DEPUTY'S DESK
STRIVING FOR SUCCESS
As the end of semester approaches, with reports about to be released and exams being sat at Years 9 to 11, it is a good time for families to reflect on their children’s educational progress over the preceding five months. At the very least, we encourage some reflection from the student as to how much effort they put in to their education in that period.
When we reflect on the philosophy of effort and trying your best, we must ensure that this accompanies a goal and a target in which our efforts can be directed. Each and every one of our students are encouraged to set themselves goals to work towards throughout the school year. A big focus of our school is to improve the outcomes for our students and reflection can play a critical role in this.
- Now – What did you learn, try to learn, do, succeed at, are proud of, want to celebrate? What I did and want you to notice and why, what I learned, what I tried to learn, what I am proud of, my strengths and the positives about this documentation. How and why do you know and feel this?
- Not Yet (but that’s okay)- What do you still need to work on, struggled with, were challenged by? What I need to work on, what was challenging, what I didn’t do, what I need to still figure out and learn? How and why do you know and feel this?
- Next – What do you need to do next to improve on, get better at, continue learning, and what will you do to get there? What help or support will you need? How I will learn more, get better, what strategies I will use, what help will I ask for? How and why do you know and feel this?
To help students reflect on, assess, and make comments about their learning, the following sentence starters might help. With time and experience students move naturally and independently to their own language of reflection that is individualised, meaningful, and personal as they share their observations, their thinking, and their feelings.
Now
- I would like you to notice…
- Before I couldn’t but now I can…
- I am proud of this because…
- Something now that I learned and understand…
- I am doing better at…
- I used to… but now I…
- I feel… about my learning because
Not Yet
- I need to work on…
- I still need help with…
- My biggest challenge was…
- I feel… about my learning because…
- This is not my best work because…
- I still have questions or uncertainties about…
- I still need to figure out…
Next Steps
- What I would have done differently next time…
- I will need to…
- I could improve by…
- How I will I continue to improve is by…
- What I will do next and why…
- I will… to keep learning…
- I feel… about what my next plans because …
Negative attitudes toward learning can create problems in a child's education. But parents can help turn their child's attitude toward learning into a positive emotion. Children often complain that learning is boring and because of this they resist doing their school work. This could be for a variety of reasons: Peer pressure to look 'cool', they are ahead of their class, they don't understand why school is important, or they could be having trouble with the material being presented. For whatever reason a child is resisting school and learning, and parents play a critical role in helping improve the student's outlook and behaviour.
There are many ways you can improve your child's attitude toward learning. These include setting an example, making learning fun, showing why it is important to learn, letting your children choose what they are learning, and, most importantly, helping your child if they are struggling with school.
Lead by Example
Children often look to their parents when they form their habits. In order for your children to enjoy learning, you yourself must set a good example.
Read in front of your children, watch educational TV shows together, taking family trips that might include a small educational component, eg Museum or zoo.
By making an increased effort to continue your own learning, you are showing your children that education is a life-long and important habit. Additionally, sharing your childhood school experiences with your kids might be inspirational. Telling them about the fun projects you did when at school might prompt them to do something special for their next school assignment.
Talk to Your Children
Sit down and discuss with your child/ren why they need to embrace their education. Explore together the skills and education they'll need for their dream job.
I encourage students to walk through every classroom door thinking positively about what new learning experience they are about to encounter and to embrace the myriad of opportunities provided both inside and outside of the classroom during the school day at St Joseph’s College.
Mr Greg Kluske
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching