Term 1 Week 9
Kia ora koutou
We have been eagerly anticipating the results from the Sport Canterbury Primary School Swimming Championships, where 12 Year 5–8 ākonga have yesterday and today represented St Andrew’s College. We are very proud of the commitment and determination that has brought them to this level and look forward to celebrating their achievements once both events have concluded.
It has been wonderful to see so many parents and whānau in and around the school this week for Parent–Teacher Conferences. Our staff have greatly valued these meaningful conversations with families, focused on ākonga engagement, progress, and next steps in learning. Thank you to our teachers for their professionalism and flexibility, particularly for the additional time given on Monday evening, to support these important partnerships.
Yesterday, the College also had the privilege of welcoming the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, a former student of St Andrew’s College from 1981–1982. Our Pipe Band, Pasifika Group, and Kapa Haka students made us incredibly proud through their performances, providing a meaningful welcome for the Prime Minister and visiting delegates. Our Year 7–8 ākonga were also privileged to hear an address about climate change and its significant impact on Tuvalu, prompting thoughtful reflection and learning.
As outlined earlier this term, ākonga reports, discussed at Parent–Teacher Conferences, will be published next week. I would like to briefly revisit what families can expect. The refreshed New Zealand Curriculum is designed for formal reporting at mid-year and end-of-year, which means there are no official Term 1 progress markers. However, to support early communication from the Preparatory School, Term 1 reports include an indication of where ākonga are currently tracking in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, using three broad statements: not yet on track, on track, or on track to exceed curriculum expectations. These judgements have been made carefully and will be updated again in the mid-year reports. All other elements of the Term 1 report remain unchanged.
At future reporting points, families will see more detailed information about progress. This is reflected in the refreshed curriculum using specific progress descriptors such as Emerging, Developing, Consolidating, Proficient, and Exceeding. These descriptors are used at every year level and describe where ākonga sit within the learning progression for that year. It is important to note that, at the beginning of any school year, the majority of students are likely to be working at an Emerging level as they encounter new curriculum content. It is also natural that some ākonga may begin the year below this point, reflected as "not yet on track" or potentially well above this point, reflected as "on track to exceed expectations." As learning progresses across the year, ākonga move through these stages as understanding and confidence develop.
The visual included below shows how these reporting statements sit within the wider learning continuum at each year level, and how Term 1 reporting provides an early snapshot of this.
The refreshed New Zealand Curriculum has been introduced nationally in response to evidence showing declining achievement in literacy and numeracy. Compared with the previous curriculum, which allowed greater flexibility in what was taught and when, the refreshed curriculum sets clearer and more structured year-by-year expectations. This has resulted in higher expectations overall, as essential knowledge and skills are now more clearly defined and taught consistently, using evidence based approaches, to strengthen foundational learning for all ākonga.
Alongside these curriculum changes, our teachers are engaging in considerable professional learning, including trialling new assessment tools and teaching resources, and continuing to deepen knowledge of the refreshed curriculum. This work reflects the expertise and capability of our teaching staff, who have transitioned smoothly while maintaining high quality teaching and learning in classrooms.
We thank you for your continued support and encourage you to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about the upcoming reports.
Ngā mihi nui
Leigh Fowler
Principal of Preparatory School
Deputy Rector
