Principals Message

Dear parents and carers,

The message below is from a weekly bulletin the CSO shares with all schools. The extract is the latest from our director, Chris Smyth, in regards to children and their ability and confidence to have an opinion on their own learning and wellbeing. I was excited to read such a message right in the thick of Student Led Conferences here at St Xavier’s. 

Dear colleagues,

Last Friday 12 August was International Youth Day. These powerful and empowering words from Pope Francis were especially significant for educators:

          So dear young people, make your voices heard! If they do not listen to you, shout even louder, make noise; you have every right to have your say on what concerns your future.

We must regularly ask ourselves what we can do to provide legitimate opportunities for our young people to have an authentic voice in their education; to experience the power of bona fide agency and to embrace their voice as a tool for leveraging their unique position as leaders of a future that cannot simply be an extension of the current reality.

In support of this concept, we consulted feedback from our School Improvement Surveys which consistently reveals that students want to have a greater voice in their education and their school. In response to this data, and together with School Performance Leader Regina Menz, I am planning to conduct face-to face Student Voice Forums at each secondary and central schools—including primary years in central schools. This will be an opportunity for students to have an authentic voice related to their education, and to assist the CSO Leadership Team in the development of the 2023 AIP. More information will follow soon.

In the meantime, please consider what opportunities you might be able to create in your school and classrooms and individual lessons to support our young people to influence their faith and learning outcomes and their social contributions.

Best wishes,

Chris Smyth

Director of Schools

I have had the wonderful experience of sitting in on a number of Year 2 SLC’s and I have been so impressed by the way the students have been able to talk about their learning. The evidence tells me they are engaged in class and they listen and have an opinion. To hear children speak so authentically about what they have learned and what they need to do next is refreshing. 

The gift you give as parents, of turning up and engaging with your child, is immeasurable. Thank you so much for doing this, it means so much to the children but also to us. 

Some feedback from a parent;

“...thanks for your time in the Student Led Conference on Friday. Our daughter was quite nervous but was really happy with how she went, and we were so impressed by her achievements, as well as your ability to support her the whole time. The format itself was very informative for parents and really allowed the children to shine.”