School policy supports assessment as an integral part of our teaching and learning cycle. We believe that there are three purposes for assessment:

• To promote student learning.
• To assist in reporting.
• To evaluate the school’s program.

We believe that assessment should be designed to improve students’ learning and that everyone concerned with assessment―students, teachers and parents―must have a clear understanding of the reasons for assessment, the criteria to be used and the method by which assessment is made. By providing children with realistic and purposeful assessment tasks the school aims to make clear the connection between life in school, life at home and life in the world, thereby establishing within children a strong foundation for future learning.

Documentation of children’s work can take many forms; for example, handwritten notes of what is said and done, audio or video recordings, still photographs or samples of children’s work. This documentation is used by teachers, children and parents to reflect on the processes of children’s thinking and the ways in which they make sense of the world. Assessment of children’s knowledge and ways of knowing should provide a profile of their level of understanding of a particular topic or concept. In the Early Childhood Education Program, assessment methods focus on observation and discussion.

Reporting takes the following format across the school:

Parents/guardians concerned about their child’s progress are welcome to contact their child’s teacher/s to arrange an individual meeting. Please make an appointment in advance by contacting the specific teacher/s directly by e-mail or by calling the office.