Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
College Merit System - Recognising positive behaviour
Currently students can see on their Compass dashboard a chronicle summary, which may have merit awards listed. As each teacher gives a class award this accumulates as a positive chronicle entry, a base form of affirmation.
This merit system aims to recognise and acknowledge positive behaviour of students in a class setting and demonstrate a high level of engagement in their learning.
Since the start of this year, all class awards given to students have been accumulating to add up to greater levels of recognition.
Students sometimes ask why teachers want to acknowledge class awards on a bigger scale.
The reason is a little more detailed than a simple affirmation process. In my role of leading Learning and Teaching in the College, I want to see a College that has students engaged in their learning. A merit system encourages active participation in classes, it promotes responsibility and accountability amongst students; it fosters a positive learning environment and recognises individual efforts and progress. To put it simply, I want to reward that silent majority who do the right thing in classes and empower them to have a positive effect on our learning culture at SJPC.
Compass now recognises levels of merit based on the accumulation of class awards. The following graphic outlines this in simple terms:
- 3 Class awards = Merit Award acknowledged on Compass
- 2 Merit Awards = College Commendation, presented by LOSWs at Assemblies
- 3 College Commendations = Distinction Award, presented by APs at Assemblies
- 3 Distinction Awards = Award of Honour, presented by Principal at College Assembly.
The College Commendation, Distinction Award and Award of Honour will be physical awards that can be collected, used in CVs, job applications or even university scholarships.
As shown in the graphic, The Award of Honour represents 54 Class Awards that can be accumulated over several school terms or years and it is possible to achieve more than one of these awards during a student’s time at SJPC.
Our College newsletter will begin to run tallies of who in each Year Level receives awards each fortnight and at what level - so as to recognise student efforts not just at assemblies but also within our Community throughout the year.
All students need to do from now on is to continue to engage as individuals in their learning and keep being recognised by their teachers to amass more class awards on Compass.
I look forward to seeing the College Commendations, presenting Distinction Awards and hopefully witnessing Mr Carniato bestowing our first Awards of Honour on this stage in the not too distant future.
Study Skills
Learn more about the ‘managing stress’ resources through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au . Our College access details are:
School’s Username – stjohnpaul
School’s password – 89success
In addition, our subscription to Elevate Education may assist in this area.
This online platform contains resources and useful study tips that all SJPC students will find effective. We encourage them to access this Student Portal and try some of the strategies. Students have the password to this site. The password can also be found on the Curriculum Noticeboard.
AMDG
Assistant Principal
Learning and Teaching