Student reports

Westgarth Primary School provides comprehensive reports that detail students’ achievements and progress in June and December, along with the next steps for educational development. The report aims to provide consistent and clear information to parents about their child’s achievement against state-wide standards.

It is important to note that student learning is not always linear. Sometimes student learning comes in a burst and they make significant progress in a short time while at other times it plateaus. This is normal and similar to their other development such as growth spurts. You should not be alarmed if your child’s progress presents this way but we do recommend that you talk to your child’s class teacher to make sure that their learning is on track and to find out if there is any particular support that he/she requires.

In 2017, Westgarth launched its new reporting format.

Taking on board feedback from families through a reporting survey and our Education sub-committee, we have designed a simplified report that includes a general comment about a student’s social and emotional development, work habits. Reporting about the curriculum areas (e.g., English, mathematics, science, physical education, etc.) is in checklist form and uses jargon-free language.

Feedback from parents and carers is that our new report format is clear, concise and easily understood, without losing the personalised qualities that characterise our reports.

Students also complete a self-evaluation to accompany the reports.

Parent-teacher interviews

Parent-teacher interviews are held after parents/carers have received in their child's semester 1 report. Bookings for parent-teacher interviews are made online. Parents and carers can also make a time to meet with their child's classroom teacher/s that is in additional to interviews.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2019 for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be held on 14 – 16 May. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. During test week, catch-up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days. These students may undertake catch-up tests on Friday, 17 May.

Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety. At Westgarth we view this testing as an additional piece of information about a student’s learning.  It should not be viewed in isolation and does not provide a thorough or detailed account of your child’s abilities.  Some students find this time stressful as the tests are completed under test conditions which is not something many primary aged students are overly familiar with.  The testing is not high stakes so students need to be reassured that nothing bad will happen if they do not do well.  In a time where children are experiencing high levels of anxiety we need to help them be as relaxed as possible and to view the NAPLAN testing as part of learning rather than fixating on the results.

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. However, students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a Student Withdrawal form. These forms are available at the school.

Later in the year you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report. The report will describe your child’s particular skills in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The report will also show how your child performed in relation to national minimum standards. These describe the minimum acceptable standards for students across Australia. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student achievement.

ACARA does not recommend the use of commercial products, such as booklets and practice tests, to help your child prepare for NAPLAN tests. None of the commercial products currently on the market are endorsed by ACARA. The use of services by coaching providers is not recommended.

For information, please visit: http://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support