Dear Parents and Caregivers

On Friday, 27 June the student’s half yearly school reports will be distributed using the Compass Parent Portal.

To access the report:

Your child’s achievement for each key learning area is reported using a five point scale (Elementary, Basic, Sound, Thorough, Extensive).

The five point scale lets teachers report student academic achievements at any point in time using clear standards. The teachers have made a professional on-balance judgement to decide which grade best matches the standards your child has achieved, based on assessment information they have collected. An on-balance judgement does not just focus on a single piece of work.

The standards have two important components. These can be thought of in terms of what students are expected to learn and how well they have achieved.

The outcomes in the NSW syllabuses state what students at each stage are expected to learn. The five point scale describes how well students achieve.

What is the five point scale?

The five point scale summarises the standard (or quality) of achievement associated with each scale. The scale describes:

• the depth of knowledge and understanding and
• the range of skills that students working at that standard typically show.

Your child will get the achievement scale that best matches the standard of their achievement. Teachers are not limited to set numbers of each scale within their class or school.

Scales are one aspect of school reporting to parents. Other important tools include:

• teacher comments and feedback
• parent-teacher interviews
• information about student effort and application
• the work samples, and
• the scale descriptors

Parent/Teacher Interviews

The half yearly reports do not have a general comment. This is consistent with all schools across the Wollongong diocese. However, what is equally beneficial is the opportunity for you to meet with your child’s classroom teacher and it is an important part of the half yearly reporting process.

Parent/Teacher Interviews provide an important opportunity for teachers, students and parents to acknowledge student progress and achievement and discuss some clear steps forward for future growth.

Following are some tips offered by Michael Grose – Australia’s leading parenting educator - to help make the interview a successful experience for everyone involved:

1. Prepare well

Before the meeting, list any questions that you want to raise. Writing information down in advance ensures that your point of view is expressed and that critical information is covered. You may also like to take notes during the meeting so that vital information isn’t missed.

2. Stay solution-focused

When your child’s learning challenges are discussed it can be difficult not to become defensive or sceptical however, it is important to stay open-minded. Try to view the information shared as an opportunity to discuss your child’s strengths and needs as well as any further support required.

3. Trust the teacher

Teachers view your child through a different lens than you and their conclusions and solutions can seem at odds with your own views. At these times you need to trust the professionalism of your child’s teacher who has more than likely experienced these same challenges before.

4. Ask what you can do

Show your commitment to supporting your child’s progress by asking about ways you can best support your child at home. 

Information on how to book your appointment online has been posted on Compass.