I’m a data fan. Some people find that odd, but others get weirdly excited when I mention that. On my personal wellbeing journey, my watch captures my steps, my heart rates, my exercise habit and my sleep habits. 

Schools are getting better at tracking overall data as well. Our upcoming NAPLAN tests will give us some data as to how well our students are performing academically when compared to other schools, but it doesn’t tell us how well they are traveling with regards to growing up as healthy humans with good values. How well are they doing on their personal and academic goals?

Monitoring student goals

During the student-led conferences, our young scholars identified goals or areas for growth. In Term 2, Ms Hamblin is encouraging students to go on an adventure in working toward those goals. It begins with setting an intention (see video link). Why have you set the goal that you set? What makes that goal important to you?

Students are encouraged to make their own goal adventure maps over the term. They will identify barriers and obstacles. Then, they will practice strategies to overcome those barriers and track their progress. These maps allow us to gather data on how students are tracking. More than that, students are taking responsibility for gathering their own data and reflecting on their progress.

Active Travel Network Data

Later this year, some researchers from the University of Sydney will be researching the effects of the Active Travel Network (i.e. cycleways and walkways) on student travel to school. The study was undertaken by Wagga Wagga City Council in partnership with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Transport for NSW and iMOVE Australia. It hat been approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

The researchers will be onsite for five days in one week to do the following:

• record the size and access to the parking areas
• note the number of bicycle parking spaces available, type of bicycle parking and condition of the facilities. They will look at the number of bicycles and other personal transport vehicles parked in designated areas.

Observers will not interact with any students or staff during the observations. The office will have record of all the observers.

If you see people with a sign “Observations of bicycle parking are being undertaken today as part of a research project being conducted by the University of Sydney and Wagga Wagga City Council”, please know that it is a legitimate study and will not interfere with the normal operations of the school.

We hope to continue to work with the Wagga Wagga City Council to further encourage students to be active by walking and cycling to and from school.

Janet Moeller