The student learning showcase is a crucial element of the Schools in Fire Country learning model. As the final activity in the learning sequence, the showcase provides an opportunity for students to share their learning with an authentic audience and engage in genuine dialogue with the wider community. In the program trial at Harkaway Primary School, the student learning showcase served to increase student engagement and motivation and provided a valuable form of authentic assessment. It also created a safe environment in which the students and showcase guests could learn from each other and develop a deeper appreciation of the contributions that children can make to bushfire risk management in their households, schools and communities.
This Practice Note describes the student learning showcase that was held at the end of the Schools in Fire Country program trial at Harkaway Primary School. It emphasises the importance of student participation in planning and running the event. It also highlights the value of the showcase for student learning and wellbeing, community engagement, and the development of shared understandings. The Practice Note concludes with the project team’s reflections on how the student learning showcase represents a highly effective mechanism through which schools can promote student agency and school pride.
Access the full suite of Schools in Fire Country Practice Notes here.