06 May 2021

Student Effective Learning Practices

Article by Mr Joe McLean

Student Effective Learning Practices

As part of our Annual Action Plan for 2021, we as a College, will be reviewing and updating our current document on Student Effective Learning Practices (SELP). 

As a College, we have grown significantly over the past few years, therefore it is timely that we reflect on the essential growth of our students and the practices that are required for them to become effective learners.

A working party, consisting of Anthony Gravener, Andrea Dart, Emma Cuthill, Bernadette Donnelly and Joe McLean, was formed at the commencement of the school year to complete this review. Their aim is to constructively review our current Student Practices for Effective Learning.

During this process they will;

  • Be transparent in their decisions with staff, students and parents of the College.
  • Formulate the agreed values and expectations.
  • Formulate a comprehensive process.
  • Ensure it is owned by the students, staff and parents at Saint Ignatius College.
  • Ensure Student Effective Learning Practices is an ongoing and learning document.

A set timeline has been established for the year, with the aim to introduce the updated document at the start of 2022. Five themes have been formed:

Term 1

Theme: Establish a Direction

Staff Meeting - Presentation of current Student Effective Learning Practices. Identifying possible changes and to provide feedback on our current document.

Introduction meeting: To form a working party.

Working party meeting 1 - Review staff feedback.

Staff meeting - Share update of process and key findings from the staff feedback.

Working party meeting 2 - Establish the foundation of the document.

Term 2

Theme: Forming New Ideas

Tuesday 4th May - Student Leaders - “Student Voice in Learning”

Monday 10th May - Working party meeting 3 – Collating Student Leaders feedback.

Tuesday 18th May - Staff meeting (presentation and feedback to staff)

Friday 4th June - Whole school assembly - Special Day 1 - “Student Voice in Learning”. All students to complete a set of survey questions online in homeroom groups.

Parent Voice in Learning- Friday 4th June – Feedback from parents from questions on Survey Monkey. The link to these set of questions will be set out to all parents in our College for feedback

Term 3

Theme: Consolidating on the Process

Working party meeting 4 - Finalise Student Expectations and Learning Practices feedback

Staff meeting – Continue to provide feedback and direction.

College Newsletter - Present to staff, students and parents the updated feedback.

Working party meeting 5 – Consolidating the revised document on feedback and latest research.

Term 4

Theme: Established

Working party meeting 6 – Finalise updated Student Effective Learning Practices document

Staff meeting – Present the updated Student Effective Learning Practices document

Students Voice - Present the updated Student Effective Learning Practices document

Parent Communication – Newsletter on the updated Student Effective Learning Practices document

Working party meeting 7 – Process for embedding Student Expectations and Learning Practices for Term 1 2022

2022

Theme: Working Together

Teaching students the components of Effective Learning Practices

From Establishing a Direction in Term 1 we have formed an overall focus and three key areas for our students’ development. We are striving for Human Excellence, with a key focus on knowledge, skills and capabilities.

Knowledge

Students who can work with knowledge in creative, critical thinking and innovative ways.

Confident Individuals

Students who can positively interact and engage with others, act autonomously, manage themselves and demonstrate leadership qualities.

Active and Responsible Learners

Students who can take responsibility for their own learning. Reflective in their approach and form a growth mindset in valuing their education.

Student Effective Learning Practices will be demonstrated through the College’s mission, vision, Ignatian Education and Victorian Curriculum Capabilities that are all an integral part of teaching and learning at our College.

This week, thanks to Anthony Gravener (Student Leadership Development Coordinator) all student leaders were invited to review our current document and to provide a voice in learning. Students actively participated in identifying effective learning practices through contributing to the design and providing feedback on the current practices. Having a shared vision that reflects the Saint Ignatius learning aspirations and values in learning practices is a vital component to the success of this process.

Developing positive study habits is an important part of creating a work-life balance. Family time, time for sport and relaxation are crucial for healthy minds. Healthy minds are resilient, positive and focused – all the attributes we need for effective learning. With the development and support from the staff, students and parents of the College we aim to produce a document that supports Human Excellence.

Joe McLean  Director of Teacher Development

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