As we head swiftly towards the end of the year, it’s timely for us to take a moment to reflect on our goals and consider how we’re tracking. As you know, improving students’ writing achievement has been an important priority for everyone at UPS this year. Recently, we were encouraged by the results from the annual NAPLAN tests in Years 3, 5 and 7. In the area of writing, all year levels showed improvement from their result in 2018.
One way of measuring the impact of our work is to examine the number of students who achieve in the top two bands on the NAPLAN assessment scale for their year level. Below you can see the pleasing improvement we have achieved between 2018 and 2019:
- Year 3 2018 44% students in high bands | Year 3 2019: 57% students in high bands
- Year 5 2018 10% students in high bands | Year 5 2019: 25% students in high bands
- Year 7 2018 30% students in high bands | Year 7 2019: 34% students in high bands
Staff at UPS feel strongly that this excellent growth reflects the collective effort of students, staff and families all working together on a common goal. We are determined to sustain this improvement and continue to increase students’ writing achievement. As parents, your involvement in your child’s learning makes for a powerful school-home partnership that further enhances a child’s progress.
The recent Parent Information Session on Developing Great Writers sought to equip parents with knowledge and strategies to help them in this partnership, and it is encouraging to note the positive feedback received after this session:
- 100% of survey respondents found the session to be informative regarding the school’s approach to the teaching of writing.
- 100% felt better equipped to discuss with their child their learning in the area of writing.
- 100% felt more likely to discuss their child’s learning in the area of writing with their teacher(s).
- 100% reported that the session had impacted on the way in which they engaged with their children about their learning.
- 89% had already tried some of the suggestions from the presentation.
- Feedback included that it was a “fantastic and very professional presentation” that “highlighted the thorough planning that goes into teaching our children at the school” and that it was “an excellent session presented with enthusiasm and substantial content”.
While we are thrilled that the session was so well received, we are keen that all UPS families benefit from the guidance given. Even though the end of term is nigh, there is still teaching and learning to be done right up to the final bell! We encourage families to join with us in giving a final push to encourage great writing – see the following resources from the Parent Information session for ideas and inspiration.
Developing Great Writers at UPS
Parents’ guide to helping children with reading and writing at home