Kia ora e te whaanau,

Our teaching staff has been busy throughout the term collecting and analysing assessment data, writing report comments, and working with the tamariki to create samples of their learning for the upcoming Student-Led Conferences.

As mentioned in a recent email about Student-Led Conferences, our Mid-Term reporting process for whaanau includes the Powerful Learning Report with Curriculum Achievement Graphs, the Student-Led Conference, and the written comments in the Learning Journals.

Background Information

The New Zealand Curriculum is divided into Levels ranging from Level 1 to Level 8, covering Year 1 to Year 13 (the end of high school). Each Level contains broad Achievement Objectives. 

Teachers gather assessment data formally and informally over time, collate this information, and align it with the ‘best-fit Curriculum Level’. Their decision-making considers how consistently and independently children demonstrate particular skills according to the Curriculum Achievement Objectives, using data on specific learning intentions as well as data from specific assessments. We further divide the Curriculum Levels into subgroups such as ‘Early Level 2’ and ‘Level 2’.

• Early Level 2: A child shows some of the Level 2 objectives and may be working on consistency and independence.
• Level 2: A child is demonstrating most of the Level 2 objectives. They will stay at this level until they have started working within the next level above, such as Early Level 3. 

Progress within each subgroup is not fully represented on the graph but is evident in the children’s workbooks and Learning Journal samples. The dots on the graph do not necessarily move up each year due to the broad nature of the Curriculum Levels, which are designed to be achieved over time.

The Report Graphs

We have redesigned our graph to make it easier for whaanau to interpret. The previous year's data will be included in the new graphs. The data itself has not been altered, though it may appear slightly different in the new graph format.

Understanding the Graph- 

The Powerful Learning Report and Achievement Graphs will be sent home on Friday 21st and Student Led Conferences will be held during Week 9 and 10. There will also be an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher early in term 3 if you have any further wonderings after the Student-led Conference. You will be invited to contact them directly to arrange this, early in Term 3. 

On Tuesday, we were wowed by two outstanding productions from our Year 5 and 6 students and our Year 7 and 8 students. The teachers and students dedicated significant effort to every aspect of the process, from designing the plot and developing characters to writing scripts, making costumes and props, and spending countless hours practising. With each rehearsal, their confidence grew. We are incredibly proud of our tamariki, witnessing their remarkable growth from the beginning to their shining moments on stage, where they all truly enjoyed themselves. So a huge congratulations to all our Year 5-8 students. We love that everyone has a part to play and is involved in the overall process from start to finish, resulting in unique and child-driven productions. 

Ngaa mihi nui,

Nyree Olliver