Teaching and Learning

Learning in Action: 

Agency Through Market Day

Our Level 6 students recently demonstrated what it truly means to be agentic learners through their preparation and delivery of Market Day — a highlight of the year for our younger students. This project provided an authentic opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning and apply many of the Elements of Agency in Learning.

Each group began by choosing an area of interest and designing a stall that would engage younger students. From concept to creation, they worked collaboratively — producing plans, testing ideas, problem-solving through trial and error, and communicating their thoughts and designs clearly within their teams.

As part of their preparation, students visited the Queen Victoria Market to interview stallholders and observe how layout, pricing, and presentation influence success. This experience encouraged them to engage in dialogue, be open to new ideas, and seek depth in knowing and knowing how by learning from real-world experts.

Throughout the process, our students demonstrated many of the traits that underpin an agentic learner:

• Being a Producer: transforming ideas into tangible stalls, games, and products.
• Pursuing Goals and Acting with Courage: committing to their vision and taking initiative even when things didn’t go as planned.
• Using Feedback and Being Reflective: seeking input from teachers and peers to refine their ideas.
• Managing Ambiguity and Being Persistent: adapting to challenges and staying determined when faced with uncertainty.
• Taking Responsibility for Others: ensuring their teams worked cooperatively and that their stalls ran smoothly for the younger students.

Market Day was not just a fun event — it was a celebration of learning, creativity, and collaboration. Our Level 6 students showed that when learners have agency, they don’t just follow instructions — they take charge, make decisions, and learn deeply through action.