Part 1: Analysis of Context
1. What do we know about our learners?
2017 Stingworks Production – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Our diverse community of learners bring a unique passion into the building every day. Our students are kind and caring and they love their school and appreciate the adults in the building who help them with their education. Our students are leaders, not only in the school but also in the community. They undertake projects to clean their environment, to raise funds for others, to help peers explore future careers and they work tirelessly to make Frank Hurt a better place to be. Our student volunteers are recognized in our local neighbourhood community and throughout the District for the outstanding work they do.
At Frank Hurt Secondary, our students are resilient and vibrant. Some of our rich multicultural student body face significant challenges outside of school, but their desire to pursue their education is inspiring and instills a sense of integrity and school pride that permeates every aspect of school life. The students are secure in knowing that our school mission is to build a caring community of learners that ensures success for all of them.
Our students at Frank Hurt are not only engaged in rigorous academic programming, but they participate in a wide variety of school sports and extra-curricular activities wearing their school colours with pride. Our athletes compete in the SSSAA, FVSSAA and Provincially in:
- Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Badminton, Wrestling
- X-Country, Track & Field, Swimming, & Cheer
2016-2017 Football Team
Our students are also imaginative and creative – performing musical masterpieces, creating incredible pieces of art, producing amazing dramatic performances and choreographing award winning dance routines.
We have heard from parents and TTOC’s that:
‘Frank Hurt students are incredible … they are so helpful and respectful.’
‘The students were really welcoming and worked well. They were a pleasure to work with.’
‘This was my first visit as a TTOC and I’m impressed by the tone of the school. The staff were very friendly and the students were great!’
In addition, Community Programs personnel, offering inspiring and relevant programming for our students, often comment on how ‘supportive and kind the students are’.
We have also heard that, on occasion, our students are not necessarily as engaged as they could be. As is evident in every secondary school it is a challenge to engage 100% of the student body 100% of the time. Having acknowledged this, we have committed to focusing on social and emotional learning, and through this – student engagement, as a school wide focus.
We believe that our learners, when fully engaged, can accomplish all of their dreams. Our students are very clear when they tell us that: ‘the richer our overall educational experience is, the more we will be engaged, and ultimately the more we are going to learn.’ (student survey 2017).
We can see at Frank Hurt that our students embrace their diversity and their range of skills and interests, and they are thoughtful and contemplative when considering their futures. In addition, they are open to articulate their passions and dreams and are fearless in seeking out learning opportunities.
2. What evidence supports what we know about our learners?
Our diverse community of learners!
Caring Engaged with staff Athletic Talented in fine & performing arts
Frank Hurt students are actively engaged in a wide variety of activities, both inside their classrooms and out, that allow them to pursue their passions. We believe that an ENGAGED student will optimize their learning opportunities. So at Frank Hurt we take pride in continually challenging ourselves to improve student engagement in everything we do. We asked staff and students what engagement looks like, sounds like and feels like at our school. These are the results, and what we aspire to create everyday:
What does Engagement LOOK LIKE?
- Happy – Smiling – Excited – Pride – Eye Contact
- On TASK – Ignoring my PHONE
- Engaged -Focused – Awake
- Participating in school outside of class (clubs, teams etc)
- Taking Risks – Inquiry
- Contributing to the vibrancy of community
- Graduating with dignity
What does Engagement SOUND like?
- Discussion – Speaking – Expressing – Talking – Encouraging
- Asking Q’s – Curiosity – Clarifying – Relevant
- Productively LOUD – Noisy
- Focused on LEARNING not marks
- Quiet – Focused – Laughter – Surprise
What does Engagement FEEL like?
- Motivated – Inspired – Happy – Enjoyment – Energized – FUN
- NOT Stressed – Reduced Anxiety – Relaxed
- Safe – Caring – Respected – Belonging – Relevant
- Focused – Reflection
- Accountable for shared success
From our student body, we have learned that they feel:
- Safe and cared for
- There is an incredible variety of extra-curricular opportunities
- Proud of their school
- Respected by their peers & staff
- That they could use more TIME to work on passion projects, classwork, and to study and prepare for group projects, exams, or performances.
Further evidence of building a community of learners at Frank Hurt is found in the following examples of school clubs and activities that students have helped to develop and participate in:
- Global Issues, GSA, Drag Racing, Christian Club, Rock Climbing
- Energy Ambassadors, Arts & Culture Club, Book Club, Chess Club
- Humane Treatment of Animals, Debate Union, French Speaking
- Global Café, Outdoor Explorers, Stingworks Productions, Dance
- Aboriginal Art Club, Arts & Beautification, Comedy Club, Bhangra
- Community Garden, Youth Against Cancer Society, STEM Club
- Wreck the Journal & Sketchbook Club
Part 2: Focus and Planning
3. What focus emerges as a question to pursue?
As we collect further information from students, staff and parents, a question for our school community to focus on will emerge.
4. What professional learning do we need?
5. What is our plan?
