Churchill Avenue News

The power of feedback

Feedback in schools plays a vital role in enhancing student learning, motivation, and development. It supports teachers in improving their instructional practices and fosters a positive and collaborative learning environment. In Term 2, the College has focused on implementing effective feedback practices in an attempt to impact the educational outcomes and personal growth of our students.

The College is excited to share that we have engaged with Pivot, a tool which gives students the opportunity to provide feedback to their teachers on their teaching practice. All teachers have provided their classes with a brief survey, asking students to comment on the classroom environment, lesson instruction, relationships and student voice. Teachers are now using this feedback to alter their classroom practices. The College aims to continue this practice throughout the year, where students are given opportunities to shape how learning occurs in their classrooms.

Our Years 7 – 11 students are about to embark on a season of feedback as they complete their Semester 1 examinations. Students in Years 7 – 9 have concluded their examinations, with feedback sessions running over the next two weeks. Year 10 and 11 students commenced their examinations yesterday, and will have a day dedicated to examination feedback on Tuesday, 11 June. These examination feedback sessions, aim to celebrate areas of success, whilst giving specific advice on how to improve on areas for growth.

The 2025 Subject Selection process has commenced for our Years 9 – 11 students. Students are encouraged access and read the 2025 Years 10 – 12 Course Guide whilst making their subject choices for next year, however they are also encouraged to have conversations with their subject teachers and seek feedback on subjects they should look to pursue in 2025. Classroom teachers can provide valuable insight into how well-suited a subject is for a student, reflecting on a student’s areas of strength and interest.

Finally, 2024 Semester 1 reports will be released to families on Tuesday, 11 June. Whilst the College adopts a continuous reporting approach, with bi-termly Progress reports distributed and Learning Tasks available on Compass for parents/carers to view, the Semester 1 reports provide a succinct summary on how each student has performed for the Semester. Feedback from these reports should be used by students to set goals for their Semester 2 classes.

The College aims to foster a culture of feedback in as many ways as possible. We hope that students continue to ‘be the best they are called to be’ using feedback as a means to get there.

Lauren Markovic

Acting Deputy Principal, Learning & Teaching