Capturing student voice
My Say My Way (MSMW) is a pioneering NSW Department of Education initiative led by CESE, in partnership with Inclusion and Wellbeing and the Information Technology directorate, to develop a suite of accessible student voice tools to collect data on the educational experience and wellbeing at school of students with disability.
This work complements the NSW Public Schools Surveys (NPSS), which gathers insights from students, parents and school staff about their experiences at school. MSMW is offered as an alternative to the NPSS, and has been designed from the start to ensure accessibility features are inbuilt for learners with disability, supporting their access to and participation in student voice surveys.
MSMW will be delivered through a phased roll-out
We are committed to ensuring that every aspect of MSMW meets the needs of schools, and are therefore taking a phased roll-out approach.
- In 2026, MSMW is available to all schools for specific purposes and all primary and secondary schools with support units.
- In 2027, MSMW will be available to all schools.
By starting in a few settings and refining the work based on school feedback, we are aiming to lay strong foundations and ensure schools feel confident and supported to deliver MSMW.
[Narrator] My Say My Way supports students with disability and complex learning needs to share their voice and have a say. Through a suite of accessible student voice tools with built-in customisation features, My Say My Way provides a systematic way to collect data on these students' wellbeing at school and their educational experience. There are 3 student voice tools, the Student Accessible Survey, the Guided Discussion Methods tool, and the Parent Carer Insight survey. Let's take a look at My Say My Way in action in our NSW public school.
[Computer] I feel that I belong at school.
[Teacher 1] Yeah. Nice work.
[Teacher 2] Remember, you're gonna tell me if you like something.
[Computer] Like.
[Teacher 2] If you're not sure, you don't know about something.
[Computer] I don't know.
[Teacher 2] Or if you don't like something.
[Computer] Don't like.
[Leonie Donaldson] My Say My Way is supporting our school by really amplifying student voice, and that is so important for every single one of our students to be able to have their voice heard, and have what they say acted upon.
[Teacher 3] When we come out, do you wanna choose the playground? The playground makes you happy.
[Teacher 3] I, what's this one? I like?
[Student 1] I.
[Teacher 3] School, do you like school? You do?
[Student 1] School, school.
[Student 2] I like having a say at school.
[Narrator] My Say My Way will support your students to have their say and be heard. You can use their student voice data to help shape learning programs, and inform decision making in your school.
Contact details
For any questions about MSMW, please contact mysaymyway.cese@det.nsw.edu.au