Student Voice Makes Your Voice Heard

So, what exactly is ‘Student Voice’? Student Voice is the parallel for Democracy, but for high school students!

Source: Government of Ontario

In October 2019, Bur Oak Secondary School once again conducted Student Voice, an initiative that provides students an opportunity to express their opinions and concerns regarding the school.

One student was selected as a Student Voice rep from each homeroom class, who would represent the entire class. Student Voice reps had to conduct a discussion with their respective classmates before October 18, 2019, to prepare for the Student Voice meeting, wherein all the representatives would share the insights gathered during their discussions.

These meetings were held on three separate days in the Careers Center during period one. Grade 11 and 12 reps, grade 9 and 10 reps, as well as ELL and VISA student reps, had to attend the meetings on October 23, October 24, and October 28, 2019, respectively.

Ms. Rose Li, the principal of Bur Oak Secondary School, as well as Mr. Andy Angus and Ms. Vanessa Wonnacott, vice-principals of Bur Oak Secondary School, also attended these meetings.

Student Voice reps brought up various important and relevant issues concerning the school such as regulating prices of food available at the cafeteria, having more engrossing activities during lunch-time, restricting loud noise in the atrium and cafeteria, improving wi-fi coverage, etc.

“The response from the principal and vice-principals was very helpful,” shared Mira Patel, a grade 10 Student Voice rep.

Shaun Williamson, a grade 10 student, said, “Student Voice really gives students like me a chance to share my opinion on the school’s current condition as well as potential improvements.”

In fact, some improvements have even started to take place. Some of the implementations include conducting more Kahoots in the cafeteria during lunch to engage students and developing a quiet room within the school for students to study without any interruptions during lunch and spare periods.

Student Voice is indeed a remarkable initiative to make students feel that they belong to BOSS, and that their opinions matter!

By Vidhi Ruparel