It has been a privilege to witness the high quality learning opportunities that teachers have been planning, teaching and assessing to ensure growth in individual learning outcomes for all students. I have also been impressed with the way students are engaging with our ‘learning assets’ and with this week focusing on being a ‘Self Manager’.

Tasmanian Government Schools are beginning to implement changes to the way we communicate learning progress with families. These changes will be staggered over a three year period.  You will be updated on your child’s learning progress through a range of communications across the year. In 2022 this will include:

Mid Year reports - Reports for term 2 will look slightly different to previous years, as previously communicated with you through our newsletter. Term 2 reports will not contain written comments, instead students will receive an assessment against the 9pt scale and an assessment for effort and behaviour.  In place of written comments, parents will be provided with an opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with the classroom teacher.  

For more information about the changes to reports:

• School Reports FAQs
• Understanding the 9-point scale
• Visit the Department of Education’s website at: Reporting - The Department of Education Tasmania
• Changes to reporting in 2022 - YouTube

Parent Teacher conversations will be held from Monday 20 – Thursday 23 June. These can be held face to face or over the phone. Our online booking system (SOBS) will allow parents to book a preferred time to come in. Each conversation will be 10mins in length and will focus on evidence of learning that were used in assessing your child’s progress. If you require additional time to speak with your child’s teacher, please contact the teacher through the office, or directly via Seesaw to request additional time. Please contact the office if you require assistance in booking your parent teacher conversation.  

To access SOBS please access this link.

https://sobs.com.au/pt3/parent.php?schoolid=1476

Reports will be available for collection from the office 10mins prior to parent teacher conversations. This will provide time for parents and students to look at the report before speaking to the teacher, who will then provide further information about the change in reporting structure. We encourage all parents to attend to have a conversation about their child’s report and to look at some evidence of learning with the teacher. Three-way conversations between teachers, parents and students in years 3 to 6, are encouraged. Any parents who are unable to attend will receive a phone call and reports will be mailed home on Monday 28 June to the address on our school database. 

Other news:-

Some amazing achievements from our Burnie Primary School team in the NWPSSA Cross Country carnival held last week. In the same spirit, I am looking forward to hearing the BPS Choir perform in preparation for the upcoming Burnie Eisteddfod. Student achievement is wide ranging and varied but we are certainly looking forward to sharing them with you.

Andrew Starick

Principal