How is my child doing?

How do I know my daughter or son is making good progress at the right level?

• Inthewrittenschoolreport,theteacherswilltell youhowyourteenagerisdoinginallthesubjectsbeingtaken.

• Teacherswillbeabletotellyouifyourdaughterorsonisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteachersaredoingaboutthis,andwillsuggestwaysyourteenagercanhelphimorherself.

• Askaboutyourdaughterorson’sprogresstowardsmeetingNCEAlevels1,2and3duringeachyear,andhowmanycreditsshe/heshouldbegaining.

• AsktheteacherwhygainingNCEAlevelsisimportant.

• ForYears9and10,askearlyabouttherightcoursesorunitsyourteenagerneedstotaketoachievemeaningfulqualifications,ortohelpher/himachievefuturecareergoals.

Who should I speak to if I am worried about my teenager’s progress?

• Becausesecondarystudentshaveseveralteachers,youwillfirstneedtotalktotheformteacherordean.Askyourdaughterorsonwhothatis.

• Youcanfindoutfromtheschoolhowtomakeanappointment.

• Iftherearespecificsubjectsconcerningyou,askwhichotherteachersyoushouldtalkto.

Where can I find more information about careers and school subjects?

• Asktheteacherorcareersadvisorforinformation,orgototheCareersNewZealandwebsite:www.careers.govt.nz.

How does the teacher know my child is learning to the best of her/his ability?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifthereareanyparticularareasofconcern.Youshouldalsoalerttheteachertoanyconcernsaboutthechildathome.

Does my child get on well with other children?

• Askwhattheschooldoestomakesureallchildrenareincludedinactivitiesinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.

How do I know my child is safe and not being bullied?

• Ifyoubelieveyourchildisbeingbulliedyouneedtotalktotheteacheraboutit.

• Askabouttheschool’spoliciesandhowitmanagesbullying.

How can I help if my child has a problem?

• Aparentshouldalwaysgotothechild’steacherfirstaboutaproblem.

• Ifyourchildtellsyouaboutworryingincidentsthathappenatschool,dotalktotheteacher,evenifyouthinkitmaynotbeveryimportant.

Questionstoaskatschool

How do I know my child is making good progress at the right level? What does a good report look like?

• Inthewrittencommentsonaportfolioorschoolreport,theteacherwilltellyouhowyourchildisdoinginrelationtotheNationalStandardsinreading,writingandmathematics.

• Youcanasktheteachertoexplainwhatthereportmeans.

• Youcanalsoaskhowyourchildisdoinginotherareasofthecurriculumlikescience,socialstudies,health,technology,physicaleducationandthearts.Allprimaryschoolsarerequiredtoteachthese,andtheyshouldallfeatureinschoolreportstoparents.

Is my child struggling with anything? If so, with what in particular?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifyourchildisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteacherisdoingaboutthis,andifthereisanythingyoucandotohelp.Youshouldalsofindouthowmuchworkisneededforyourchildtocatchup.

• YourchildmaybegivenanIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),oryoucanaskforone.IEPsaredesignedtousetheschool’sprogrammetosuittheneedsofyourchild.TheIEPwillhavesomelearninggoals,andwillsetoutwhatisneededtosupportyourchildinachievingthegoals.Becauseyouknowyourchildbest,youwillhaveanimportantcontributiontomaketotheIEP.

• FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,andenter‘IEPguidelines’inthesearchbox.

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

primaryschoolHowwEllISMYCHIldlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

secondaryschoolHowwEllISMYTEENAgErlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

allschoolsISMYCHIldSAFEANdHAPPYATSCHool?

What does it mean if the teacher simply says my child is ‘on track’ to meet the National Standards?

• TheNationalStandardsarenotatest.Thestandardsdescribewhatyourchildshouldknowandbeabletodoinreading,writingandmathematicsforeachprimaryschoolyear.Parentsneedtoknowwheretheirchildisinrelationtothestandardsandiftheprogresstheyaremakingisasexpected.Theteachershouldbeabletoexplainindetailhowwellyourchildisdoing.Thegoalisforeverychildtomeetthestandardsforreading,writingandmathematicsatthelevelappropriatetotheirageorschoolyearlevel.

• Youcanasktheteacherwhat‘ontrack’means,andhowajudgementismadeaboutwhereyourchildisinrelationtomeetingthestandards.

• AsktheteacherwhyitisimportantforyourchildtomeettheNationalStandards.

• ForinformationaboutNationalStandardsvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz>>TheMinistry>>Educationinitiatives>>NationalStandards.

What sort of information does the teacher or school have that can show me how well my child is doing?

