A prize for the application that improves school coexistence, another for the reduction and management of waste in the school life and a third place in the national mathematics Olympiad enliven the school life of the Augustinian Recollects centre in Valladolid.
Over time, the students of the educational centres become accustomed to participating in the various evaluations they receive throughout their educational process. However, the educational centres themselves also undergo frequent evaluations of their programmes, their professionals and their pedagogical and educational initiatives.
This helps them to constantly improve, strengthen what benefits their students the most and overcome new or old challenges. Some are self-assessments that are routinely carried out during meetings between professionals and managers; others are external, by Public Administrations; and others are less obvious but also assess the centre, such as the granting of certain awards.
Three examples of the latter have been in the news in recent weeks for Saint Augustine College of the Augustinian Recollects Fathers, in Valladolid, Spain.
ConvivApp, award for promoting well-being
Since the 2015/2016 academic year, a programme has been improving coexistence in the school community with the participation of “helping students” and “mediating students” and a technological tool, ConvivApp, an application against bullying and problems of coexistence.
Those who believe they are experiencing or are witnesses of a bullying situation can report it through the application in a simple and anonymous way, so that the relevant actions can be immediately initiated to put an end to the situation.
The student helpers and the student mediators receive the necessary training for their functions of observation, listening, mediation and promotion of dialogue. They meet with their classmates and investigate the level of satisfaction, tranquility, peace and respect in daily school life.
Part of the success of the program can be measured in the award, by Catholic Schools of Castilla y León, of the “Prize for the promotion of well-being and emotional education in the educational field”, which the School has extended to the 58 students who are direct collaborators in the program.
Award for the “Zero Waste Breaks” program
On the other hand, Saint Agustine High School has been congratulated by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge for its implementation of the “Zero Waste Breaks” program organized by the Teachers For Future Spain group.
This is a joint commitment and effort by students and teachers to reduce waste by using reusable containers and applying sustainable waste management practices. The amount of garbage has been reduced and greater awareness about recycling has been promoted.
VI National Mathematics Olympiad for Under-12s
Finally, the 6th grade student from Saint Agustine High School, Raúl García, has achieved third place in the VI National Mathematics Olympiad for Under-12s, organized by the Madrid Society of Mathematics Teachers ‘Emma Castelnuovo’ and convened by the Spanish Federation of Mathematics Teachers’ Societies (FESPM).
From 26 to 29 June, 50 6th grade students from all over Spain participated in individual and group mathematics challenges. It was also an opportunity for them to meet each other, exchange ideas and inspire each other through workshops, conferences, visits, walks, gymkhanas and the mathematics evening.
Raúl was one of the three winners of the regional phase (Soria, 11 May) and competed brilliantly and with effort. His third place will also lead him to participate in the international phase in December.
