Curriculum and Academic Reporting

In this week’s newsletter, I’d like to make families aware of some slight changes to the way in which we will be reporting a student’s classroom behaviour and effort.

Previously, students would be marked on a five-point scale, using the following markers:

• Excellent
• Very Good
• Good
• Acceptable
• Needs Improvement 

Moving forward, students will still be marked on a five-point scale, using the new markers listed below:

• Excellent
• Very Good
• Good
• Needs Improvement
• Not Acceptable

The reports will now have a description of what each marker means. This is similar to the one you are used to seeing which describes the placement of a student’s progression point.  While we have previously had expectations that the teachers mark students against for behaviour and effort, these expectations have not been shown on reports. You will now be able to see them on the report and can read the descriptions below.

BEHAVIOUR

Excellent: For students who are considered 'Above and Beyond'. Any student receiving this mark would have been recognised as an 'Above and Beyond' student during the semester.

Very Good: For students who are considered 'Model Citizens'.

Good: For students who only need occasional reminders about expected behaviours.

Needs Improvement: For students who have difficulty in maintaining acceptable behaviour and need constant teacher support and intervention.

Not Acceptable: For students who display consistent disrespect towards their teacher and fellow students, constantly disrupting the flow of lessons.

EFFORT

Excellent: For students who are considered 'Above and Beyond'. Any student receiving this mark would have been recognised as an 'Above and Beyond' students during the semester.

Very Good: For students who are considered 'Model Citizens'.

Good: For students who only need occasional reminders about work expectations.

Needs Improvement: For students who have difficulty meeting work expectations and need regular reminders to keep them on task and producing and completing acceptable work.

Not Acceptable: For students who constantly produce work that is not to an acceptable standard or do not complete expected tasks.

When a student is given a mark at the mid-point of the five-point scale for their academic progress, they are working at the expected level for their age. Similarly, if a student receives a mark at the mid-point of the five-point scale for classroom behaviour or effort, they are showing behaviour or effort levels that we would expect to see at their year level. Achieving at the mid-point of the five-point scale is not a negative!

If you have any further questions regarding this change, please feel free to contact me.

Rowan Balzary

Assistant Principal