Principal Team Editorial

Student Agency in Learning

For the past four years, our school goal has been to maximise the learning growth of every student regardless of their starting point. Although it sounds relatively simple, it’s a complex and ambitious goal that requires teachers to be experts in ascertaining where a student is in their learning and tailoring their teaching to meet the needs of each student in their class so they can progress to the next level. Our teachers have been leading this work by embracing a developmental assessment approach using rubrics to guide their teaching and assess students in their learning. 

In addition to using developmental rubrics to empower students in taking ownership of their learning, we are replacing Parent/Teacher Interviews with Academic Review Conferences. These conferences put students front and centre of conversations about their learning as they reflect on their academic achievements, learning growth, wellbeing, attendance and behaviour in a holistic way. 

Their mentor teacher will guide their reflection and support them in setting realistic and achievable goals which will set them up for success. As we know, research findings indicate that ‘student voice, agency and leadership have a positive impact on self-worth, engagement, purpose and academic motivation (Quaglia, 2016), which contribute to improved student learning outcomes.’ (Hattie, 2009).

Furthermore ‘student agency is when students are empowered to have an active role in making choices and decisions that shape their learning, wellbeing and experience of school. Research shows that student outcomes improve when students are actively involved in decisions that affect them. When students are involved in setting goals, identifying adjustments and personalised planning, students are empowered to:

• Develop a stronger understanding of their strengths and how they learn.
• Identify the goals that are important to them.
• Advocate for the adjustments that they are most comfortable with.
• Feel a sense of their identity, value and belonging within their school community.
• Be more motivated, satisfied and successful in their learning. (education.nsw.gov.au)

Over the last couple of years, parent and student engagement in Parent/Teacher Interviews have declined to only 25% of students being actively involved last semester. 

'we strive towards empowering our students to have agency in their learning'

As the research confirms, if students aren’t involved in conversations about their learning and given agency, there will be limited change or improvement. For the past two years, we have conducted Academic Review Conferences with Year 11 and 12 students which have been highly successful, with nearly all students attending and engaging in the reflective process. We are excited to trial this model across all cohorts as we strive towards empowering our students to have agency in their learning and support them in setting meaningful goals to work towards. 

School Review

Every four years, Victorian government schools go through a formal review to reflect on the highlights and achievements of the past four years, identify areas for growth and write a new strategic plan for the next four years. A key part of this process is to talk with parent/carer, student and staff focus groups to gain insights into the strengths of the school and areas for improvement. If you are a parent/carer and would like to be part of a parent/carer focus group, please complete this form, I’d love to hear from you.

Parent/Carer Forum – Buildings and Grounds

Tue 3 Sept, 6pm - 7:30pm

With our Do The Right Thing Rubbish Campaign in full swing (word on the street is that Jackson Taylor makes a cameo in one of the student videos!), our next Parent Forum is all about our beautiful spaces and facilities. We have so much going on at the moment with our brand new building, the new VET shed and plans for a bus shelter, why  not come along to our Parent Forum in the General Staffroom on Tue 3 September to hear all the latest and/or provide your feedback? Everybody is welcome. 

Production

It would be remiss me of me not to end this week’s editorial on the Production! If you haven’t got a ticket yet – don’t miss out. It’s a spectacular show with outstanding dancing, singing, music, sets, lighting, costumes and energy – I’m calling it early but I think it’s one of Wantirna College’s best!

Carrie Wallis

Principal