Term 1:
In week 4 students and their parents are invited to a meeting with the new classroom teacher. This is an informal meeting to discuss the up- coming year and gives all parties a chance to talk about any challenges or concerns either the teacher/ parent or student may have.
Term 2:
Mid year reports - This is a written report on the progress and achievement of students.
Student led conferences - Following Mid Year report the students are involved in Student led conferences.
Below, we have outlined everything we think that you may like to know about the student led conference.
What is a student led conference?A student led conference is a meeting run by the student for his or her parents, entirely focused on the student's recent learning. During the conference the student presents work in different curriculum areas, discussing the process of learning and the progress made to date.
Why have student led conferences?From all the research we have read — developing students' ability to talk about their learning and their progress makes a difference!
The research about student led conferencesProfessor John Hattie (formerly University of Auckland) recently published a revised list of the most effective influences on student achievement which identifies student self-reporting as the most significant indicator linked to raised student achievement.
Two other international researchers, Black & Wiliam, further comment, "the process of students reflecting on their learning, through effective questioning that promotes the articulation of student thinking, is integral to classroom assessment practices that enhance student learning".
‘If the focus is to be kept on learning, and the ownership of the learning with the child, then the best person to talk about the learning is the learner’... ‘Not only is the student the best person to tell their parents what they have learnt, but if we believe that students build their knowledge by communicating what they know, then providing an opportunity for the students to tell their family what they know can significantly assist with that learning.' Absolum, (2006)
Research also shows parental involvement in schools and classrooms has a positive impact on children’s learning (Bastiani; Epstein).
How do student led conferences work?
Conferences can last up to 20 minutes. You do not have to stay this long if your child has finished sharing his/her learning. Between three and five student led conferences will be held at the same time in your child’s classroom depending on the age of the child. You can 'flow' into a conference slightly earlier or later if the teacher indicates there is space when you arrive. Each child will have a basic agenda that they will follow.You will be involved in a variety of activities during the time — looking at samples of learning, doing an activity to support learning, talking about goals and what your child, you and the teacher might do to support these goals, looking at work around the classroom.
At some point during your conference, your child's teacher will spend some time with you. This time will allow the teacher to expand on the information your child has shared or for you to clarify something if necessary.
Please be mindful that distractions make it difficult for your child and others in the room to stay focused. We ask that parents turn off cellphones and that preschoolers not attend.
What will I need to do to support my child?Before the conference:
Prompts to support your child
As part of their regular learning, all students have been putting considerable time and energy into preparing for this. If you cannot attend, please arrange for another significant adult in your child’s life to come to the conference.
The conference is about learning—not behaviour or social issues. (If you or the teacher have concerns, discussions should already have been held).
Make arrangements for the care of any pre-schoolers in your family. It would be unfair to all students in the room to have any distractions as they share their learning. Supervision is available for school age children.
We hope that you enjoy the student led conference. We receive a lot of positive feedback following student led conferences. This can be done online or by booking at the office. Please note that for student led conferences there will be up to 4 students and their parents in the room at any one time. The teacher will spend time with each student and their parents, but the conference will solely be led by the student with your support.
Term 4:
End of year reports - This is a written report on the progress and achievement of students at the completion of the school year.
Throughout the year, teachers will request an interview with parents if they have any concerns.
Likewise, parents are always encouraged to make an appointment with the classroom teacher if they feel they would like to discuss any matters related to their child and their academic, social, physical or spiritual development.
In week 4 students and their parents are invited to a meeting with the new classroom teacher. This is an informal meeting to discuss the up- coming year and gives all parties a chance to talk about any challenges or concerns either the teacher/ parent or student may have.
Term 2:
Mid year reports - This is a written report on the progress and achievement of students.
Student led conferences - Following Mid Year report the students are involved in Student led conferences.
Below, we have outlined everything we think that you may like to know about the student led conference.
What is a student led conference?A student led conference is a meeting run by the student for his or her parents, entirely focused on the student's recent learning. During the conference the student presents work in different curriculum areas, discussing the process of learning and the progress made to date.
