Some students have regular opportunities for the learning and practising of essential skills. This year, we focused on students aged between 12-17 years.

We start each quarter with the evaluations completed by teachers. At the end of each quarter, teacher re-evaluate the students and their progress using the Skills Builder Hub. We also use specific questionaries and student testimonies to measure the impact. Some students use Skills Builder Benchmark as a self-evaluation tool.

With the planned activities and the understanding of the level of development of each group, teachers remind students of their focus skill. For example, teachers remind students to listen and appreciate each members opinions with respect or to think strategically to make effective group decisions. Using specific steps from the framework allows teachers and students to focus tightly.

We create activities to give students the opportunity to put in to practise the theory and experience real life situations so that they can practice their skills. The Talents and Skills Challenge competition is an opportunity to reinforce teamwork, leadership, creativity, listening and speaking skills. Students also have the opportunity to present their ideas (speaking and listening skills) and create and organise their own events (creativity, speaking, listening, leadership and aiming high). We also introduced a project called “The World in 30 Years”. Students are encouraged to imagine the world in 30 years and how their talent and skills would form part of the world. This project provides an opportunity for students to keep practising the skills that they have developed.

The Talents and Skills Challenge Competition is a great way to bring the essential skills to life. We celebrate this on Instagram, and it helps to ensure that students see the relevance and importance of essential skills in the wider world.