Before SSLFrom Prep to Year 3, I was part of the student council at my school. We did quite a lot of voting but I didn't have too much input in decisions because I was so young.
In Year 6, I was in the leadership group but we didn't do too much in that group. However, in Year 8-9 I have been part of the leadership team with teachers and students. In Year 8, I was the Junior School Captain and one of the head persons of the team. This role involved helping organise some of the meetings we had. I found that I was one of the students with a stronger relationship with all the teachers, the principal and head of junior school. I very much enjoy working in groups because it helps me meet new people and see how they think. I feel that I contribute to my team by being organised, putting my opinions forward, sharing different ideas and ways to approach situations. I also take initiative in completing tasks that needs to be done. I have been told that I contribute to groups or projects at school in a bossy way. Even when I took into account my teams interests and their preferred tasks, some people still viewed me as being controlling. Some people weren't doing anything or I thought there was a better way to complete their allocated task. At times, I was approached by teachers asking me to try and let everyone else do their share. I help my teammates out by organising what needs to be done and doing my share of the work. I also support and encourage them and make sure everything gets done. Sometimes I do dislike working in groups when I feel like the other person might bring my mark down a little, and dislike it when teachers cannot be bothered checking things individually, and just check the team work as a whole. It is important to work in groups so you can come up with a way to solve problems with different ideas, then build on all of them to decide what the most efficient way to do something is. When you do things alone, you may only think of one way to approach a problem, but with different points of view, you can come up with a better solution. Some other benefits of being a part of a team include having more hands to do work and people to support and encourage you. Learning During SSLIn my time here at SRC, there have been many opportunities for me to develop the skills I have in working in team.
One of the best examples I can give for development in this area, are the three-day expeditions that we have done. Here we have to work as a team - whether it be core 1 girls or 1B - so then we could get from campsite to campsite as easily as possible. Here we learnt how to manage working with others, making sure that everyone had a fair go and made sure everyone's voices were heard. Although we were all assigned different roles before the expo, we all ended up having to pitch in, so that those people in certain roles can actually get their job done. During those expos, I also saw how different people deal with different situations, and how to encourage them to do their best so we can get the team running as efficiently as possible. These experiences really got me thinking about the best way to make the team's, and my organisation, as balanced as it could be. I kept referring myself to the helicopter model, and tried my best to follow those guidelines. Bridge building was also great class to get us used to working in teams. As I look back on that activity, it could have gone a lot better, but as it was more of an introductory class, we did well as a team. Looking back, it helps show how much I have grown as a person and team member, as well as how my expo group has progressed through these few weeks here at SRC. The class was great because we got given quite a significant task to do, with new people, to show us how difficult it could be to work in those situations. We got given a goal, but lacked detailed instructions, so we had to work the best we could with - virtually - strangers, to accomplish it. I learnt quite a lot about teamwork during that lesson, and I am glad that that was the 'introductory' teamwork activity. Overall, being in 1B can be quite a challenge, because everyone in the group has strong personalities. Thus, I learn how to deal with team discussions, and compromising so that the team has an efficient process to accomplish a task. Learning about the helicopter model at the start of the term was very helpful as it is a great way to think about how a team works. Strategies to Improve This Area & Explanation
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Evidence
CLP PrepAlthough I contribute, I try to back off a little and only add in an idea if I think it would be extremely beneficial for the team. Rather than saying ideas I support the ones said by my teammates.
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Feedback - JessalynThis was given to me as feedback by my friend and teammate Jessalyn. I put this as my evidence because, although I still need to improve a bit, people have noticed the improvement I have made with encouraging my teammates, and including others in discussions.
Student Feedback:
Laura, you are a natural leader who always contributes her ideas, and listens to others' ideas. Great at encouraging and supporting others. Improve on being relaxed and unstressed. I'm really proud of you for opening up... You don't use and excuse and I look up to you (not just because of height) but for being strong. - Jess xoxo |
LLP PresentationAs a team, we modified our script to fit time restraints, and we changed a few things around so we didn't go too over time. We made sure that everyone was informed of the changes, and that we made group decisions, rather than solitary changes.
Teacher Feedback:
Hands on 'nature walk' was very engaging and interesting. Sort the 'cards' was an engaging way to reinforce the learning. You all worked well together and supported each other. You were all well organized and know what was happening. More interactions and simple steps were required at times to ensure all students know what was happening. Overall a great session. |