School News

Three Way Conferences @ APS ~ Overview

What is a Three Way Conference?

A Three Way Conference involves the student, teacher and parents/carers. It enables students to develop their capacity to reflect on their learning, to celebrate success and to set future learning goals. The structure of the Three Way Conferences also helps to strengthen the home/school partnership by giving parents/carers greater insight into their child’s learning.

What is the purpose of Three Way Conferences?

Assessment is the ongoing process of gathering, analysing and reflecting on evidence to make informed and consistent judgments to improve future student learning. There is a range of assessment approaches that inform us of student progress. The Three Way Conference focuses on ‘Assessment 

As Learning’ where students reflect and monitor their own progress to help them identify and achieve future learning goals with the support of teachers and parents.

The Three Way Conference, along with the written semester 1 report and your child’s portfolio (Seesaw), forms a significant component of our assessment practices at Alphington Primary School.

What will a Three Way Conference look like?

The length of each conference is 15 minutes. The conference is convened in the student’s classroom, where the student shares selected work samples, outlining successes and future learning goals. During this process the teacher and parents/carers support the student by clarifying, questioning and prompting.

Please note that there will be an opportunity for parents to meet with the teacher without the student, in the last 5 minutes of the conference, if required.

How can you help to make the conference successful for your child?

1. Adhere to the time frame
   • Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the conference so your child has time to collect their thoughts
   • Leave promptly at the end of the conference to allow the next child to commence on time
2. Give your child your complete attention for the duration of the conference
   • Make eye contact with your child as they share their work
   • Respond in a positive way, making affirming comments about their learning and asking questions to find out more
3. Talk about the conference again at a later date

The conference provides an excellent starting point for further family discussion. During the conference you will hear your child talk about their learning. These conversations will, no doubt, continue at home.

How might you respond to your child?

• I really liked it when...
• You’ve really improved in...
• I noticed...
• It was a good idea to...

The type of questions you could ask your child. Foundation – Year 2

• Can you tell me what you have learnt?
• Is there anything you would do differently next time?
• What did you like about this activity?
• What did you find interesting about this activity? Year 3 - Year 6
• Where did you get the idea for this piece of work?
• Why have you chosen this piece of work to share with us?
• Can you tell me what you have learnt?
• If you did this task again what might you do differently or change?
• What did you find interesting about this activity?

We trust that your involvement in the Three Way conference will be an enjoyable experience for you and your child. We look forward to celebrating your child’s learning alongside you.

Student Free Days

Canteen 

Canteen will start up again after Ski Camp. Dates below:

Thursday 1st August

Thursday 15th August

Thursday 29th August

Thursday 5th September

Thursday 19th September

TheirCare Update

Parents Victoria - Parent Survey - School Saving Bonus

The School Saving Bonus will be available to parents and carers of every child enrolled in a Victorian government school in 2025. If you are a parent or carer of more than one child, your school will receive the $400 credit for each child under your family account. The Department of Education is currently working on how the School Saving Bonus can be spent. 

The department is seeking feedback from parents and carers through a short survey. 

Your feedback is important. More information about the School Saving Bonus is available on the Victorian Government website. The department will provide more guidance about the Bonus in Term 3, 2024.

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