Well, that was an amazing afternoon, we made it and everyone is amazed and delighted. Students who were nervous and uncertain of how their presentation would go were much more relaxed and happy with what they were able to share with the wider community.
Whilst the “passion” part of the presentation was often the obvious draw card, the students were able to articulate their growth in the Agency in learning competency. Many dealt with times of uncertainty, needing to develop their persistence, patience and determination to push through and achieve their goal. They produced items of evidence, from art works, clothing, building plans, to animal rearing and training, human and animal treats and information about women’s rights and how to create a better world. There was no end to the diversity of interests on display and the students were the experts in their field of choice.
Agency in Learning
Reflecting on the journey teachers played an important role in developing the skills and keeping the students focused through goal setting, creating timetables, timelines and practicing presentation skills. They continually helped the classes to focus on the importance of the elements of Agency in Learning. By working towards mastering these areas, we hope the students become learners that can apply themselves relentlessly to their learning and are creative producers of knowledge, seeking to deepen and expand what they know and can do in areas of interest.
Families
Parents, families and mentors supported their child’s journey, offering advice, providing resources and facilitating access to a range of different things. They said yes and enabled new opportunities for growth and development outside of the school environment. The delight with which the parents, families and mentors to the school enjoyed viewing not only their child’s presentation but also all the other students’ efforts showed the magnitude and shared appreciation and understanding of the effort and growth that each person experienced.
Students
The students at the start of the year had no idea where this journey would lead to. Every student was able to share how they had grown and developed and what they had learnt about themselves. They supported each other throughout the year, listening to goals, presentations, giving feedback, offering encouragement and learning from each other. They created a sense of community and respect for each other’s efforts.
At the expo Clonard also welcomed families that will be starting in 2025 and other people from the community who are interested in education at Clonard. It was fantastic to see them engage and be a part of this afternoon, showcasing what all our students are capable of.
Thank you to all who came and took part, you gave our students an audience to practice their presentation skills and validated their growth in Agency in Learning. The vibe was positive and happy. A big thank you to all the people involved in making this event happen. Everyone’s contribution is vital and makes it work seamlessly. Congratulations to the team and to the 2024 Year 7 cohort.
Year 7 Well-being Team
