Celebration of Learning

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.

The presentation of awards communicate powerful messages to students about the kind of learning valued at Middle Harbour Public School.  For our students to succeed in school, work and life they will need both strong foundations in key disciplinary areas as well as positive learning behaviours such as hard work and persistence, problem solving and collaboration skills. 

Our school community holds high expectations for students and encourages all students to show respect and responsibility to strive for their personal best in all areas of school life.  

Programs in sport and the arts provide additional opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate these qualities, skills, capabilities and talents. These programs are also highly valued at our school and enrich the core curriculum. It is important that our award ceremonies recognise outstanding performance and achievement in all these areas.  

 

To this end Presentation Day for Years 3-6 will now consist of 3 shorter assemblies (60 mins or less):

• Celebration of Learning  - Presentation of academic awards & induction of school leadership team
• Celebration of Learning  - Presentation of sports awards & induction of sporting leadership team
• Celebration of Learning  - Presentation of arts awards

 

Special assemblies to celebrate the learning of all students will be held as follows:

Date	Time	Celebration of Learning assemblies	Years
As advised in newsletter	2pm	3-6 Performing Arts Award	3, 4, 5, 6
	2pm	3-6 Sports Awards	3, 4, 5, 6
	9am	3-6 Academic and School Leadership Awards	3, 4, 5, 6
	11:30am	1-2 Celebration of Learning and Awards	1 and 2
	2pm	Kindergarten Celebration of learning and Graduation	Kinder

Students in Years 1-6 will be informed as to whether their child is receiving an award closer to each assembly. All students in Kindergarten will receive a certificate at their assembly.

Why are we doing this? An evidence based award system

In presenting awards to some students and not to others it is vital that our processes be transparent and fair. Awards are determined by evidence of outstanding achievement and demonstrated performance informed by relevant student assessment data and information.

Our awards will recognise both

• outstanding individual academic achievement in relation to a key learning areas 
• outstanding individual performance in relation to the enactment of the practices, general capabilities, learning behaviours and dispositions valued by our community and needed for success in school, work and life.  

 

Academic Achievement Awards 

• There will be one award (medal) for English and one for Mathematics. English and Maths are the core of primary education and it appropriate that achievement in these areas be recognised. This award recognises outstanding overall achievement throughout the year. In a composite class a medallion would be awarded in each year.
• There will be two other awards (certificates) for outstanding overall achievement in any other KLA or KLA strands.

Evidence: These awards are evidenced by student assessment data related to performance and achievement (e.g. assessments throughout year, report grades, internal and external tests, NAPLAN etc)

 

Values into Practice (VIP) awards

• There will be two awards per class. These awards recognise the outstanding performance of students in demonstrating the capabilities, dispositions, values and attitudes students need for success in school, work and life. These awards may relate to positive learning behaviors such academic persistence or resilience, effort and hard work toward a challenging goal, outstanding organizational capabilities. They might also relate to our school values of respect, responsibility and personal best. They may recognise outstanding achievement in citizenship or leadership. Essentially, they need to relate to the consistent demonstration and enactment of positive and productive desired behaviours.

Evidence: These awards are evidenced by student assessment data, such as the general comments for reports, relevant data relating to school expectation and positive learning behaviors, merit awards throughout year, anecdotal observations.