Teaching and Learning

The Purpose of Assessment at SEPS

As we approach the end of the year, our teachers and students are engaging in a range of assessments to support the development of accurate and meaningful teacher judgements for student reports. Assessment plays a vital role in understanding how each child is progressing against the Victorian Curriculum, but its purpose goes well beyond a simple snapshot of achievement.

While each assessment provides information from one point in time, together they build a detailed picture of a student’s current strengths, challenges, and learning behaviours. In line with the Department of Education’s advice, we use multiple sources of evidence to ensure we have a comprehensive and balanced understanding of every learner. This may include formal assessments, classroom observations, work samples, conversations with students, and ongoing monitoring throughout the term.

Importantly, the information we gather is used not only to determine where a student is currently working, but also to identify their next steps in learning. This helps teachers plan focused, evidence-based instruction that supports growth for every child.

Assessment also plays a key role in our wider school planning. The insights gained this term help teachers design learning opportunities for next year, as the data supports our curriculum planning ensuring we can meet the needs of each cohort from day one.. They also inform decisions around class placements for 2026, enabling us to create balanced and supportive learning environments. 

At SEPS, assessment is ultimately about understanding each learner so we can continue to support them to succeed, achieve growth, and feel confident in their learning journey.