#EdWeek19 - Every Student, Every Voice

2019 Education Week – #EdWeek19

The theme for 2019 Education Week is Every student, every voice. It is a celebration of student empowerment and how the NSW public education system gives students the skills they need in order to have and express a voice during their own educational journey and as engaged global citizens.

#EverystudentEveryvoice

Key messages

Authentic participation

Student voice is more than just having a say. Valuing and actioning the ideas, opinions and expertise of all students has significant impact for student wellbeing.

This week and next at Canterbury Girls High School Student Elections for the 2019-2020 cohort of Senior Prefects and SRC members will take place, with our Investiture Assembly fast approaching on Tuesday August 27th. Our SEA environmental ambassadors continue to contribute their voice in community action for a sustainable future, most recently participating in the 2 day Conference for Climate Justice at Petersham Town Hall. 

Partners in learning

Student perspectives, experiences and aspirations shape and enrich our schools and communities and actively influence our decision-making as we strive to be the best education system in Australia.

Year 7 students are completing Student Partners in Learning Surveys each term to give feedback on their learning experiences in the first year of secondary education. Faculties are reviewing this feedback and adjusting teaching, learning and assessment in response. For example in Semester 2 a cross faculty assessment will be piloted in some Year 7 classes to encourage deep learning and content mastery as well as 21st century learning skills. 

Respectful relationships

Working collaboratively with other students and teachers our young people grow into engaged learners and ethical citizens able to contribute positively to their school and wider community.

Mentoring peers to support learning and belonging is a key feature of the way we work together at Canterbury Girls High School. From welcoming Year 6 into 7, to peer numeracy, peer reading and homework help, our focus on respectful relationships sees many students find success through helping and being helped. 

Prefects, SRC, SEA (environmental) and Indigenous Leaders groups constantly provide positive examples of contributing to the wider community at CGHS.  The recent NAIDOC Assembly at the end of Term 2 was an outstanding example, see the report and pics in this edition of the newsletter.

Connecting communities

We connect our diverse communities by creating and sustaining inclusive, interactive learning environments that use advanced technologies to promote and extend student influence beyond the classroom walls.

Through sustaining links with Ashfield Boys HS in social inclusion, digital literacy, mental health (RUOK and white ribbon initiatives), and Australian Business Week, we accomplish a rich and varied range of opportunities for student voices to collaborate successfully.

Change makers

A culture of high expectations empowers our students to build a shared sense of purpose, self-value and belonging that will prepare them for future lives as active citizens in an increasingly complex and dynamic society.

The success of our Year 10 team in the Young Change Agents youth incubator program is prime example of students participating in the design thinking and social entrepreneurship opportunities offered through Futures Learning and Field Study Days with focus on enrichment and extension. 

#EdWeek on Twitter

Follow CGHS on Twitter!

Yr 7 & 8 Debating & Public Speaking

Developing #EveryStudentEveryVoice through Year 7 & 8 Debating and Public Speaking, Thank you to Marrickville High School for competing with Year 7 and 8 students.  Each school came away with a win.

Senior Prefect Nominations

We salute & congratulate the 34 Year 11 students who have gone through the nominations process for Senior Prefects and pitched their reasons for seeking election by their peers.

Every Student Every Voice

Voices of CGHS Alumni

We're calling on past students to make a contribution to a Student Voice Memoir: Recalling the Past, Inspiring the Future.To coincide with Education Week 2019 - Every Student Every Voice, we are launching a program to collect written or digital memoirs from our past students. We want to hear the voices of the students who walked and talked in the corridors and classrooms in the past, to inspire and model to current and future students how school can be a crucial stepping stone to finding voice, identity and confidence. Contributions will be published as they are received in the newsletter and archived on our website and in Cantabrians Ex-Students Association records.  Please include then and now pics of yourself, and any past pics from around the school if you have them.

We look forward to your contributions!  Please email to Deputy Principal  julie.ronayne@det.nsw.edu.au

Ex-Student Memoirs

The following is submissions we've received for the 'Voices of CGHS Alumni'. Please click this link for more Ex-Student stories from the Cantabrian Voices Project. 

Ilana Simpson - graduated 2011

My time at CGHS laid the groundwork for who I am today. My 6 years spent here was filled with many memories which I fondly look back on to this day.

Although towards the end of my time in CGHS, my uncertainties about the future and what career path to choose was daunting and overwhelming, I’m sure you all feel that pressure. I can reassure you that life is one big oyster and you make you own path as you go along. I chose to study nursing and can only see that decision as one of my best in life. I found my calling in nursing, it is hard but rewarding work. I can only hope you all find your calling in life. I write this piece from South Africa where I am enjoying my holidays and taking some time off from my busy schedule of working and studying my masters in clinical teaching.

One factor that we all share is being in Australia, having the opportunity to study and choose any career path. The freedom of speech or opinions is one which we all need to be grateful for. We all have a voice and during this week try to remember yours. Every student, every voice.

Caitlin Jurd - graduated 2011

When asked to write about my school memories, I realised I unfortunately no longer hold specific memories of Canterbury Girls. However, what I do recall very vividly is how my time at Canterbury Girls made me feel. Whilst the reality of post-school life has led to an extremely fluctuating self-esteem, I can remember that Canterbury Girls was a place that gave me a rigid self-esteem and a strong belief in myself.

 

Last month whilst avoiding pressing university deadlines, I instead trawled through my personal emails. In my procrastination, I came upon a string of emails of which I was entirely unaware, dated July 2011. One email peaked my (narcissistic) interest, as the subject of the email read ‘Caitlin award nomination’. I opened the email to find, eight years later, that the current principal of Canterbury Girls, Sue Holden, had been attempting to nominate me for an award. This entirely went over my head as an 18 year old, however, as a 26 year old, I found this extremely thoughtful and touching. I came to realise this scenario epitomised my memories of my time at school; being seen, and heard, and acknowledged at a time that you did not see these qualities in yourself.

 

When I think about high school, I am shocked by what I achieved during my time here. I voluntarily engaged in public speaking competitions and chose drama as my elective each year. Presently, even thinking about performing or speaking in public makes my hands extremely clammy (you’re welcome). But Canterbury made me feel worthy, and accepted, and important, and when you have a sense of self-worth, you do crazy things like voluntarily sign up to do perform in front of strangers. Or join the dance class when you are a horrific dancer with absolutely no coordination. This was a testament to the staff who willingly gave their time and effort to instill in us a sense of belonging and worthiness.

 

When people talk about ‘getting the most’ out of their education, I don’t equate it to how much I achieved academically. This is important, certainly, but I equate it more to the emotional needs that were met by the school during what can be very challenging, turbulent and formative teenage years. Canterbury built me up to a point where I could enter a new (and albeit, tough) world with a sense of worthiness, pride and self-esteem. It also gave me some of my best friends. And for these things I am eternally grateful.

Helen Wang - graduated 2012

My years at Canterbury Girls were fun, memorable and inspirational. Canterbury Girls had provided me with endless opportunities to improve and strive towards my best, whether it be in leadership or in academics. I’ve always remembered the teachers to be warm-hearted and caring towards their students both academically and emotionally. I think back to those days often as I see my own classes daily, hoping to be just as good as my own teachers were.

School Memories

Thank you to Lyn Thickett (nee Vincent  '63-'68) for sharing her CGHS Muck Up Day photos from 1968