The Power Of Student Voice At Halcyon
The potential of student voice and leadership, though frequently acknowledged in educational discourse, is undermined within British schools. A system heavily reliant on sanctions and rigid performance targets effectively suppresses this crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of learning.
4 April 2025
View Halcyon London International School Featured School page
Halcyon provides numerous avenues for student voice and leadership to flourish. From the Student Council's charitable initiatives and student-led feedback on teaching, to the organisation of significant events like the annual COP and MUN conferences, students are actively engaged in shaping their learning environment.For the past eight years, Halcyon's student-led Board of Directors has successfully organised the COP and MUN Conferences, demonstrating remarkable growth and embodying the IB learner profile. These students, supported by dedicated teachers, cultivate essential skills both within and beyond the classroom, learning to lead, take calculated risks, inquire deeply, maintain balance, and reflect critically (a groan from all Halcyon students). This year's MUN Director, Pedro A, exemplifies this dedication.Starting in Grade 7, Pedro immersed himself in MUN, developing his debating abilities through the weekly extracurricular club. He learned the intricacies of chairing by observing and engaging, culminating in a successful chairing role at MUNISH, a prominent European conference. This foundation, combined with guidance from senior students, enabled him to become Halcyon's youngest MUN Director, where he successfully led his team and delivered this years conferenceHalcyon's commitment to student empowerment allowed Pedro to thrive. By creating diverse avenues for student voice, such as Student Council initiatives like Pi Day, political engagement with MPs in the UK and Spain, and challenging debates on topics like euthanasia, Halcyon staff actively cultivate student leadership. This intrinsic focus on student voice enriches the entire Halcyon communityPedro's future success is no doubt built upon a foundation of student voice and leadership. His teachers provided crucial opportunities for skill development and confidence-building, while his peers instilled valuable emotional and character traits essential for leadership. This collective effort, a true testament to the "it takes a village" philosophy, has yielded remarkable results.
View Halcyon London International School Featured School page
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