From the Leadership Team

Student-led Conferences at Care Group Connection Evening  

Save the date – Thursday September 21 from 3.45pm-7.15pm 

As educators, we value the partnership we have with our families that enhances children’s learning, and we feel blessed at Endeavour to work with such engaged parents and caregivers.  

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) provides evidence to suggest that these three approaches can have a measurable positive effect on student learning outcomes: 

• Recognising and supporting family engagement in learning at home 
• Supporting two-way, positive communication and providing light touch updates about learning 
• Collaborative planning and problem-solving with families  

We are grateful to share a culture which nurtures these approaches. We know we can always improve, and we strive to implement processes that best achieve these approaches. With your partnership and commitment, we can together help our young people achieve their potential.  

Care Group Connection Evening is designed to recognise and support family engagement in learning. Evidence tells us that ‘families and school staff need to be seen as equal, trusted partners who both influence a student’s learning.’ (2021, AERO). This is powerfully achieved through student-led conferencing. At Care Group Connection your child will share their thoughts and goals about their learning and growth with you and their Care Group Teacher.  

Their opportunity to demonstrate and develop agency is enhanced when you are involved in that conversation. Our partnership with you, positively impacts the student outcomes. 

We need you at the upcoming Student-led Conferences at Care Group Connection Evening.  

If your child is in Year 7, 9 or 10, they are expected to attend the Term 4 Care Group Connection Evening, and we truly need you to support them. 

For Year 7 and 9, students will lead the conversation about how their personal and social capabilities are growing, and how their learning is directly shaping that growth.  

With a focus on their future pathways, Year 10 students reflect on the Vision for Learners principle – Independence and are guided by their PLP teachers and Options Infinity Mentors. Their presentation and discussion are an assessed part of the Personal Learning Plan (PLP). Year 10 students need to achieve a minimum C grade for this compulsory SACE subject and this presentation forms part of the overall assessment.  

Reporting assignment grades and generating end of semester reports is one way to inform families of a child’s learning achievements based on their teachers’ viewpoint, but this is one-way and, as such, is limited in its impact on student outcomes. It is more empowering for a student to reflect on their own learning and development, which is what this opportunity provides.  

Families and educators want the same thing, to support growth in our learners. 

That is why your support at the Care Group Connection Evening is so vital. 

We very much look forward to seeing you there.  

Louisa Mulligan

Director of Middle Years

 Sharon Ward  

 Director of Senior Years