Term One is rushing by and it is hard to believe the end of the first term is nearly here.
It has been an action packed term. Some of these highlights have been:
- Meet and Greet Picnic
- Goal Setting Conferences
- Swimming Sports
- Year 1 & 2 -Gym Kids
- Aloha Night
- Year 5/6 Softball –Inner city School Competition
- Visit to Corban’s Art Centre visits and workshops Year 1 & 2
- Surf Life Saving
- Sculpture Art Walk
- Museum Trip next week for Year 3 & 4.
Each year, schools are required to report on the progress and achievement of students against the National Standards for Reading, Writing and Maths.
The Ministry of Education stipulates that children are to be assessed against National Standards at the end of 40 weeks (after 1 year at school), 80 weeks and 120 weeks at school. On reaching Year 4, children start to be assessed on a different cycle, in line with the end of the school year. Teachers use a mix of test results and observations to assess children’s achievement and progress in relation to National Standards.
These overall teacher judgments (OTJs) for Reading, Writing and Mathematics are formed using evidence of children’s work across all learning areas.
Grey Lynn School is proud of it's student achievement records over the years and we would like to recognise all our 2015 students for the effort that each one of them has put into their learning . We all play a valuable role in helping our children achieve the very best that they can as they make their way through school.
Our overall results are summarised below. More detailed data for Year 1-6 is presented in the table attached.
GLS Students achieving At or Above National Standards 2015
Reading 88%
Writing 73%
Mathematics 87%
In our Charter we have identified that the Achievement Challenge for 2016 is in Writing. Parents play a huge part in the learning process and teachers will be looking to families to partner with and plan ways to work together.
In the early years the best thing you can do is to spend time talking with your children - developing oral language skills is the first step to becoming literate.
The next is to read and read and read some more, we cannot emphasise enough how important this is. Reading together should always be a happy and enjoyable time, if you feel that it is not enjoyable - change it up or stop. If a book is becoming too hard/frustrating for your child, then read it to them and talk about the story and pictures. Tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to give it another go. If you have concerns about your child’s progress and achievement, have a chat to their teacher - see what you can do together to make a difference.
I hope the last week of school goes well for you and your family, and that you have a safe and enjoyable holiday break. I look forward to seeing you all next term - Monday 2nd May.
Kind wishes
Toni Jarmin
Acting Principal