Why have student led conferences?From all the research we have read — developing students' ability to talk about their learning and their progress makes a difference!
The research about student led conferencesProfessor John Hattie (formerly University of Auckland) recently published a revised list of the most effective influences on student achievement which identifies student self-reporting as the most significant indicator linked to raised student achievement.
Two other international researchers, Black & Wiliam, further comment, "the process of students reflecting on their learning, through effective questioning that promotes the articulation of student thinking, is integral to classroom assessment practices that enhance student learning".
‘If the focus is to be kept on learning, and the ownership of the learning with the child, then the best person to talk about the learning is the learner’... ‘Not only is the student the best person to tell their parents what they have learnt, but if we believe that students build their knowledge by communicating what they know, then providing an opportunity for the students to tell their family what they know can significantly assist with that learning.' Absolum, (2006)
Research also shows parental involvement in schools and classrooms has a positive impact on children’s learning (Bastiani; Epstein).
How do student led conferences work?
Conferences can last up to 20 minutes. You do not have to stay this long if your child has finished sharing his/her learning. Between three and five student led conferences will be held at the same time in your child’s classroom depending on the age of the child. You can 'flow' into a conference slightly earlier or later if the teacher indicates there is space when you arrive. Each child will have a basic agenda that they will follow.You will be involved in a variety of activities during the time — looking at samples of learning, doing an activity to support learning, talking about goals and what your child, you and the teacher might do to support these goals, looking at work around the classroom.
At some point during your conference, your child's teacher will spend some time with you. This time will allow the teacher to expand on the information your child has shared or for you to clarify something if necessary.
Please be mindful that distractions make it difficult for your child and others in the room to stay focused. We ask that parents turn off cellphones and that preschoolers not attend.
What will I need to do to support my child?Before the conference:
- Each child will run only one conference so all parties need to attend this.
- Book a time and put it in your diary (details notified in this school newsletter).
- Check the prompts and important things to remember list (below).
- Come — with your child.
- Listen — your child will do most of the talking.
- S/he will discuss with you the expected achievement levels, his/her progress towards these levels and current learning goals.
- Prompt to support your child if necessary (prompt cards will be provided in the classroom).
- Enjoy the opportunity to see your child in his/her key learning environment.
- Celebrate your child's progress to date.
- Continue to celebrate your child's successes and support their goals.
Prompts to support your child
- What were you learning to do in this piece of work?
- What were the steps you went through to learn this
- What helped you to learn this?
- What do you need to learn next?
- What are you most proud of? Why?
- Tell me where you are in … reading/writing/numeracy
- Which area of learning do you find easiest? Why?
- Which area of learning do you find trickiest? Why?
- What could we do together to help you with this learning?
As part of their regular learning, all students have been putting considerable time and energy into preparing for this. If you cannot attend, please arrange for another significant adult in your child’s life to come to the conference.
The conference is about learning—not behaviour or social issues. (If you or the teacher have concerns, discussions should already have been held).
Make arrangements for the care of any pre-schoolers in your family. It would be unfair to all students in the room to have any distractions as they share their learning. Supervision is available for school age children.
- Listen — your child will do most of the talking
- S/he will discuss with you the expected achievement levels, his/her progress towards these levels and current learning goals.
- Prompt to support your child if necessary (prompt cards will be provided in the classroom).
- Enjoy the opportunity to see your child in his/her key learning environment.
- Celebrate your child's progress to date.
- Continue to celebrate your child's successes and support their goals.
We hope that you enjoy the student led conference. We receive a lot of positive feedback following student led conferences. This can be done online or by booking at the office. Please note that for student led conferences there will be up to 4 students and their parents in the room at any one time. The teacher will spend time with each student and their parents, but the conference will solely be led by the student with your support.
Term 4:
End of year reports - This is a written report on the progress and achievement of students at the completion of the school year.
Throughout the year, teachers will request an interview with parents if they have any concerns.
Likewise, parents are always encouraged to make an appointment with the classroom teacher if they feel they would like to discuss any matters related to their child and their academic, social, physical or spiritual development.