MOVING FORWARD WITH STUDENT VOICE “Why Student Voice matters?”

WHY? School is becoming boring for students. Enthusiasm decrease from Kindergarten ( 95%) to Year 9 ( 37%) (Jenkins). NAPLAN results reflect this and decrease from Year 5 to Year 9 ( in value adding) Only thing worse than being bored is having to teach the bored The digital world outside school is exploding with information, entertainment and social connect.

WHAT?

STUDENT VOICE MATTERS Research tells us that when schools promote Student Voice:  Classroom teaching improves  Students learn better  Students feel a greater sense of belonging  Policies are made more effective  Trust and support increase  Democracy strengthens

THE STUDENT VOICE CONTINUUM Place you where your classroom and W.C.S is at 1. Token – SRC, Captains 2. Beginning to listen - through student surveys, focus groups, student run activities 3. Acknowledgement – student mentoring, training students for specific roles 4. Authentic student involvement – whole school analysis by students and staff ; results implemented, SRC with roles and responsibilities 5. A culture of trust and respect – co-construction of curriculum, collaborative student/ staff evaluation of teaching practices and acted on 6. Democratic partnership- student constructing curriculum, students advises on pedagogy and assessment informing teaching, student feedback adopted into reflective practice.

HOW READY IS WADALBA FOR STUDENT VOICE? Evaluating the conditions for student voice SPEAKINGWho is allowed? To whom? What about? Language? LISTENINGWho is listening? Why? How? SKILLSAre dialogue skills encouraged, supported & developed? ATTITUDESDo individuals regard one another with care and equality? SYSTEMSHow does student voice happen? Do systems support it? CULTUREDo the values, practices and routines of the school support Student Voice? Is Student Voice central to teaching and learning? SPACESAre there spaces where Student Voice occurs? ACTIONWhat actions are taken? Who is responsible? What happens if action doesn’t happen? THE FUTUREWhat needs to happen for W.C.S to be ready for real Student Voice Adapted from Fielding

HOW ADULTS LISTEN TO AND LEARN WITH STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS STUDENTS AS…ClassroomFaculty or teamSchool Data sources  Individual performance data such as attendance, -ve and +ve Samples of student work Student attitude surveys Active respondents  Lead learning – contracts, P.B.L Team agenda & student perceptions Students on staff appointment panels Co-researchers  Developing independent learning History / Middle School project SRC Review of PBL Knowledge creators  What makes a Good Lesson? Reflection on How students learn project Increased student engagement With adults as co- authors in joint inquiry  Project Based Learning  Construction projects Develop unit or research lesson Staff & student Learning walks Participatory democracy (working with adults in search of the common good)  Student voice project  Older students working with younger students Sharing of information / reflective practice where ideas are implemented Whole school forum

With the person next to you discuss; “ How could you place student voice at the centre of teaching and learning in the classroom?”