Our CPS Voices – Who needs to hear me?
Carnegie Primary School
As part of our ongoing Classroom Mastery work, we are introducing Our CPS Voices, a shared routine to help students understand how to communicate effectively in different learning situations. Students are learning to recognise five voice levels:
- Silent Voice – when nobody needs to hear us.
- Whisper Voice – when a very quiet voice is appropriate.
- Partner Voice – when we are speaking to one partner.
- Group Voice – when we are working and sharing ideas within a group.
- Class Voice – when we are contributing to or presenting to the whole class.
The routine is about more than volume. It makes classroom expectations clear and predictable, helping all students participate, including those who may find speaking up, navigating social interactions or managing background noise challenging. Because active participation doesn't always mean talking — it can also mean thinking, listening, reading, writing or rehearsing an idea. By explicitly teaching and practising these expectations, we are helping students become more confident, considerate and independent learners.
Our guiding question is simple: “Who needs to hear me?”