17 Jun 2014
Traditionally, as part of our reporting process, we have sent home a portfolio at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2 to accompany our written reports. The work presented in these portfolios usually represented the best examples of each student's work and was made up of learning activities that the students did, over and above what they were producing in class. We also often included assessment tasks that, at times, parents found difficult to understand in terms of how they were showing what their child could and couldn't do. Feedback through parent surveys also indicated some dissatisfaction with the portfolio process with parents asking for a clearer picture of the progress, achievements and areas of focus for their child.
In response to feedback and as part of an ongoing review of our assessment and reporting processes, the teachers felt that the portfolios didn't truly represent the achievements and progress of our students and that a better representation could be found in the everyday work books that each student used across the semester.
We also reviewed our current parent and teacher interview practices and, based on feedback from parents and carers and in line with our goal of increasing opportunities for ongoing communication, we felt that a series of telephone and face to face interviews throughout the year would be far more valuable to our community.
As a result as a staff we have developed what we believe to be a better process of communicating with our parents and carers in regards to the progress and achievements of your children. We presented our ideas at a P&C meeting for feedback and Mrs Roxanne Davies presented our plans at the English and Reporting sessions held on the night of Monday 26 May. The feedback on these occasions was appreciated and was very positive. As a result, the processes for reporting and providing feedback to our parents and carers over the next two years will be trialled as follows:
2014
We began the school year with the parent information/meet the teacher evenings to outline class and stage plans for the year and to introduce the teachers. We have provided feedback through the ‘Progress Report' in Week 6 Term 1. This report is provided to inform parents of how well your child has settled into the school year and to highlight any issues that need addressing early on in the year with their new teacher.
Our Semester 1 written reports will be going home on Wednesday 25 June as normal.
Interviews will be offered to all parents at the beginning of Term 3 to discuss student progress. Face to face interviews will be offered but for those parents who are unable to make it phone interviews will also be available. Student books will be made available to parents and carers so they can look through them and get a clear idea of the learning that has taken place and how well your child has progressed to date. Parents who are unable to make a face to face interview will have the option of getting their children's books sent home to look at overnight so that they can have time to view the work that has been completed in class. All completed workbooks will be sent home to stay.
Semester 2 reports will be sent home on Friday12 December.
Interviews at the end of Term 4 will be available on parent or teacher request as required. All workbooks will be sent home to show the work that your child has been doing all year.
At any time throughout the year I would encourage parents and carers to make an appointment with the class teacher if you need to discuss any concerns or issues you have regarding your child's progress at any time. Interviews can be face to face or on the telephone depending on the need of the parent.
2015
The parent information evenings at the beginning of each year will continue. Teachers will make themselves available to schedule individual meetings as required. Teachers are also committed to making contact with every parent in Term 1 either by telephone, face to face at the end of the school day at pick up or through a scheduled meeting time. Information provided could include how they are handling the level of work, how they are settling into their class socially or to share information on your child's involvement in an event or learning task.
The progress reports will continue to be sent home in Term 1, Week 6 as feedback from many parents has indicated an appreciation of these.
Our Semester 1 written reports will be going home at the end of Semester 1 as normal.
Interviews will again be offered to all parents at the beginning of Term 3 to discuss student progress. Student workbooks will be made available to parents and carers so they can look through them but parents and carers will be able to take them home without having the need to return them to school. They will provide a true reflection of the learning your child has experienced throughout the semester and their progress to date. Students will be given new books for Semester 2.
Semester 2 reports will be sent home in December along with the workbooks containing the work from Semester 2. Interviews at the end of Term 4 will be available on parent or teacher request as required.
Again though, I would encourage parents and carers to make an appointment with the class teacher at any time throughout the year if you need to discuss any concerns or issues you have regarding your child's progress.
Report Format
This year marks the introduction of the new English syllabus in schools. To correspond with the changes associated with the new syllabus there is a change to the reporting requirements of English. In previous reports for students from years 1 to 6 we have provided an outstanding to limited mark for the modes of English (talking and listening, reading, writing etc). With the new syllabus we have been instructed by the department to provide an overall mark for English. Information about your child's progress and learning in the different aspects of English will be in the comment section under English. Kindergarten reports do not require an overall mark in English. The reporting of ‘Effort' will remain the same.
All other areas of the report will remain the same for this year. Next year, with the introduction of the new mathematics and science syllabus, we will review our reporting in these areas and make adjustments as required by the department. Information will be provided to our community as further changes take place.
If you have any questions regarding the above please do not hesitate to ring me at school on 43821416.
Kind Regards
Angela Crowe
Principal