Leadership and Management
Reporting in Semester One
Semester One Reports were electronically sent home to families yesterday, along with a letter outlining the format for Student-Led Conferences next Monday and Wednesday. All students have been working on self-reflections and evaluating their learning in Semester One, in order to prepare for their conversations in the conference.
Therefore, it is compulsory for all students to attend.
As stated in the Reporting letter that went home last week, you may notice some changes to our student reports this semester in line with the implementation of the new Victorian Curriculum in all government and Catholic schools from the beginning of 2017. The Victorian Curriculum replaces the previous AusVELS curriculum.
The Victorian Curriculum is structured as a single developmental learning continuum and is organised by levels not years of schooling. The curriculum consists of Towards Foundation Levels A to D and Levels Foundation to 10. All curriculum areas have achievement standards, describing what students are able to understand and do.
All students progress along the learning continuum at their own rate and from their own starting point. Students are taught at the level that suits their needs, rather than being taught to the year level and age group they are in. Teachers provide learning opportunities to support the learning for all students, including those students with additional learning needs or a disability.
Please keep in mind that as this is a new curriculum this Report is not designed nor should be compared to previous years’ reports. We can, however, show your child’s progress in English and Mathematics in Semester 1 as these learning areas were introduced and taught in 2016. For all other curriculum areas being introduced with the new curriculum, student progress can only be shown in reports from Semester 2, 2017 onwards.
Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)
Schools under Review undergo an initial assessment by the VRQA. All registered schools must participate in reviews, including providing the VRQA with evidence of compliance.
Registered schools must meet the requirements of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (the Act) and the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2007.
The minimum standards for registration address:
- School governance (democratic principles, structure, probity, philosophy and not-for-profit status democratic principles, structure, probity, philosophy and not-for-profit status)
- Enrolment (student enrolment numbers, enrolment policy, register of enrolments)
- Curriculum and student learning (curriculum framework, student learning outcomes, monitoring and reporting on students' performance)
- Student Welfare (care, safety and welfare of students, discipline, attendance monitoring, attendance register)
- Staff employment (teacher registration requirements, compliance with the Working with Children Act 2005
- School infrastructure (buildings, facilities and grounds and educational facilities).
Over the past month, we have been working closely with a consultant, Jan Kozak, to collate the documents required for compliance with the VRQA. She will return in August to continue this part of the Review process.