Learning Conversation Day

Learning Conversation Day is a day set aside for holistic meetings about social, emotional and academic wellbeing between students, parents and form tutors. The meetings are student-led and are intended to encourage students to take ownership of and reflect upon their learning and wellbeing in a supportive environment. First and foremost, we want this to be a celebration of learning for our young people. Great motivation and self-belief can come from knowing that you are loved and supported by your parents and that you are making them proud.

Students are already preparing for the conversation by reflecting on different aspects of their life in school. By doing this and by setting meaningful targets students are more likely to feel in control of their learning and to take steps to continue their development. We aim to develop the whole child at St. Julian’s and we believe that academic wellbeing is interdependent with social and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, students are encouraged to consider their progress and fulfilment in all areas related to school. We received very positive feedback from parents last year as some gained insights into the way their children feel at different times and so were able to consider different ways to support them.

Many students felt that this event pushed them out of their comfort zone last year, but also recognised how beneficial it is to be able to reflect and talk about themselves clearly. Students also reported that one of the most important parts of the meeting was hearing their parents’ feedback. We should not underestimate the effort and emotion students will put into this, so our feedback needs to be positive and constructive. This is first and foremost a celebration and an opportunity to show how proud we are of our young people who are working so hard.

Later this week your child’s tutor or support tutor will be in touch with information on how to sign up for a meeting.

On Thursday 24th February students will need to learn from home so that teachers are available to conduct the meetings throughout the day. Learning activities will be set via Google Classroom.

2021 “Learning Conversation Day” feedback on the question “what was the most positive thing about Learning Day”?

Parents feedback:

"...It really allowed J. to express his thoughts and ideas in a way that is sometimes challenging. Bringing things into the open…"

"...I was able to understand better my children's strengths and their targets. It was amazing being able to hear them express themselves in front of their parents and their tutors."

"Connection and understanding built, between son, school and parents."

"Allowing students to lead the conversation and identify their own areas of strength and opportunity, which is so very different from my school days where kids were completely excluded from these conversations!  I believe that this opportunity to self analyse, reflect and discuss your skills and abilities develops genuine real-life skills that most of us didn't get to learn until much later in life."

Students feedback:

"...to discuss my strengths, weaknesses and areas to work on with those around me, receiving constructive feedback and recommendations which were extremely useful."

"Setting targets to help with organising my future and dealing with my wellbeing."

"Creating broader targets that will help me achieve my goals, whether they be academic or otherwise."

"The most useful part of the process was planning the conversation itself as it allowed for reflection at a level I might have not reached myself without making this a task/aim."

"I got along with the teachers and I loved that they supported me and understood my mentality and situation."

Dan Norbury
Secondary Principal