Principal’s Message

Dear Parents

Here we are, back after the Easter break…. I hope everyone had the opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends. We have two weeks until the end of the Term. Last day Friday 13 March.

With interviews in full swing, I found this article that might help us think about Assessment. (Please read below)

Wishing you all the best over the April holidays, if I don’t get the chance to see you in the playground.

Sincerely

Trish Fisher, Principal

How to Help Parents Understand Assessment / March 19, 2018 / Author Laura Greenstein

As teachers and schools increasingly engage parents in testing, measuring, and most importantly assessment, here are suggestions to keep in mind when communicating together about children’s progress:

1. Tests and Assessments Are Not the Same

A test examines a student’s knowledge, comprehension, and skills to determine what level of learning has been reached. It generally results in a numerical or letter grade.

Assessment involves gathering, analysing, and responding to a student’s strengths and misconceptions about their learning. It includes feedback to the learner and also informs the teacher’s practice and responses. An analogy would be your BMI that provides a number but not a health analysis or fitness plan. Sometimes we need a test and sometimes learning requires assessment.

2. A Standardised Test, Like a Snapshot, Shows a Moment in Time

There’s nothing wrong with getting an annual family portrait to provide a benchmark of changes. But in the classroom, assessments that use a variety of strategies offer a kaleidoscope of a child’s educational skills and abilities. Beyond the final score, parents need to know their student’s strengths and way to overcome challenges. Sometimes it’s okay to weigh yourself twice a year, but in order to monitor success and setbacks, you’ll need to check progress more frequently.

3. Encourage and Acknowledge Progress

Children can become discouraged when they don’t get the score or rating they expected. So can adults, athletes, and accountants. With assessment, it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. (In fact at South Coogee PS, we encourage them! Mistakes are OK) We need parents and students to understand that the goal of assessment is improvement and progress, it’s the small steps that lead towards the big picture goals. Assessment is not about the learning gaps, but rather steps students can take to get across them. “I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.” Marie Curie.

4. Let’s Work Together and Stay Connected

All of our lives have ups and downs. For you, if your child is going through a rough patch, keep the teacher informed of their changing mindset, unusual setbacks, and setups that can support improvement. Talk with them and their teacher about assignments, assessments, and progress. Find out what you can do at home to support their learning.

5. Grades Don’t Mean Everything

Test scores and report cards do not represent the whole child. You know him or her; the one with a wonderful sense of humour, who comforts and encourages friends, and helps others solve problems. The child who works consistently and diligently may be more successful in life than another who studies 12 hours a day and gets high test scores.

Class of The Week – 2M

2M’s Reflection on Term 1

Harmony Day in 2M

Sports News

PSSA Round 5

Softball

Juniors:

South Coogee Vs Pagewood Public School, 15-14 win. Player of the match: Sadie K

Seniors:

South Coogee Vs Pagewood Public School, 5-4 loss. Player of the match: Rose S

Cricket

Juniors:
South Coogee Vs Gardeners Road Public School, FORFEIT (GR) SCPS 2 points.

Seniors:
South Coogee Vs Gardeners Road Public School, 42-36 win. Player of the match: Jules B

AFL

Juniors:
South Coogee Vs Gardeners Road, 58-1 win. Player of the match: Kyson

Seniors:
bye

Canberra Excursion

Last week our learners undertook an educational tour of the national capital. They were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding of $20 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards the cost of the excursion. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. The rebate was deducted by the school in advance on the final costing for the excursion.

Term 1 Merit Awards