Assistant Principal News
SCHOOL REPORTS
Semester One reports will be sent home to parents at the end of the term for students in Years 1-6. Reports are written in line with the requirements of the new NSW K-10 syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum in English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography. Grades are awarded to students following the Common Grade Scale.
It is a requirement of national legislation for Primary schools to provide twice-yearly written reports for students in Years 1-6 to parents. These reports are to be standards-referenced which in NSW means reporting based on the Common Grade Scale. Standards-referenced reporting requires teachers to consider the performance of each student according to the standard detailed at each level (A-E) of the Common Grade Scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA).
Students are then awarded a grade based on the evidence teachers have of their learning in that particular Key Learning Area and the standard it reflects. According to the Common Grade Scale, a ‘C’ grade is considered sound. That is if awarded a C in a particular Key Learning Area the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understanding expected of them at that point in time.
Overall grades
Each Key Learning Area has an overall grade that is determined by the teacher by considering the evidence of each student’s learning and the standard on the Common Grade Scale it reflects. Overall grades are not determined by averaging performance on strands within a KLA. In many cases more time has been dedicated to learning in one strand over others and this contributes significantly to the balanced judgement a teacher is required to make in order to award an overall grade.
It is not unusual for a student’s overall grade to change from one reporting period to the next as the knowledge, skills and understanding they encounter in each Key Learning Area will vary from one reporting period to the next.
The Common Grade Scale is outlined below and is also included on the front of the report.
If you have any concerns, please make an appointment at a mutually convenient time to discuss this with your child's class teacher.
The Common Grade Scale
The Common Grade Scale describes performance at each of the five grade levels.
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A |
The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
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B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations. |
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C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
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D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
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E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |