Student agency is defined as ‘the capacity to set a goal, reflect and act responsibly to effect change. It is about acting rather than being acted upon; shaping rather than being shaped; and making responsible decisions and choices rather than accepting those determined by others’. (OECD, 2019). Student voice is defined as ‘much more than token consultation with students over things like school uniform, or the theme of the school fete. Students want to understand why things are done as they are, and to be able to voice their views about change and to have those views heard’. (Mahar et al, 2007). 

 Both of these aspects form an important part of a Visible Learning school such as ours and in the last week or so we have seen examples of both voice and agency.  Two groups of students from the Primary Campus have met with Mr Kendall to propose ideas.  They were well prepared and able to articulate their ideas with clarity.  Interestingly, both ideas involved something for other students and in fact, one idea would not benefit the students who presented the idea at all, but those who follow after them.  Part of our work as educators over the past few years has been to encourage our learners to be proactive and to voice their opinions in a way which is responsible. For this to be successful, we need to listen to them more closely. These two groups of students exemplify the students we have at St Joseph’s.  

Another important part of a Visible Learning school are the agreed core dispositions. The students are now becoming more adept at naming the school’s six learning dispositions and providing examples of when they have used them in their learning, as well as in contexts outside school. As an example of persistence and collaboration, in assembly last week two pairs of students tried to turn cream into butter.  They almost succeeded in the time available! We also talked about the rescue of a donkey from the bottom of a well, one step at a time.  I encourage parents to speak about our six dispositions at home as it is important that children see them as valuable skills and attributes which go beyond the school fence and that they are important for adults as well as children. 

Finally, congratulations to all those students who participated in the musical last weekend.  It has been a very busy few months for them in the lead up to the performance and they did themselves, and their school, proud.   

With God’s blessings 

Sarah Yates
Assistant to the Principal Primary