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.
Learning Conversations at Blairmount
Learning Conversations were introduced in 2016 at Blairmount Public School and have replaced traditional parent teacher interviews. They provide an opportunity for the parent/carer, student and teacher to meet and collaboratively plan learning goals. Students actively engage in the Learning Conversation process by demonstrating literacy and numeracy skills to their parents/carers. Learning Conversations allow parents/carers to see examples of literacy and numeracy activities that can be completed at home to consolidate student learning. Teachers record student goals on a Learning Conversation template, with parents/carers being given a copy to support the goals at home. Learning Conversations are held twice a year, once at the beginning of the year to plan/create goals and then later in the year to review 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.