In early November, a new practice of developing a sense of unity in senior classes started at Savremena. The idea is that the students accumulate as many positive points at the end of the term/school year as possible, for which they eventually receive prizes.

At the beginning of the contest, each senior class has a certain number of points. The number can increase or decrease depending on the behaviour of each individual student or the class as a whole.

A stronger community means stronger personalities

A table with the scoring system is updated at the end of each workweek. An interactive scoreboard like the ones in sports arenas, located in the school hallway, is constantly reminding students of the current score of each class, i.e. community. This adds a competitive dimension to the whole idea.

The students invest a joint effort to gain positive points so as to reach the end goal: to develop unity in class and not turn against each other. Their effort will pay off, as the best students will earn prizes for their work and dedication.

The class teachers are there to help the students and encourage their shared effort in every possible way. The teachers’ task is also to explain the scoring system that is implemented in the classroom. The teachers will regularly enter class activities in the e-diary and class register, and add the points regarding the students’ discipline or lack thereof.

This will allow the students who encourage unity, as well as those who do not, to know the score at all times. In addition, this will provide them with a sense of individual and collective responsibility. And by improving their group, they are strengthening their own personalities.

A shared effort to earn points and forge true friendships

Some of the segments that are scored are participation in the contest, a prize at the school contest, participation in a municipal and city-wide contest, and a prize in the national contest.

Also, important aspects for which students receive points are classroom tidiness and the students’ participation in free activities such as Sports Day, quizzes and school shows. A good mark will also affect the final positive score.

Students can also get negative points for the elements that need improving. The negative scoring system is designed to motivate the students to catch up with their friends who are leading on the scoreboard.

The new practice has proved to be highly successful in the best primary schools across the world, and has elicited great feedback from the students who are already eager to collect points in order to improve their class. They are motivated to establish a real, friendly relationship full of mutual support, effort and dedication.

We are sure that the affirmation of cultural values will continue, and that the students will gain the skills and knowledge that will enable them to have a positive attitude towards their environment and surroundings.