Student Voice Action Team

Student Voice Action Team (SVAT)

We are thrilled to share some exciting news about a revamped initiative at our school that aims to amplify the voices of our students and enhance their learning experience.

Formerly known as the Junior School Council, we are proud to introduce the newly reimagined Student Voice Action Team (SVAT)! This dynamic group consists of elected student representatives from each class who will play a crucial role in driving student engagement and shaping the educational experience at our school.

Additionally, we want to inform you that students who were previously part of the Junior School Council (JSC) now have the opportunity to run for the Student Voice Action Team (SVAT) if they wish.

What is SVAT?

SVAT is a reinvention of the Junior School Council, now designed to foster even more collaboration between students and teachers. These elected representatives will act as conduits between their peers and the teaching staff, ensuring that every student's voice is heard and valued. The primary goal is to gather feedback on lessons and topics, allowing us to tailor our teaching methods to meet better the needs and interests of our diverse student body.

Rest assured, SVAT will still carry on the beloved traditions established by the Junior School Council (JSC) from previous years. The team will continue organising fundraising activities, including the popular Zooper Doopers and Smith's chips sales. These efforts remain dedicated to supporting our sponsor child, Minh Son, in Vietnam. By upholding these familiar initiatives, SVAT not only honours the community spirit fostered by the JSC but also ensures the continuity of impactful contributions towards Minh Son's well-being and educational endeavours. The commitment to fundraising for Minh Son reflects our ongoing dedication to global citizenship and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

How does SVAT work?

Each class will have its own SVAT representative, elected by their fellow students. These representatives will work closely with their classroom teacher to collect feedback on various aspects of the learning experience. Through regular meetings and brainstorming sessions, SVAT will provide valuable insights on what resonates most with students and suggest innovative ways to make lessons more engaging.

Why SVAT?

At Burwood East Primary School, our Student Voice Vision is to empower students to shape their learning to improve student engagement, academic achievement and wellbeing. Our school mission is to enable students to feel confident working alongside teachers, giving feedback to drive and reflect on their learning. We want our classrooms to be a place where teachers feel comfortable and confident to facilitate student learning instead of ‘teaching’.

SVAT not only empowers students to voice their thoughts but also encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility for their education. By actively involving students in the decision-making process, we aim to create a school culture that is inclusive, dynamic, and responsive to the evolving needs of our students.

Student VOICE	Student CHOICE	Student NOISE
Students actively participate in class discussions, sharing their thoughts, opinions, and ideas.	Student-led projects or presentations where students have the freedom to choose their topics and express their creativity.	Excessive talking or disruptions during class instruction; preventing other students from focusing on the lesson.
Students feel confident to give feedback on a lesson and their learning to teachers and peers.	Students select books or reading materials for independent reading tasks.	Unproductive or disrespectful comments made by students that detract from the learning environment.
Students identify issues, concerns or interests to explore in their learning.	Students choose their preferred method of demonstrating their understanding of a concept, such as through presentations, essays, podcasts or videos.
Students contribute to the decision-making process in the classroom.	Implementing flexible seating arrangements in the classroom, allows students to choose where they sit based on their learning preferences.

Get Involved!

We encourage parents to support and celebrate this revamped initiative with us. Talk to your child about SVAT, and feel free to share any insights or suggestions you may have. We believe that a collaborative approach involving parents, students, and teachers will contribute to the overall success of SVAT.

We are excited about the positive impact SVAT will have on our school community and student learning, and we look forward to working together to make our school an even more engaging place for all students.