Assessment

Statement of policy

a)       All senior school assessment policy and practice complies with NZQA requirements and MOE guidelines.

b)       Fair systems ensure that there is internal moderation for all national qualifications.

c)        There are opportunities for re-assessment of elements of unit stan­dards and achievement standards where performance criteria have not been met.

d)       Teachers use a range of assessment methods. These may have for­mative, summative or diagnostic emphases.

e)       Procedures are in place to deal with appeals against assessments and grades. Assessment information is freely available to all students and is written in language that is easily understood.

f)      Heads of department develop assessment guidelines specific to their particular subject areas. Subject teachers follow these and ensure that all tests, assignments and tasks meet the policy criteria outlined above.

Reporting and Assessment

Each year, parents will receive regular reports on progress and academ­ic achievement. The first report is a summary of progress made over the first few weeks of the year. It will identify any concerns that staff may have. At the end of Term 1, parents of junior students will have the opportu­nity to attend report evenings - where they can discuss their son’s progress with individual subject teachers. A similar evening for parents of senior students will occur in Term 2. Of course this does not preclude parents from con­tacting teachers at any time to discuss issues affecting boys’ progress.

 

In terms 2 & 4, teachers will write detailed subject reports. For senior stu­dents, these reports signal anticipated levels of success at the end of the year. Reports should give parents and students accurate and fair summaries of progress and achievement to date. At any time throughout the year, parents may ask for a written report from teachers on their boy’s attitude and progress. Form teachers will arrange for subject teachers to compile these informal, written reports as soon as possible after they are requested.

Reports Schedule 2011

Indicative Reports will be posted in late March. These are not full reports  but rather an opportunity for teachers to point out areas of concern and/or comment on the start that has been made. There will be grades for progress and effort and a brief comment for each subject.

Parent Interviews are held in April, usually in the last week of term.

Mid-year Reports for boys in Years 7-13 will be posted at the end of Term 2. These are academic reports for all subjects taken. There are normally grades for progress, effort, various subject specific criteria, and a written comment. Form teachers will also provide additional comments on overall progress, attitude, and involvement in extra-curricular activi­ties.

End of year Reports are posted in Term 4. Those sitting NZQA qualifi­cations will receive results in late January.

Exact posting dates will be included in the school newsletters during the year.

Parents should feel free to contact their boy’s teachers at any time dur­ing the year and may ask form teachers to collate a “snapshot” report from subject teachers at any time.

Testimonials

Boys are entitled to a testimonial when they leave the school from Years 12 and 13. This will be prepared in consultation with subject and form teachers. It is an important document because it summarises strengths and achievements, provides a record of learning and makes comment on character and attitude.