Home - school partnerships are vital for student success!

This week I would like to draw your attention to our academic mentoring programme and our current focus on achievement conferences. The first set of conferences took place this week and both teachers and students have commented on how helpful the process has been for a whole range of reasons. It is lovely to be able to meet in person again now that Covid levels have changed and tutor teachers are always keen to connect with whānau to discuss what is going on for students in their classes. House tutors are your child's 'significant adult' at school and have overall responsibility for supporting rangatahi in their wellbeing, academic achievement, attendance and general success at school. Opening this channel of communication, so that you as parents and caregivers know who to contact if you have concerns around your child, or want further information on their progress, is an important first step. 

There is lots of educational research which indicates that a strong relationship between student, home and school, is fundamental in supporting students' achievement. Respected educational expert Professor John Hattie’s book, 'Visible Learning, Tomorrow’s Schools' (2009) outlines a list of the most effective influences on student achievement, in which student self-reporting (self-reflection) is listed as the most significant indicator linked to raised student achievement. ​Our achievement conferences focus on encouraging students to reflect on their own learning and progress, to connect their learning to their future pathway and to set, and work towards, meaningful goals. 

We view the achievement conferences as the most important feedback opportunity of the school year and aim to have every student and family participate in this process. If you haven't yet booked an appointment, please go to the school interviews website http://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/q8daf  and book your spot now. If you are unable to attend next Thursday, please contact your child's house tutor directly to arrange an alternative time. 

Thank you for involvement and support with your young person's education. Feedback forms will be emailed home after the conferences and we welcome your suggestions on how we can further improve our academic mentoring processes in the future.  

You may be aware that the national assessment framework (NCEA) is currently undergoing a major review. There are changes designed to improve the teaching of literacy and numeracy throughout all school levels, to focus on the fundamentals of learning and development of skills over specific content knowledge and to uplift the value of mātauranga Māori in the New Zealand curriculum. This refresh is intended to improve outcomes for all learners and to reduce existing inequities in achievement. Teachers need lots of development time to work these changes into the curriculum, including a nationally directed NCEA staff only day on Friday 20 May. This would be an excellent opportunity for tauira to focus on home learning, catching up with any work missed due to absence or following through with goals set during achievement conferences. There will be no classes operating on this day.

I know as you read the rest of the newsletter this week you will be impressed, as always, by the outstanding efforts and achievements of our students. Together we can support our young people to achieve amazing things! Please do feel free to contact us to let us know your thoughts on any aspect of school life at Nayland College. The relationships between home, community and school are foundational for success. 

Ngā mihi,

Hannah Banks

Associate Principal