• Youcanasktoseerecordsofyourchild’slearning:theportfoliosandworksamples,aswellasresultsofstandardisedtests(suchasaSTTle,PAT,STArandNumPA).Youcanaskhowtheteacherassessesthese,andwhatcriteriateachersuse.

• Foranexplanationofassessmenttermsseethe2008Eroreportat:www.ero.govt.nz>>Nationalreports>>AssessmentinPrimarySchools:AguideforParents.

What will my child learn next?

• Theteacherwillexplainwhattheclassisgoingtodo,whatshe/heisdoingwithyourchild,andwhatshe/hewillexpectyourchildtoworkon.

• Asktheteacherhowyourchildwillbetoldwhattoconcentrateonnext.

Should I know what all the education words and jargon mean?

• Iftheteacheroryourteenagerusesexpressionsthatyoudon’tunderstand,justaskwhattheymean.Youcannotbeexpectedtoknowallthedifferentnamesforcourses,programmesandprojectsinasecondaryschool.

• Youcanlookupmostthingsonline,butyourteenager’steacherswillalsobehappytoexplainthemeaningandhowparticularaspectsofthesevariousthingswillaffectyourdaughterorson’seducation.Itisfarbettertoaskatthetime,thanwishlaterthatyouhadunderstoodmore.

How do I help my teenager choose the right subjects?

• whenastudentchoosessubjectsforfutureyearsitisimportanttokeepoptionsopen.Forexample,itisnotagoodideatodropgeneralscience,whenchemistryorbiologymaybeanessentialsubjectforacoursetheywouldliketodolater.Itisreallyusefulforyoutohaveagooddiscussionwiththeteacher,deanorformteacher,andyourteenagerbeforefinaldecisionsaremade.

• Secondaryschoolsoftenhavecareersadviserswhocantalktoyouandyourteenageraboutpossiblecareersandthesubjectsneededtoprepareforthese.Asktotalktotheteacherorcareersadviseralongwithyourdaughterorson.

• Years9and10areimportant–theygiveagroundinginbasicsubjects,andhelpastudentprepareforchoosingNCEAsubjects.AsktheteacherhowyourteenagerwillchooseNCEAsubjects.Askhowthechoiceatthisstagewillaffectanyfuturecareerchoices.Theteachercantellyouwhatinformationhasbeengiventoyourdaughterorson.

If I have a concern, how do I raise it with my child’s teacher or the school?

• Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutyourchildortheschool,oracomplaint,youwillwanttoknowhowitwillbedealtwith.gototheteacherinthefirstinstance,ortheprincipalifthatismoreappropriate.

• Youmayliketowritedownthecircumstancessoyouknowwhattosaywhenyoutalktotheteacherorprincipal,oreventheboardoftrustees.Thinkaboutwhatyouwouldliketohappen,soyoucantelltheteacherortheschoolwhatyouexpect.

• Checktheschool’swebsiteorasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesonmakingacomplaint.

What standards of behaviour should I expect my child to experience at school?

• Standardsofbehaviourwillbesetoutintheschoolpolicies,andwilloftenbecommunicatedinaparentbookletorprospectus,orontheschool’swebsite.

• Therewillbeexpectationsforthewholeschooland,insomecases,atclasslevelandthesearelikelytobedisplayedprominentlyintheschool.

• Asktheteacherifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutuniform,clothingorhowyourchildshouldexpecttobetreatedbyotherstudentsandtheschoolstaff.

koteTamaititePu- takeotekaupapaTheChild–theHeartoftheMatter

How should I expect the school to treat my child?

• Parentsofchildrenwithspecialeducationneeds,specialabilities,orwhoarepartofagroupwhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglishmaywanttoasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesandproceduresforworkingwiththesestudents.

• whileallchildrenmustbegivenequalopportunitiestolearn,somechildrenwillbenefitfromspecificattentiontotheirparticularneeds,abilitiesandtalents.goodschoolstreatdiversityintheirstudentpopulationasabonus.Youcanaskaboutthisinyourchild’sschool.

• Ifyourchildhasspecialeducationneeds,youwillwantasmuchinformationasyoucangetabouthowtheschoolwillsupportyourchild.regulationsandrequirementsaresetoutontheMinistryofEducation’swebsite,andtheschoolwillhaveaSpecialEducationalNeedsCoordinator(SENCo)whowillworkwithyoutomakesureyourchildisgiventheattentionshe/heneeds.FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducation’swebsite:www.minedu.govt.nzandenter‘specialneeds’inthesearchbox.

How do I find out about the school’s safety procedures?

• Askwhathappensattheschoolwhenanearthquakeoranotherpotentialdisasteroccursduringschooltime.

