Assessment and reporting

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.

International Competitions and Assessment for Schools

Sawtell Public School would like to offer students in Years 3-6 the opportunity to participate in the 2018 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS).

The competitions involve students Australia wide, as well as Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, the Pacific Region and South Africa. It allows students to gain a measure of their own achievement in an external testing situation.

Competition dates and costs have been sent with our Newsletter on the 6th March or for your convenience attached is the corresponding file. We encourage students to take the opportunity to participate.

Students receive recognition for their efforts at school assemblies

Congratulations to our participants in the Mathematics Assessment