The Student Voices Podcast
Join Pivot’s Student Voice Advocates Wren, Andrew and Lexi for our ‘Student Voices’ podcast series. We discuss how to keep students, their perceptions and needs at the centre of the education conversation.
The Student Voices Podcast
Join Pivot’s Student Voice Advocates Wren, Andrew and Lexi for our ‘Student Voices’ podcast series. We discuss how to keep students, their perceptions and needs at the centre of the education conversation.
Our Latest Episode:
Episode 9: What school belonging looks like
Join Lexi as she interviews John Christie from Villanova College and 16-year-old student Perri Gillet about the importance of school belonging and how schools can help build a sense of belonging for their students.
Other Episodes:
Episode 8: Creating a safe school environment
What makes a school safe and how does it contribute to student wellbeing? Join Andrew as he talks to two experienced school leaders about how they support student safety and wellbeing in their schools.
Episode 7: Building resilience in young people
Wren speaks to two inspiring young people about their journey to building their resilience. Wil and Mia have faced some interesting challenges both academically and personally which has really shaped who they have become today. Hear their stories and recommendations to teachers on how you too can support a young person in building their resilience.
Episode 6: Creating Inclusive Student Voice in Schools
Do you know the difference between convenient and inconvenient student voice? Join Lexi as she talks to Alawa Primary School and Clarkson Community High School about what it looks like and how they have transformed inconvenient student voice and behaviour into positive and meaningful outcomes for their students.
Episode 5: Why Student Voice Matters - Meet the New SVA Team
Student Voice is at the Centre of our work at Pivot. In this episode we dive into why Student Voice matters. Plus Wren interviews our new Student Voice Advocates, Andrew and Lexi, about their passion for student agency and their personal experiences with Student Voice at school.
Episode 4: Student Feelings on the Return to School in 2021
Wren speaks to several students about what they learned in 2020, how they are adjusting to the ‘new’ normal this school year and how their teachers can create the best learning environment for them in 2021.
Episode 3: Student Voice in Action with Joseph Banks Secondary College, WA
Wren speaks to the students and principal of Joseph Banks Secondary College in WA about how they have successfully created a culture of student voice and agency within their school. In their discussion they cover what student voice looks like at Joseph Banks and how it feels for students to have their voice heard and acted upon.
Episode 2: Remote Learning from the Student’s Perspective
Wren speaks to almost 40 students aged six to eighteen years about their experiences with remote learning. In their discussion, students focus on what they liked and what they didn’t like about remote learning, plus what advice they had for their teachers on how to improve the learning environment in future.
Episode 1: Pivot and Student Voice
To kickstart the series, Wren introduces Pivot Co-founder and Director, Cleo Westhorpe. Together, they discuss how Pivot came to be, and why student voice is essential to our company mission.
Meet our Student Voice Advocates:
Wren Gillett
Wren was part of VicSRC’s executive committee for close to three years, and chaired the executive team. She has a been a youth champion for charitable organisations such as the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and Dolly’s Dream. Wren has spoken at multiple conferences and events across Australia about the power and significance of student voice, agency and empowerment. Wren is currently in her second year of university majoring in journalism, and continues to be a passionate spokesperson for young people.
Andrew Leap
Andrew is a recent VCE graduate currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Global Studies at Monash University. He was the College Captain at his school and was involved with many student voice initiatives both within the college and wider-community, including speaking to or working with policymakers on important areas such as education and health. He continues to be an avid representative for young people.
Lexi Kelsall
Lexi is a recent high school graduate, currently studying a bachelor of science at the University of Melbourne. Spending her years at school promoting student voice, she is passionate about promoting student advocacy in schools around Australia. She is excited to be a part of the growing Pivot team so she can work with others to ensure all young voices have a chance to be heard and combined to create the best environment for student learning and growth.
Get In Touch
Did you enjoy our podcast? Tell us what you thought, we would love to hear what you have to say! If you have suggestions for our podcast or would like to join the conversation with us, let our Student Voice Advocates know!
Learn More
Use these resources to build student voice within your school.
Learn More
Use these resources to build student voice within your school.
Student Voice Strategy-a-Day
Build student voice in your classroom with these easy-to-implement exercises.
Student-led Webinar: Future of Education
In partnership with the Victorian Australian Education Union, we spoke to students around the country on our key take-aways from remote learning and how education should evolve in the next five years.
Student Voice in Action
Pivot CEO, Amanda Bickerstaff speaks with Adam Inder, Deputy Principal of Clarkson Community College, WA about how he uses student voice data within his school.
