Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess student learning. These include observing work in class and looking closely at tasks throughout the year.
Twice a year, teachers formally assess a student’s achievement based on the outcomes described in the syllabus of each subject. A written report using the common grade scale is sent home in the first half of the year, usually near the end of Term 2, and again in Term 4. This gives a clear picture of your child’s learning.
Assessments
We provide detailed information to students about what we expect from them throughout the year and how their work will be assessed. Students have a number of formal assessments throughout their schooling.
- Best Start – a mandatory, one-to-one assessment that identifies a student’s literacy and numeracy skills at the beginning of Kindergarten.
- National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) – reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy tests for students in Years 3 and 5. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) holds the tests in May each year. Results and student reports are released in August.
- Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID) – online diagnostic science assessment for students in Year 6.
- Some students may elect to sit the opportunity class or selective high school placement tests. For more information, visit selective high schools and opportunity classes.
Twice a year teachers also assess each primary school student’s achievements based on the outcomes described in the NSW Kindergarten to 10 syllabuses available on the Board of Studies (BOSTES) website.
A written report using the common grade scale is sent home at the end of Term 2 and Term 4, to give you a clear picture of your child’s achievements.
Students have a number of assessments in primary school:
- Best start Kindergarten assessments in literacy and numeracy – helps our teachers to identify the learning needs of your child.
- National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy(NAPLAN) – assesses students’ skills in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. All students in Years 3 and 5 sit for four tests in May. NAPLAN results help teachers meet the individual literacy and numeracy needs of students. You will receive a detailed written report of your child’s achievement in the tests.
Optional assessments:
Parent-teacher meetings
Parent-teacher meetings are organised at the end of term 1 and term 3 to discuss your child’s progress. However, if you have any concerns please make an appointment to discuss these concerns as they arise with the relevant teacher.
If you need an interpreter, ask us to call the interpreter service on 13 14 50. This service is free.