Can you believe that we are already at week 5 of Term 4? Doesn’t time just fly by? Soon it will be Christmas!

Over the course of this week, staff will be conducting reflective discussions and activities with students, all with the aim of providing our learners with the opportunity for 360-degree feedback. Week five of each Term is Feedback week, and as you are aware, on Friday you will receive the latest round of our Positive Learning Qualities (PLQ’s). It has been said before, however it remains important that all members of the college community access the PLQ feedback on Compass this Friday and use the information to engage in reflective conversations.

We aim to support students in being welcoming of feedback and resilient to the constructive challenges that feedback sometimes presents us with. 360-degree feedback, as mentioned above, is defined as being comprehensive feedback that is provided from all angles. This includes from teachers, learning mentors and other Newcomb Secondary College staff (school feedback); from peers (feedback from fellow students), families, parents, carers (support team feedback) and from the student themselves (self-reflection).

Education is a team effort, and together we need to ensure that we support students in how to receive and constructively utilise feedback for goal setting, and to ultimately encourage growth. Below are some suggestions you could use when having a reflective conversation with your student. Equally, please let us know if we can provide you with any support in having these reflective discussions with your student- we are here to support you.

Consider the following feedback strategies when engaging in reflective discussions with students:

When interpreting the feedback received:

• Aim to ensure that the student understands the feedback and give them time and opportunity, time, and space to respond to it.
• Focus on feedback that encourages students to think through and improve their learning.
• Remain focused on what's important for the learner - product, process, and self-regulation.
• Remain focussed on what the learner can control.
• Set realistic goals & targets and provide specific suggestions for how to improve.
• Restrict comments to key strengths and areas for improvement that will make the most difference.

Use feedback sandwiches: 

Identify something that was done well and something that needs improvement by framing your discussion in the following way-

• 1.Start with a positive comment.
• 2. Offer constructive feedback on a specific area with explanation of how to improve.
• 3. Finish with a positive comment.

Use open-ended feedback statements such as ‘What I did well’ and ‘What I need to do to improve’.

Ask questions such as, “Can you note two highlights or successes of the last five weeks in your learning?” “Tell me more about why you consider those to be your highlights?” “How did it make you feel?” “How did you celebrate?”

Ensure the feedback provided was useful in helping the student progress in their learning.

Have a great week!

Regards,

Mr McLeod

Principal