Learning Focus
You Will Never Get It Right
You will never get it right is the message we often hear from education experts whenever three particular topics arise in schools:
- Homework
- Parent Communication
- End-of-Semester Reports
The reason is simple: no two families have identical expectations. With approximately 350 families at Newport Lakes Primary School, the diversity of opinions is as broad as it is passionate. Some families ask for more - more homework, more communication, more details about their child’s progress. Others would prefer less - less homework, less overwhelm, fewer emails. Most, thankfully, seem content with the balance we aim for, but it’s a tightrope we walk every day.
While the intricacies of homework might be a topic for another time (and I’ve got plenty of childhood kitchen bench stories… my father’s insistence on learning my times tables… the need to use a ruler to keep my margins straight), this week I want to lift the curtain on what goes into your child’s end-of-semester reports.
I remember the anxiety of waiting for my own school reports, especially the ones in white A4 envelopes back in high school. One year - probably Year 9 - I rode my bike home as fast as I could, the envelope like a brick in my school bag next to my emptied locker contents. My mission? Open it before anyone else could. I guessed I had about five minutes to figure out how to unseal the envelope, somehow adjust any of my… questionable results, and reseal it perfectly before my parents saw it. A ridiculous plan (but I was full of them as a kid).
I flicked on the kettle, thinking steam might do the trick. But with my not-yet-fully-developed teenage brain in charge, all I ended up with were burnt fingertips, a crumpled envelope, and a confused mother walking through the door.
I sometimes wonder if kids in 2024 feel a similar worry when report time rolls around. Just like I did all those years ago, they might feel nervous about how their efforts will be seen and whether their results will meet expectations - both their own and their families. Thankfully, reporting at Newport Lakes is more nuanced than simple letter grades sealed in envelopes. Today, teachers synthesise data from multiple sources - writing samples, reading conferences, open-ended tasks - and collaborate with colleagues to ensure assessments align with the Victorian Curriculum. This process ensures your child’s report reflects a balanced and accurate picture of their progress.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in an NLPS report:
Work Habits
This section provides an overview of your child’s approach to their studies, including effort, behaviour, and organisational skills. It highlights how they engage with learning tasks and work with peers.
Written Comments
Teachers include a general comment about your child’s learning journey, reflecting their achievements and how they embody our school values. They also outline three specific areas for future growth, providing clear guidance for the next steps.
Victorian Curriculum Progression Points
Progression points indicate where your child sits within the curriculum at the time of reporting. These are categorised into five achievement bands, from well below to well above the expected level, aligning with the Victorian Curriculum standards.
Learning Indicators
Key Assessment Indicators (KAIs) give specific feedback on skills and knowledge developed during the semester. They outline your child’s proficiency in essential learning outcomes across the various subjects.
Specialist Subjects
Reports include overviews of your child’s work habits and engagement in specialist subjects such as Art, Music, PE, Library, Drama, and AUSLAN. Each specialist teacher highlights the semester's learning focus and provides insights into your child’s progress.
At NLPS, reports are designed to celebrate student achievements, highlight growth areas, and guide future learning. It is important to remember that growth doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes, a child’s report might show a plateau in progression points while significant growth is happening elsewhere - socially, emotionally, or in ways that can’t always be captured on paper.
Teachers are human, and mistakes can happen. I was Matt (with two t’s) in many of my reports, but in one, I was, for whatever reason, Shane (not that it bothered me much). While we aim for perfection, we also encourage families to focus on the broader picture of growth, knowing that every report reflects a collaborative and dedicated effort to support your child’s learning journey.
A Personal Note
As this is my last article for the year, I’d like to thank all the parents who have shared that they have enjoyed reading my ramblings (“Learning Focus” might be a misleading title for this page). It is heartening to know that these articles are being read!
To the parents of our outgoing Year 6 students, I want to express my gratitude. The Year 6 cohort includes the last group of kids I was fortunate enough to teach, and Newport Lakes will lose some incredibly supportive families as they move on to the next stage of education.
Wishing you all a restful summer,
Mat (with one t) Williamson
Assistant Principal