Reflection & Celebration
Reflecting on and celebrating achievements are crucial to the learning and closure of an active citizenship project. Reflection and evaluation is the best way to ensure that maximum learning is derived from the projects.
It is important that the young people get this opportunity to look back
and feedback on the activity they have carried out. It is necessary for
them to think about what they have learned from the experience. This enables
learning to be cemented and ensures the experience has been an educational
one. It is also important that the young people's achievements are celebrated.
There are many ways to reflect on and celebrate active citizenship projects. Below are a few suggestions.
Circle time
Circle time is important as it gives each person a chance to reflect individually and also listen to the thoughts of others. The young people should sit in a circle with everyone visible and audible. They should share their thoughts about their projects and suggestions for what could have made it better. One suggestion is to ask the young people to name one good thing, one bad thing and one thing they would change about their project.
PRESENTATION / ASSEMBLY
Assemblies can be an ideal time and space to share young people’s achievements with the school. The young people could be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation about their active citizenship project. They may like to use their IT skills to show a power point presentation, video clips or photographs. It may be appropriate to invite community partners or outside guests associated with the project. By presenting in assemblies young people are given a voice and a chance to analyse and celebrate their achievements. Their presentation may inspire their peers to also participate in the community. Assemblies may also be an ideal time to distribute certificates and prizes.
PARTY / COMMUNITY EVENT
It may be appropriate to organise a party to celebrate achievements. Community partners and outside parties involved in the active citizenship project could also be invited. The important thing is to match the celebration to the amount of work the young people have put into the project.
REWARDS
Rewards can be a good way of motivating young people. They celebrate success, reward commitment and value contribution. Rewards can take the form of certificates, gift tokens or can be a celebratory meal or participatory event.
CERTIFICATES
Certificates that describe skills and attributes can be a valuable addition to young people's CV's or progress files. It may be fitting to award these at a school assembly or at a party in celebration of the community project. An outside guest could be invited to present the certificates, for example a local MP or Mayor.
Resource :
A certificate endorsed by HCA Academy and CSV which can be photocopied.
View resource 
certificate.pdf
WRITE AN ARTICLE!
Young people could write an article reflecting on their project which could be published in a school newsletter, website or local or national paper.