Year One School Reports Information for Parents

“He took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them: "Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me receives not me, but him who sent me". Mark 9:36-37 Children learn so much from watching their parents and teachers. This can be a somewhat frightening thought, yet, when we think about it, they are learning many more good things than bad from being with us. Let us resolve to show them more clearly what our deepest beliefs and values look like when they are acted upon. And let us pray for the strength to teach our children, and each other, by example as well as words.

Help us to be models for our children. LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, we have long seen you as offering the great example of how life should be lived. Help us to be models for our children. May they see us as people who are loving and forgiving, peaceful and just, compassionate and generous, prayerful, full of fun and full of hope. May this meeting of ours be inspired by the ideals we hold and the hopes we have for the future of our school. AMEN

Assessment at St Bernadette’s is an essential and integrated part of teaching and learning reflects a belief that all students can improve involves setting learning goals with students provides feedback that helps students understand the next steps in learning and plan how to achieve them involves teachers, students and parents reflecting on assessment data.

What assessment strategies do we use? Assessment tasks Investigations Demonstrations Oral reports Focused Observations Student bookwork Teacher designed tests Comprehension exercises

Commonwealth Government Mandatory Reporting Requirements Schools will formally report to parents in writing twice a year. Reports will indicate student learning achievement according to an A-E scale where A= Excellent Achievement B = High Achievement C = Sound Achievement D = Basic Achievement E = Elementary Achievement Reports will be written in plain English so that they are understandable to parents

Commonwealth Government Mandatory Reporting Requirements cont…… Kindergarten Learning Reports will not include the A-E Grading Scale The Year One – Year 6 report will indicate the number of students in the cohort that have performed at each of the achievement levels.

The Levels of Achievement Describe student learning for a semester on a scale described by the letters E – A. E D C B A Elementary Achievement Basic Achievement Sound Achievement High Achievement Excellent These grades are common K-10. They are related to clearly defined standards that have been developed by the Board of Studies. The aim is to ensure that the standards are consistent across New South Wales. Catholic Education Office Diocese of Parramatta

A – E Descriptors A The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. B The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. C The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. D The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. E The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

“C” “has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.”

“A” “The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.”

Are the achievement levels determined by a formula? The number of students achieving at various levels may vary from: Key Learning Area to Key Learning Area, year group to year group semester to semester These grades are common K-10. They are related to clearly defined standards that have been developed by the Board of Studies. E Elementary Achievement D Basic Achievement C Sound Achievement B High Achievement A Excellent Achievement 5 12 23 15 3 Catholic Education Office Diocese of Parramatta

Reporting in Key Learning Areas Students’ learning achievement in a particular Key Learning Area is reported for a semester ie for 2 terms. Key Learning Areas focus on different content, skills and knowledge throughout the Year Eg Semester One HSIE focuses on History Semester Two HSIE focuses on Geography Catholic Education Office Diocese of Parramatta

Reporting in Key Learning Areas Maths and English Key Learning Areas are awarded a grade for each of the strands and then an overall grade for the Key Learning Area (KLA) KLA Strands Maths Number and Algebra Measurement and Geometry Statistics and Probability English Speaking and Listening Reading and Viewing Writing and Representing Thinking imaginatively, creatively Reflecting on learning

All other Key Learning Areas are given an overall grade for the Key Learning Area. KLA Strands Creative Arts Drama/Visual Arts/Music PDHPE Personal Development/Health/Physical Education Science & Technology Working Scientifically Working Technologically Natural Environment Made Environment HSIE History and Geography Religious Education Jesus/Church/God/Sacraments/ Scripture/Prayer/Christian Life

Reporting in Religious Education Students’ learning achievement in Religious Education is related to their knowledge and understanding of Catholicism and life as a Catholic Is reported in the same way as other KLAs is not a judgement about their faith or their goodness. Catholic Education Office Diocese of Parramatta

What will stay the same as the Kindergarten report ? As the teachers did in kindergarten - evidence in the form of records and annotated work samples are gathered by the teachers to validate learning report results and as reference for points of discussion with parents and students. Students learning will be discussed with parents in terms of a continuum of development and achievement. Parents, students and teachers will be able to continue to discuss students achievement based on a wide variety of evidence ( A-E does not correlate to a mark on a test )

Over to you………...