Student-Led Conferences (SLC's)

​Dear Parents, Friends and Families,
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On Thursday, March 7th, OIS JVLR will host Student-Led Conferences (SLC’s).  This will be a non-student day.
“Student-led conferences involve the student and the parents. The students are responsible for leading the conference, and also take responsibility for their learning by sharing the process with their parents.  The conference involves the student discussing and reflecting upon samples of work that they have previously chosen to share with their parents. These samples have been previously selected with guidance and support from the teacher.” (Making the PYP happen: A curriculum framework for international primary education, 2009).
Parents will be asked to sign up for a 20 minute slot via an appointment scheduler which will be shared just before the conferences. Students are expected to do all the talking and leading and the conference can be in a language of a child’s choice. Parents are encouraged to play the role of a listener and be led by their child.  Throughout the session, parents are also encouraged to ask questions that will help the child be empowered and successful.

Some guiding questions that can help could be:

• Why did you choose to share this activity with me?
• What are you most proud of?
• What do you think you have improved on the most since the beginning of the year?
• What goals do you need to keep working on?

Notice there are no specific questions about correcting spelling or grammar, as tempting as it is to correct a child’s piece of work this is not the purpose of SLC’s.  Such conventions are noted by the homeroom teachers and are kept as a separate assessment record. At the end of the SLC, you will be asked to complete a reflection of what you understood from your child’s conference.  The reflection may be designed by the student or given to you by the homeroom teacher.
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The homeroom teacher’s role is evident in the planning and preparation of the conference, a great deal of work has been done in preparing the students for this conference, however, on the day, the teacher is not available for an individual meeting with you.  If you wish to create a time to meet with the teacher to discuss your reflections, this can be done at another time. The purpose of the conference is to empower the student.
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Miss Lisa Hughes
Head of Primary @OISJVLR