Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Student Voice
Over the recent weeks I have enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in Learning Walks and Talks across different classes within the College. The esteemed Australian educator, Professor John Hattie, has stated that students with a strong sense of student voice are 7 times more likely to be academically motivated. Professor Hattie bases his research using data which he refers to as effect sizes (ES), this being what the research has found describing the effect on student learning. Professor Hattie outlines the following regarding student voice:

 “The visibility of learning from the students’ perspective needs to be known by teachers so that they can have a better understanding of what learning looks and feels like for the students” (Quality of Teaching = 0.44 ES). Also, teachers who develop strong relations with his/her students have a powerful impact on student learning (Teacher-Student Relations = 0.72 ES). “Building and developing relations with students implies agency, efficacy, respect by the teacher for what the child brings to the class…[and requires teachers to use such skills as] listening, empathy, caring, and having positive regard for others.” And, “Feedback is most powerful when it is from the student to the teacher” (0.75 ES).

Student voice is very important at St Paul’s College as we work together supporting the opportunity for our students to improve their learning. Our students are welcomed to outline the best ways they find to improve their learning and what obstacles they may have to overcome, and how can we work together to give them the best opportunities. We are discussing further opportunities for our students to provide teachers with feedback towards their learning and which processes are best to allow their voice to be heard. The current educational research supports how critical student voice is to learning; processes allowing celebration of their achievements in all facets of school life; building open relationships empowering teachers and students to ask questions based on mutual respect.

We are very proud of our students at St Paul’s and we seek to continue to nurture students who are positive, ethical, faithful, kind, motivated and resilient; knowing each student and their families and addressing individual needs to allow their full potential to be realised; understanding and living our College Mission so they are ethical and moral members of society.

If you have any questions regarding these matters, please contact me at geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Mr Geoffrey Melville - Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

geoffrey.melville@lism.catholic.edu.au