Strategies to Recognise & Reinforce Student Achievement
The following are examples of strategies that are used in our classrooms / school:
· Acknowledging students’ achievement;
o in newsletters,
o on classroom and/or school display boards,
o through entry into external competitions,
o in external display opportunities (Ballina Fair, Education Week displays)
o on the school message board,
o on the website and
o in the media
· Recognition through the presentation of awards at our Assemblies twice each term
· Classroom merit awards / ‘prizes’
· Student of the week
· Stickers/stamps
· Special privileges
Assemblies
Our Assemblies form a major part of our rewards system but it is important to recognise that it is only one of many ways student achievement is acknowledged. We have made many changes to our assemblies over the years and have tried to provide assemblies that are;
· Lead by our school captains
· Includes the Acknowledgment of Country
· Includes the National Anthem
· Have awards from all teaching staff to ensure all skill levels are valued
· Opportunities for awards from support staff and P&C on occasion
· An award system that builds to a higher level (explained below)
· Includes a feature presentation by a different class each assembly
· Includes awards that are subjective (student achievements selected by the staff) as well as objective (awards all students can achieve by completing specific tasks e.g. reading awards, Mathletics awards etc)
Our assemblies are structured in five-week intervals, mid-term and in the last week of the school term. At each assembly, classroom teachers will present Bronze Awards for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic, sporting, citizenship or character development throughout that five-week academic period.
How the Empire Vale Award System works
A school assembly is held (usually) in weeks 5 and 10 of each term, however there are occasions where rescheduling is required. Parents and friends are invited to attend (where COVID restrictions allow). Assemblies are scheduled for Mondays in 2020.
Children are given the opportunity to present class items &/or work and teachers present awards earned during the term. At each assembly, classroom teachers will present Bronze Awards for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic, sporting, citizenship or character development throughout that five-week academic period.
Bronze Awards - At each assembly, classroom teachers will present Bronze Awards for various achievements. These may be collected, (5 Bronze), to qualify for Silver & Gold Awards & ultimately special Principal’s awards. Once students have earned five Bronze Awards; they can have their awards ‘signed off’ to receive a Silver Award.
Silver Awards - Once students have earned five Silver Awards; they can have their awards ‘signed off’ to receive a Gold Award.
Gold Awards - Once students have earned two Gold Awards they will be eligible to attend the Principal’s Award Activity.
Principal’s Award Activity - Once achieving this status your child’s hard work will be rewarded with an invitation to attend a special event.