Learning and Teaching

Formal written reports are prepared by teachers at the end of each school semester, designed to give parents an overview of where a student is progressing academically and socially, highlight areas for improvement, and celebrate achievements.

Students are marked on a five point A-E scale against the Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards for each relevant Learning Area and Capabilities. The scores provided indicate student achievement in comparison to the expected level of achievement.

Rating Achievement Descriptor

A - Well Above Standard (Well above the expected standard at this time of year)

B - Above Standard (Within 6 months above the expected standard at this time of year)

C  - At Standard (At the expected standard at this time of year)

D - Below Standard (Within 6 months below the expected standard at this time of year)

E - Well Below Standard (Well below the expected standard at this time of year

**A student who has achieved the “C” rating indicates they have met the statewide standards, by which students achievement is measured**

It is important to note the following:

- English and Mathematics are assessed in both Semester One and Two, whilst all other Learning Areas are assessed once a year depending on when that Learning Area has been taught. 

- Students working Well Above Standard or Well Below Standard will receive further clarification regarding their progress in the form of a written English or Mathematics comment.

- The Capabilities are assessed once every two years. 

Further indicators of progress will be provided in curriculum area checklists for:

- Religious Education

- English

- Mathematics

- Inquiry Learning (inclusive of Geography, History, Science, Digital Technologies, Design Technologies and Visual Arts, as well Media Arts, Civics and Citizenship, and Economics and Business, when applicable) 

- Capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capability, Intercultural Capability and Personal and Social Capability)   

- Specialist Areas

Checklists are created by staff in line with the Victorian Curriculum Achievement Standards, which describe some of the key skills students have been working on in each curriculum area.

A General Comment is also provided for overall school achievement, and an indication of each student’s effort and behaviour in regards to their learning and work habits. Specialist teacher use a Work Habits scale.

Tips for Reading School Reports with Your Child

1. Read the report by yourself first.

Gain an overview to frame appropriate questions and understand what things mean before going over the report together. This ensures you are prepared.

2. Set aside time to read the report.

Give it the right amount of time and energy to show you value your child’s efforts and the teachers’ work. This also allows for thorough discussion and implementation of feedback.

3. Try the “sandwich” approach.

Start with a good grade, then read the not-so-good one, and end with another positive. For instance, if your child did well in History, less well in Maths, but excellently in English, you would discuss History, Maths, and then English. Highlight the positives.

4. Focus on effort.

Effort is crucial. Discuss what “effort” looks like and encourage your child to focus on improvement in this area. Effort is a tangible aspect that your child can control and feel good about.

5. Take notes and strategize on what needs work.

Write down goals for areas needing improvement. Discuss pain points and how to overcome them. Set achievable goals for the next report period.

6. Talk up how amazing your child is.

Highlight the positive adjectives in the personality section. Ask your child for examples and provide your own to reinforce the teacher’s positive comments. This is especially important for children who struggle academically to boost their self-esteem.

7. Go over the report with the teacher.

If anything in the report is unclear, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with the teacher. This can help your child understand the report better and provide valuable feedback to the teacher as well.

8. Celebrate a good report.

Recognize great effort, grades, and comments with a celebration. Simple acknowledgments like posting the report on the fridge, sending a copy to grandparents, or other special activities can be very motivating.

Reading the school report with your child allows them to see firsthand what they are doing well and where they can improve. It helps them understand expectations and how to meet them. Celebrating the end of a semester, whether it’s the halfway point or the end of the year, acknowledges your child’s achievements and sets a positive tone for the future.

Laura Leung

Learning and Teaching