Principal's Kōrero...
This year has brought significant changes for Cust, and all New Zealand schools, with the implementation of Te Mātaiaho, the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum. Our teaching and assessment in Mathematics, Reading, and Writing have shifted, and the expected achievement levels are now more challenging.
We have always maintained high expectations at Cust, so these adjustments are not as large for us as they might be elsewhere. However, please remember the following:
To be 'above standard', a child must consistently work a full year above their class level.
Consistency means more than a single test result; we also consider classwork and verbal responses.
Because the goalposts have moved, some capable students may now appear to be 'working at' the expected level, rather than above it. They haven’t slipped back.
In the junior school, reading assessments now follow Structured Literacy. We focus on standardised tests measuring phonological awareness and reading fluency rather than relying on Running Records. These new assessments help pinpoint the skills each child needs, aligning closely with classroom teaching.
Staff have spent many hours aligning these new requirements with our existing programmes and creating a cohesive approach for Cust School. We look forward to sharing your child’s progress at 3-Way Conferences (Parent-Teacher Interviews) in Week 2 next term, where you can see assessment data, work samples, and discuss your child’s Term One Learning and Engagement report (coming via Hero in Week 10). Information about how to book an appointment with your child's teacher will be forthcoming.
As always, feel free to talk with your child’s teacher or ask your child about what they are learning and how they are progressing. Your support at home underpins everything we do here, and we really value that partnership.
You can find more information on how you can supporting your children's learning at home, here…
Have a fantastic weekend!
Miriam
