Focusing on What Matters Most: Student Engagement

At our school, we know that what students bring to the table, their effort, participation, and sense of agency, predicts achievement more powerfully than any other factor. That’s why our focus on student engagement sits at the heart of our learning and teaching approach.

Drawing on the research of Professor Andrew Martin, we are using a framework that helps us understand and support each student’s engagement through measures of organisation, participation, initiative, self-efficacy, task management, and willingness to take risks in learning. Together, these elements create a rich picture of how a student approaches her learning and how we can best nurture her growth.

This year, we’ve been building this picture across the senior years. Year 12 engagement data helped inform conversations between students, parents, and teachers about progress and pathways. Year 10 engagement insights supported subject selection recommendations, ensuring choices align with students’ strengths and learning profiles.

This term, Year 11 students will take part in Student Progress Conversations in Week 6, a three-way discussion between each girl, her Luminary teacher, and her parents. These conversations are an opportunity to reflect meaningfully on how students are engaging and to set goals that foster both confidence and achievement.

We know that student effort and engagement lead directly to enhanced outcomes, and we are proud of the way our students continue to take ownership of their learning journey.

– Melissa McMahon
Head of Learning and Teaching