Classroom News
Empowering Young Voices at A.P.S.
Student Voice and Agency in Action
At A.P.S., we believe that every student has a voice that matters, not just in what they say, but in the choices they make and the way they learn. Developing student voice and agency is not just about giving children a chance to speak; it's about helping them become active participants in their education and confident contributors to their school community.
What is Student Voice?
Student voice means more than sharing ideas or opinions, it means that students have the power to influence change. When students are involved in decisions about their learning, their confidence grows, their engagement deepens, and they learn to see themselves as capable of making a difference.
At A.P.S., authentic student voice happens when students collaborate with teachers to shape what and how they learn. Some examples include:
- Co-constructing class agreements at the start of the year
- Participating in classroom discussions and sharing time
- Giving and receiving peer feedback
- Completing feedback surveys to help teachers reflect and improve
- Representing peers through the Student Representative Council (SRC)
- Contributing as part of the Year 6 Leadership Team and School Council
- Weekly wellbeing check-in data that informs how we support students
These practices ensure that students feel heard, valued, and respected, essential ingredients for a thriving school culture.
What is Student Agency?
Student agency is about giving students the freedom, responsibility, and support to direct their own learning. When students have agency, they become more independent, motivated, and invested in their education. They don’t just learn, they take ownership of learning.
At A.P.S., we foster student agency in many ways, including:
- Flexible seating and learning spaces that suit different learning styles
- Choice boards and learning matrices that empower students to choose how they work
- Inquiry-based learning that allows students to explore their own questions
- Classroom jobs that promote responsibility and leadership
- Goal setting that helps students track their own progress
- Participating in Three-Way Conferences where students share their learning journeys
- Engaging in the Buddy Program, building leadership and connection across year levels
Together, voice and agency help our students grow into confident, capable learners and leaders.
Why It Matters
When students know their ideas count, they’re more likely to contribute meaningfully, in school and beyond. By embedding student voice and agency into our everyday practice, A.P.S. is preparing students to be not only academically capable, but also socially and emotionally empowered. Thank you for supporting this important work as we continue to listen to, learn from, and lead alongside our amazing students.