Have a learning conversation

Using feedback with your child

We know that families play a crucial role in supporting student learning, as does ongoing feedback to students on their progress.  Recently released Learning Behaviour Reports, CAT and SAC feedback and NAPLAN results, as well as the Student Parent Teacher Conversations, make this an ideal time to engage with your child and to partner with us around their learning.  

Having a meaningful conversation with your child about their learning can sometimes be difficult. How can you avoid the one-word brush-off and assist them to reflect on their progress? Here are a few strategies.

1. Stay positive and focus on progress. Acknowledge effort and improvement, as well as achievement, with specific statements. For example: "Your Science teacher's feedback is that you have really improved the level of detail in your prac reports: I'm really pleased to see the extra effort you've put in there."

2. Ask how they feel. Ask about areas of a subject they feel confident in and are enjoying, and why. Similarly, ask which aspects they are feeling less sure about. Talk about their expectations of themselves, and their interests, without judgement or comparison to yourself, their peers or their siblings.

3. Employ a growth mindset. Ask questions that encourage your child to see setbacks and mistakes as learning opportunities, and to see challenges as desirable. Turn "I'm not sure I can do it, I'm just not very good at {subject/task}"  to "I'm not sure I can do it yet, but I think I can learn to with time and effort".  For more on growth mindset thinking, see https://mindsetonline.com/changeyourmindset/natureofchange/index.html

4. Work with your child to set realistic, concrete and achievable goals based on their learning feedback. For example, getting the next English assignment finished on time, asking a question if they're stuck in Maths class or taking all their equipment to Language class.  Focussing on small successes will build confidence and resilience and encourage them to see the feedback as an opportunity to grow.

With credit to https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/talking-about-school-reports-with-your-teen

Where to find assessment feedback

To prepare for the Parent Student Teacher conversations we recommend that you log on to myNorthcoteHigh to have a look at any assessment feedback that has been provided. Feedback will usually be in the form of rubrics and comments which  will be personalised and improvement-focussed, with strategies which will help each child achieve their personal best. If you have any trouble accessing your child’s feedback through the myNorthcoteHigh portal please contact Mr Josh McDonald at mcdonald.josh.t@edumail.vic.gov.au