SUPPORTING THE STUDENT VOICE IN THE LAURISTON JUNIOR SCHOOL

Prep to Year 2

• Our students are given many different opportunities within the classroom, amongst their peers and at school assemblies and activities to develop their communication skills. They learn to offer their opinions and views in a respectful way and to listen to those of their peers and teachers. They learn how to speak confidently in front of groups of children and adults.

• Our students develop their social and emotional capabilities through their daily interactions with teachers and peers, and through the learning activities they are involved in. The students learn to listen to others, to share and negotiate, to empathize with others and to develop resilience when they face challenges in their learning and social interactions.

• Through their learning activities, our students engage with their teacher and peers. They can assist their teachers in the development of learning tasks and are actively involved in their learning, taking on different roles and responsibilities within the classroom. Activities are scaffolded to offer opportunities for the children to be challenged in their learning and to understand the satisfaction of achieving an outcome.

• The children and their teachers build connections through their learning and co-curricular activities. There is a strong sense of belonging, understanding that each individual plays a role in looking after each other and being inclusive.

• The Year 2 students learn about the responsibilities of leadership and their opinions and suggestions are actively sought through the Student Representative Council. Staff members listen to their contributions and take action, thus ensuring that the suggestions of the students are valued.

• A positive and safe learning environment is established by each teacher, with clear guidelines that ensure safety and inclusive practices.

Year 3 to Year 6

• Our Junior School ethos of ‘Care, Share and Respect’ is enacted by students and teachers ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment.

• Our students are provided with learning opportunities in the classroom that encourage curiosity and allow them to continue the development of knowledge expansion, research skills, writing and numeracy skills, critical thinking and creative thinking.

• Curriculum is developed which engages students in their learning, fosters a growth mindset and enables them to consolidate and extend their learning.

• The co-curricular activities are expanded to increase the development of personal and social capabilities.

• Connections with peers are further enhanced through classroom learning, co-curricular activities, camps and excursions.

• The Student Representative Council provides meaningful opportunities for students to offer suggestions and participate in decision making.

• The personal development program promotes student contributions and development of social and emotional skills.

• Leadership opportunities promote student involvement and inclusion, with purposeful action for students in contributing to a safe school environment and contributing to the wider community through service learning.