through the program, students also learn about the interconnectedness between, and the transferability of, the content and skills across subjects. By developing personal and social responsibility, critical and creative thinking, and intercultural and ethical leadership, Mac.Rob students will not only be equipped to succeed in learning beyond Year 9, but also in acquiring “mastery of self” - Potens Sui.
Throughout 2023, the Year 9 cohort experienced remarkable growth in the Potens Sui Program. Anchored in design thinking, they honed their collaborative, metacognitive, ethical, and intercultural skills while tackling real-world challenges related to city life and reconciliation.
In Semester 1, students explored the Future Melbourne 2026 Plan and its nine key goals, including environmental sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, and knowledge. Through Potens Sui - City, they embarked on social research in the Melbourne CBD, engaging with residents, workers, and visitors and collaborating with institutions like the State Library and National Gallery. Their projects tackled urgent issues like:
Redesigning systems to make city living affordable and comfortable for young adults
Ensuring equal opportunity for multicultural and migrant businesses
Providing accessible spaces for citizen creativity
Enhancing safety for women in the city
Guaranteeing fair public transport experiences for all
Semester 2 saw students contributing meaningfully to Mac.Rob's Reconciliation Action Plan. Driven by a desire for respectful engagement, they proposed thoughtful ways to build relationships, promote understanding, and create opportunities for connection with the local First Nations community, both within the school and wider community. Their Potens Sui - Reconciliation projects aligned with the Narragunnawali Reconciliation Framework, sparking reflection on progress made and areas for improvement. Some noteworthy proposals included:
Partnering with First Nations educators to share local history and cultural knowledge
Integrating First Nations perspectives into relevant parts of the curriculum
Launching non-profit initiatives to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the community
Brainstorming innovative ways to celebrate significant days and National Reconciliation Week at Mac.Rob
Both semesters culminated in a vibrant exhibition showcasing students' inventive solutions and celebrating their significant strides towards "mastery of self".
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
Miguel Regalo | Potens Sui Interdisciplinary Leader