Keep Your School On Course for Academic Awards

With Semester One ending in less than a month, Australian schools find themselves approaching a pivotal port of call: awards reporting season. Academic awards can be the wind in the sails for students, and can be an additional motivator during schoolwork, and propel them towards greater educational goals. It's essential to understand the significance of these awards in fostering student success and school culture.

Awards are a brilliant way to recognise student effort and achievement. A study published in The Journal of Competency-Based Education found significant evidence that “student recognition positively impacts student retention and academic success.” The instalment of academic awards is also a way of showing that their school is aware of, and monitoring the hard work they are putting in.

Academic achievement is one of the central aspects of schooling and, increasingly, a criterion for measuring school and system effectiveness, however, as put by the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Western Australia, “academic achievement is not the only desirable outcome from school, and students who may not be achieving academically may be excelling in other areas.”

Just as schools have a duty to encourage academic excellence, they also must celebrate other valuable characteristics that students develop during their schooling years, such as resilience, creativity, community service, and other important soft skills.

A time of turbulent seas

It's reporting season, and educators have to stay upright during these turbulent times to mark final assessments, log report results, nominate students for awards, and submit everything required for awards to be fairly processed—all on top of regular duties.

There are many different courses a school can take when collecting, calculating, and assigning recipients of awards. Your school might assign this task across Heads of Department, or your IT department might have a dedicated data scientist or team to look after all the awards your school offers, or perhaps your school has a student data analytics software that automates the whole process.

No matter the method, the awards calculation process requires clear selection parameters and considerate analysis of data. A sentiment shared by Education New South Wales in their Supporting High Academic Expectations study where key findings indicate that "Schools demonstrate their high expectations of students by using data to inform practices, building a culture of school pride and partnering with the community to indicate pathways for students’ success."

While academic awards can create more work for teachers in the short term, once they have been set up and utilised they can be a powerful tool for growth. Check out how St Patrick’s College implemented data-informed awards to the success of student engagement.

Consequences of poorly managed awards

We have established that awards can be a great motivator for students, but poorly managed or executed awards can run aground. Imagine navigating foreign seas without a map or a navigator – this is what poorly managed awards can feel like for students and educators. Mismanagement can lead to disengagement and disappointment, causing more harm than good.

A common way that awards can backfire is when students aren’t given sufficient information about an award, or awards are appointed retrospectively without prior knowledge.

A study from Harvard University School of Education on the effectiveness of awards to motivate behaviour focusing on student attendance found that “receiving the retrospective (surprise) award suggests to recipients that they have already outperformed the norm and what was expected of them, hence licensing them to miss school."

Poorly planned awards can lead to students feeling demotivated or justified in slacking off, much like a crew losing faith in their captain. It's crucial to ensure that awards are carefully considered and communicated to maintain motivation and engagement.

Crucial steps for a fair and successful award results

Plotting a course for a fair and effective awards program is essential to ensure all students feel valued and recognised. Here are some key considerations:

Criteria Accessibility: Ensure criteria for each award are as clear as a well-charted map and easily accessible by all staff and students.

Objective Language: Use clear, objective criteria, much like precise navigation tools, to avoid subjective interpretations that can lead to bias.

Student and Parent Awareness: Ensure everyone knows the course ahead – inform students and parents about available awards and how they can support their children in achieving these goals.

Diverse Achievements: Recognise all types of student achievements, such as effort, soft skills, and attitude, much like noting every crew member's contribution to the journey.

Plot a course for successful awards

Here’s a treasure map to ensure smooth sailing through the awards reporting season and a successful, fair awards ceremony:

Set Clear Criteria: Make sure the criteria for each award are well-defined and communicated to all stakeholders.

Gather Data: Use data effectively to make informed decisions about award recipients.

Stay Organised: Create a timeline and checklist to manage all tasks related to awards.

Communicate: Keep open lines of communication with students, parents, and staff about the awards process.

Celebrate Inclusivity: Ensure the awards ceremony celebrates all forms of student achievement and effort.

Employ a Trusty First Mate

Imagine having a high-tech navigational system on board to guide you through the complexities of awards season. TrackOne Studio's Awards Module can simplify the process, saving time and reducing stress.

The module ensures standardised and fair award appointments, keeping the ship on an even keel. Its user-friendly features make it easy for staff to manage awards, like having a reliable first mate by your side.

With TrackOne Studio’s Awards Module, you can streamline the awards process, ensuring that every deserving student is recognised fairly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on the broader educational journey.

Course Set For Success

As we steer through the end of semester, let’s remember the importance of academic awards in motivating and recognising our students. By carefully managing the awards process, we can ensure a smooth and successful journey, celebrating every student's contribution to our educational voyage. And with tools like TrackOne Studio’s Awards Module, we can navigate these waters with confidence and ease.

Stay the course, and may your awards season be smooth sailing!