Student Voice and Agency at BCE
All students have the right to have a say in decisions that affect them. Student voice, agency, and partnership are fundamental to building a culture of student participation, where students are not only heard but are actively involved in shaping their learning, school life, and community.
As outlined by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child:
“Children’s participation is an ongoing process that involves information-sharing and meaningful dialogue between children and adults, grounded in mutual respect. Through this process, children learn how their views, alongside those of adults, are considered and influence decisions and outcomes.”
UNRC: United Nations ( 1989) Convention on the Rights of the Child
While voice, agency, and partnership are closely connected, each plays a distinct role in supporting students to participate meaningfully and make a difference in the issues that matter to them. BCE's definitions of voice, agency, and partnership align with the Australian Framework for Student Voice, recognising that meaningful participation occurs when students are listened to, empowered to take action, and supported to work in partnership with others to create positive change.
Student Voice
Student Voice is about students sharing their ideas, opinions, and perspectives and having them genuinely listened to and acted on. It means creating safe spaces where all students feel heard and can shape decisions in the classroom, across the school, and in the wider community.
In the Classroom: Students participate in class discussions to share their perspectives on how classroom routines or learning experiences could be improved.
Outside the Classroom: Students complete a survey about lunchtime activities and identify opportunities for new clubs or activity options.
School-Wide: Students participate in a student forum to share their perspectives on school culture and wellbeing, informing future school initiatives.
System Level: Students contribute their views through BCE consultations, helping shape policies, resources and programs that affect students across schools.
Agency is students having the power to make choices and take action in their learning and school life. It’s about building confident decision-making skills, and independence while ensuring students see the impact of their efforts and ideas
In the Classroom: Students co-create the success criteria for an upcoming assessment, helping shape how their learning will be evaluated and what quality work looks like in their own words.
Outside the Classroom: Students identify a need within their school community, develop an action plan and lead a project to address it.
School-Wide: Students work with staff to redesign a shared learning space, making decisions about the layout, resources and features that best support student needs.
System Level: Students collaborate with BCE staff to develop resources for other students, making decisions about the content, design and delivery of the materials.
Advocacy is when students use their voice to champion causes or make a difference for themselves and others. It goes beyond traditional leadership by encouraging all students to act, no matter their role or confidence level.
In the Classroom: Students identify an issue affecting their learning environment and present recommendations to their teacher to improve inclusion, engagement or wellbeing.
Outside the Classroom: Students raise awareness about an environmental issue in their local community, organising a campaign to encourage positive action.
School-Wide: Student leaders advocate for improved wellbeing supports by gathering student feedback and presenting recommendations to school leadership.
System Level: Students advocate for changes to school policies or practices that better meet the needs of diverse learners.
Partnership is about shared responsibility between students and adults. It’s a deeper form of collaboration where students are equal contributors in shaping learning, policies, and community outcomes. Students are not just included but empowered to co-lead.
In the Classroom: Students and teachers work together to plan a learning project, jointly deciding on goals, activities and ways to demonstrate learning.
Outside the Classroom: Students partner with local organisations to design community initiatives that address identified needs and create positive change.
School-Wide: Students, staff and families collaborate on a school improvement project, with students contributing equally to discussions, planning and decision-making.
System Level: Students work alongside BCE staff, school leaders and other stakeholders on advisory groups, co-designing policies, resources or strategies that shape education across the system.