Mr Irwin's Message
Camp
Last week our students enjoyed the sights of Mebourne at Urban Camp. For this week’s newsletter video I have asked our school letters to put together a summary of their experience at Camp to share with you.
Reports
As I shared in the last newsletter I wanted to provide an outline of Semester Reports in this edition of the newsletter. In the teaching and learning section of the newsletter Ms Barnett has explained the change in Mathematics, however I will be providing a run through of how our reports work.
The first item you will read in your child’s report is their General Comment. This is written by the classroom teacher as a summary of what your child has broadly achieved this semester. It is not encompassing everything they have achieved, however is designed to give insight into their learning, organisational and social achievements.
For each learning area students are provided with a rating and progression point (dot) to measure their progress against the Curriculum.
The rating scale used in reports differs from what parents may have experienced as a child at primary school, high school and even university. It’s important to understand what the rating means.
A= Working 18 months or more above expected level.
B= Working 6-12 months above expected level.
C= Working within 6 months of expected level or at expected level.
D= Working 12 months below expected level.
E= Working more than 12 months below expected level.
It can be the case that parents read reports and are concerned that students have only been rated a ‘C’. However, a ‘C’ means children are working at the expected level of the curriculum and across the school and therefore achieving well.
In English and Maths, reports include the Achievement Standards continuum. This provides a more detailed insight into the skills students have demonstrated at school, and those that are next steps. These are not personalised learning goals, but progress against the mandated Victorian Curriculum.
For Specialist and Discovery subjects, reports will contain a blurb about content covered across Semester One, along with a progression point and effort and class behaviour rating for students.
The last curriculum areas reported on are a series of subject areas students have covered in their Literacy Content knowledge units. Teachers have provided a progression point for each of these to ensure students are marked across all areas of the Victorian Curriculum.
The last page of Semester Reports shows how students have rated against the five school values.
Once you receive reports if you have any queries or concerns regarding the information provided, you are most welcome to make a time to speak with your child’s teacher. Please keep in mind that Student Led Conferences are dedicated time to have students share their learning, and not an opportunity to discuss reports. If you do wish to do this contact the appropriate teacher and make a time with them to discuss your questions further.
Last day of Term
A reminder that our final assembly of Term will commence at 2:00pm for a 2:30pm finish. At this assembly our Students With Amazing Growth (SWAG) award winners will be announced before we break for holidays.
-Sam Irwin
Healthy Eating at TPS
