A Message from the Deputy Principal

Updates to Student Reports and Learning Conversations 

This year, we have made several updates to our student reports and learning conversations to ensure they align with the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) reporting guidelines, which were updated in November last year. These changes are designed to provide families with clearer, more consistent information about both student achievement and progress over time. 

What’s changing in reports? 

Our reports continue to be based on the Victorian Curriculum achievement standards, as required by the VCEA. Each learning area now clearly reflects how students are progressing toward these standards. To support this, reports will include an achievement score (progression point or dot point) for each learning area assessed during the term. Previously, these progression points were provided only for Mathematics and English. Please note: we have always taught and assessed all learning areas (such as history, geography, science, etc.) but this is the first time they will appear as an achievement score on the report.  

These achievement scores will be used consistently in future reports, allowing parents to see how much progress their child has made since the learning area was last reported on, see sample below. This provides a clearer picture of growth over time, rather than achievement at a single point. If a learning area is being reported on in this way for the first time, the dotted progress line will not be shown.

To further improve clarity, we have also reduced the number of achievement statements in reports and aligned them more closely with the Victorian Curriculum achievement standards. This ensures reports are concise, meaningful, and focused on key learning outcomes. 

Please note that the ‘Areas for Future Learning’ comment will no longer appear in written reports. Instead, this information will be shared and discussed in partnership with families during parent–teacher meetings. 

Changes to parent–teacher meetings 

In light of the change to reports we have also reviewed the format of ‘three-way conversations’ which were previously held at the end of Term 3.  Moving forward, families will be invited to attend a parent–teacher meeting in Week 1 of Term 3 (Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th July).

These meetings will provide an opportunity to: 

• Discuss the report 
• Ask questions about achievement and progress 
• Talk about areas for future learning and next steps 

We believe this timing allows for stronger home–school partnerships and clearer communication about learning. 

Earlier this year, we also introduced beginning‑of‑year meetings as an opportunity for families to share valuable information about their child with the teacher. These meetings focused on getting to know each student and building strong connections with families. We received very positive feedback from families about this approach. 

Open Classroom Expos 

Following the success of our Open Classroom Expo at the end of Term One, we will continue to offer this opportunity at the end of Term 2 and 3.  These dates will be shared via the newsletter. During these times, all classrooms will be open simultaneously, and parents are welcome to visit.  

These sessions provide opportunities to: 

• View cumulative learning across the term 
• See evidence of progress and growth over time 
• Celebrate the gains students have made in their learning 
• Give students an authentic audience 

Reporting & Assessment Feedback Opportunities at St Jospeh the Worker 

We value the opportunity to work in partnership with families and look forward to continuing to share and celebrate student progress and achievement throughout the year. 

Warm regards,

Sarah Goulding

Deputy Principal