Learning & Innovation

Ms Melissa D'Amico

Assistant Principal (Learning and Innovation)

I am excited to share an important update regarding our efforts to enhance communication and parental engagement in your child's education.

Starting from this term, our teachers will be implementing a new system for notifying parents about upcoming assessment tasks. Each time an assessment is set for students, a Notification of Assessment document will be uploaded to AIMS.

Some key Points about the Notification of Assessment:

You will receive timely notifications about each upcoming assessment task your child is expected to complete. This initiative is aimed at fostering greater parental engagement in your child's learning journey. By being informed about assessments, you can provide the necessary support and encouragement to help your child succeed.

The Notification of Assessment will include important details about the assessment, such as the subject, date, and format. This information will enable you to guide your child in preparing thoroughly for each task.

 It is crucial for both parents and students to recognise that these assessments contribute to the overall result for the subject. Emphasising the significance of each task helps students understand the importance of consistent effort. The results of these assessments will be included in the end-of-semester report, providing a comprehensive overview of your child's academic progress. 

We believe that this proactive approach to communication will strengthen the partnership between parents, teachers, and students. Thank you for your continued support in creating an optimal learning environment for our students.

NAPLAN testing

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) serves as a comprehensive assessment initiative designed for students across Australian schools in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. This program meticulously evaluates their proficiency in Literacy and Numeracy, emphasising a holistic approach to knowledge and skills. Since its inception in 2008, NAPLAN has become an integral annual event in Australian schools.

Scheduled to take place from Wednesday March 13, to Friday March 22, NAPLAN testing provides invaluable insights into student achievements. The results obtained from these assessments offer a wealth of information for students, parents, teachers and school leaders. This data serves as a foundation for informed decision-making and facilitates the development of targeted teaching and learning programs.

NAPLAN testing will be held between Wednesday 13 March and Friday 22 March, at these times:

Each student will be required to complete four tests: Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. Students who are absent for test sessions will undertake catch-up tests wherever possible, between Monday 18 March and Friday 22 March. 

Please make sure that your child has a working, fully charged iPad and a working set of headphones that can be used with his/her iPad for the NAPLAN test days. If your child’s iPad does not yet have the NAP Locked-Down Browser app installed and updated to the 2024 version (which has a lime green icon), please install this immediately, by going to the App store on the student’s iPad and searching for ‘NAP Locked-Down Browser’, and either ‘GET’ or ‘UPDATE’.

NAPLAN tests fundamental skills rather than specific content, and as such are not tests for which students can study or drill. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day. The use of commercially available practice materials and/or services by coaching providers is not recommended.

Parent reports provide detailed information about the results of each student on the testing days in Literacy and Numeracy, showing how each student’s achievement level compares to others in Australia. The results are provided by government bodies, and this year are expected to be available by the end of Term 2. More information about the results will be provided in due course.

Further information about the tests, prepared for parents by ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) is available at the following link: https://nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support/

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on the following days:

Thursday 14 March from 3:30pm until 6:00pm

Tuesday 19 March from 3:30pm until 6:00pm

Wednesday 27 March from 3:30pm until 6:00pm

Interviews will be conducted via Zoom so you can participate in them from your own home or workplace. Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews will open 4pm on Monday 4 March. Detailed instructions on how to make and cancel appointments will be emailed to all parents when the bookings open. 

I encourage you to make appointment times with your child’s teachers; it’s a great opportunity to meet the teachers who have such an influence on your child, and for us all to make links between home and school to support your child’s learning and development.

Parents will need their AIMS login details which all new families were emailed in January. Existing parents are asked to use their current login details for AIMS and access the parent portal to make their bookings. Contact itsupport@aitkencollege.edu.au if you need assistance.