Thankyou to the Early Years families for your enthusiastic participation in the Student Learning Conferences this week. In previous years, it was common practice for students to stay home while adults gathered together to discuss ‘how the kids are doing’. In schools that invest in principles of deeper learning, however, the student’s presence at the interview is absolutely essential. At OLSCC, we are working on developing ‘student agency’ to raise student achievement. This means that students move from being passive recipients to active participants in their learning. The aim of student learning conferences at OLSCC is to empower students to talk confidently about their learning and achievement as they review and discuss their learning and what the next steps are to continue progressing. The message is very clear – the students ‘own’ their learning and this is their moment to share reflections on achievements and challenges. All students spent significant effort reflecting and preparing for these conferences and as such, are integral to the conference itself. If parents are unable to attend with their child during the conference period, it is best to either make an alternative time or send the child with another significant person in their life rather than attending without the child.

Specialist teachers Mrs Garside, Mrs Lincoln and Mrs Walton were also kept busy with a steady flow of visitors to their rooms with students eager to discuss their learning in these areas.

Katrina Walton

Assistant Principal Early Years