Student leadership is an important part of school life here at Stella Maris.

Our Year 6 students are involved in various leadership groups and the Student Support Group visits classes each term to gain feedback on what is going well and aspects of school life that can be improved.

They then discuss this feedback with the principal, Mr Sykes, who communicates the results to parents and staff, as well as considering the possibility of implementing some of the suggestions.

The latest feedback included the following responses:

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT STELLA MARIS?

• Having a safe and welcoming environment
• Receiving regular support from teachers and friends
• Sporting and other co-curricular activities such as band, choir, STEM, chess, writing and dance clubs
• Opportunities for Gifted Education (SPLICED)
• Learning about the Catholic faith and how to pray
• Nice, caring, happy staff and principal
• Minimal bullying
• Opportunity to go to the oval to play (Years 3–6)
• Using iPads/technology to improve learning
• Earning rewards and receiving awards
• Mini Vinnies and helping the poor in our community
• Using our seaside location for learning, sports training and class rewards
   

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LEARNING AT STELLA MARIS?

• Gaining confidence to learn
• Teachers that make learning inclusive and fun
• Challenging Maths and the Zone of Confusion
• Helping our buddies
• Our Project-Based Learning
• Learning outdoors
• Walls that teach
• Playing musical instruments
• Getting positive feedback and setting goals
• Knowing what we are learning and how to be successful (Learning Intentions and Success Criteria)
• Literacy Circles
• Learning to look after the environment
   

WHAT ARE SOME PROBLEMS STUDENTS EXPERIENCE AT STELLA MARIS?

• Limited grass
• Limited running
• Teasing
• Students not playing fairly at handball and basketball
• Frustration among students which leads to problems/issues
• Issues with iPads
• Need more play equipment
• Some students are over-competitive
• Not being accepted in friendship groups
   

WHAT ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE OUR SCHOOL BETTER?

• Have a 'Teacher versus Year 6 students' sport competition at the end of Terms 2 and 4
• Conduct more Science experiments
• Regularly purchase new equipment *
• Create better outdoor learning areas*
• Different lunchtime activities such as an obstacle course or a chill-out zone*
• Take more equipment/footballs to the oval*
• Have more shade in the playground*
• Create more responsibilities for the Year 6 fundraising group
• Have reflective prayer three times a week
• Make the middle bitumen court an artificial grass surface
  
  (The asterisked* suggestions are currently being explored for implementation).