COLD LAKE - It was Assumption Jr/Sr High School students’ turn to sit with the Lakeland Catholic Schools Board of Trustees.
During a Student/Board Engagement Session on March 6, Grade 7 to 12 Assumption students shared what is working well and opportunities for growth at their school.
Goal One: Faith Identity
When discussing faith at their school, students agreed the opportunities to participate in masses, liturgies, and daily prayer are positive ways they’re supported in their faith journeys.
One possibility for growth is having students submit prayers to be read over the morning announcements, and volunteer to do readings during mass.
Students appreciated their teachers’ and classmates’ open views towards faith and being welcoming to everyone.
In Religion classes, students felt there could be better connections between self-reflection and curriculum, and outside of the classroom they would like to see more visual learning such as the Stations of the Cross.
This is how the school could expand its current Youth Liturgical Leadership (YLL) Team , which is currently more directed towards choir was one suggestion.
Goal Two: Quality of Education
Students find their teachers are drafting their lesson plans in ways that make their classes more engaging for students.
This includes more hands-on assignments, and a combination of group-based work, lectures, individual work time, videos, and readings. In some cases, teachers are rotating these learning methods during class in order to provide students with more variety.
When it came to testing, students appreciated having the opportunity to take a practice test before the actual test, and having a few minutes before a test to refresh and study.
Provincial Achievement Tests and Provincial Diploma Exams can be stressful, explained the students, so it’s about finding balance between helping them prepare without putting too much pressure on these tests.
Goal Three: Mental and Physical Wellbeing
In addition to highlighting the work of the school’s counsellor, students noted the Mental Health Matters Campaign is making a difference.
By having a student-led leadership group planning various events with mental wellness in the forefront, students are feeling supported.
Many also agreed they felt comfortable approaching their teacher when they are struggling and in need of support.
Fidgets in the classroom, the senior lounge, and the monthly activities organized at the school were among the other highlights noted.
Goal Three: Citizenship and Caring School Environments
While there is an opportunity for further education on verbiage and how words matter, students felt their school was a safe place and overall enjoy going to school.
The RAP Program was a high note for one Grade 12 student, who said it has greatly benefitted his future career.
"They do a really good job in the career centre to ensure students are set-up for post secondary,” he added.
The school’s dual-credit courses with Portage College were another highlight, with the only recommendation being to advertise the programming more so students were more aware it’s available.
Volunteer opportunities, field trips, the band program, and support for newcomer students also received top marks.
A suggestion for the future was the development of a speech or language course or club in order to help students overcome anxiety and fears of speaking in large groups or with others. This, the suggesting student noted, would help them in their day-to-day lives and in their future careers.
The board will take the information shared by students during the session and consider it when developing their Three-Year Education Plan. Their next Student/Board Engagement Session is at Holy Family Catholic School in Waskatenau on March 20.