• Askaboutwhatparentsandfamilymembersneedtoknowtohelptheirchildinthissituation.

Contacts

EduCATIoNrEvIEwoFFICEFor individual school reports and national reports on education issues

Nationaloffice,PoBox2799,wellington6140Email:info@ero.govt.nzPhone:04-4992489

MINISTrYoFEduCATIoNFor information about National Standards and NCEA, go to the Ministry website and type in National Standards or NCEA in the search box

www.minedu.govt.nzNationaloffice,PoBox1666,wellington6140Phone:04-4638000

CArEErSNEwZEAlANdFor information about planning a career

www.careersnz.govt.nzPhone:0800222733

NEwZEAlANdSCHool TruSTEES’ASSoCIATIoNFor information about boards of trustees

www.nzsta.org.nzPoBox5123,wellington6145Phone:04-4734955

NEwZEAlANdQuAlIFICATIoNSAuTHorITYFor information about how NCEA works

www.nzqa.govt.nzPoBox160,wellington6140Phone:0800697296

YouTHguArANTEEFor information about possible vocational pathways (careers)

www.youthguarantee.net.nz

www.ero.govt.nz

Hg:04.1310000

Erousesthisdiagramwhenitreviewsschools.Itshowshowallaspectsofaschoolrelatetoeachotherandhaveanimpactonchildren’slearning.Parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigaareavitalpieceofthepicture,andteacherswelcometheircontribution.

Thegoalofeveryschoolisforeachchildtomakegoodprogressandachievewellinaschoolthatiswell-run,whereteachersarevalued,andwhereparents,familiesandthewidercommunityarepartofthepartnershipthatsupportstheirchildren.

Yourchildrenwillspendalotoftimeatschool.whiletheyareatschool,

theteachers,theprincipal,andtheboardoftrusteeshaveresponsibilityfor

theireducationandwellbeing.Creatingapartnershipbetweenparentsand

theschoolisveryimportant.Together,youandtheschoolworktoeducate

yourchildren,helpingthemtodevelopintoyoungadultswhoareconfident,

successfulandhappy.Reporting to parentsSchoolsarerequiredtoreporttoparentsofprimaryschoolchildrenatleasttwiceayear.reportsshouldbeinplainlanguageandshouldexplainhowyourchildisprogressinginallsubjects(inadditiontotheformalNationalStandardsinformation).

Aswellaswrittenreportsfromtheschool,thereareotherwaysinwhichschoolsreportachild’sprogresstofamily,wha-nauandaiga,suchasviaaparentportalonawebsiteorbyemail.

Atprimaryschool,childrenmayhaveaportfolio,eitherinhardcopyordigitalform,thatshowswhattheyhavebeenlearningandtheprogresstheyhavemade,withwrittencommentsbytheteacher.Someschoolsinviteparentstoassemblieswherespecialachievementsbystudentsarerecognisedandcelebrated.

Mostschoolssetupinterviewsafterwrittenreportshavebeensenthome,totalktoparentsandcaregiversaboutsettinggoalsforthechild’snextsteps.

discussionswiththeteacher,childandparent/caregiverarealsocommon,andgiveanopportunityforchildrentosummarisetheirlearningandprogress.

School policiesEveryschoolisrequiredtohavepoliciesthatensuretheschoolismanagedwell,andthatchildrenarebeinggivenahighqualityeducation.

YoucanreadtheNationalAdministrationguidelinesforSchoolsontheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,byentering‘NationalAdministrationguidelines’inthesearchbox.

The principalTheprincipalmanagestheday-to-dayrunning oftheschoolandtheprofessionaldevelopmentofteachers.Ifyouwanttoseetheprincipal,calltheschoolofficeadministrator/secretaryforanappointment.

The board of trusteesTheschool’sboardoftrusteesisresponsiblefortheoverallgovernanceoftheschool.Theboardincludesparents,theprincipal,astaffmemberandinsomecases,astudentrepresentative.Theboardemploystheprincipal,approvesthegoalsandtargetsintheschool’scharter,andsetsthepoliciesandbudgetfortheoperationoftheschool.

Youcanaskaboutthegoalsandtargetsthathavebeensetandseehowwellyourschoolisdoinginmeetingthesewhentheannualreportispresentedtotheschoolcommunity.Youcanexpectthattheschoolwillsetgoalsandtargetstoimprovethelearninglevelsofallchildrenatyourschool.

Parentscanattendboardmeetingsasobservers.Askatyourschoolforthemeetingdates.Ifyouwanttoraiseamatteratameeting,talktotheboardchairpersonfirst.

Anyparentcanstandforelectiontotheboardandelectionsareheldeverythreeyears.FormoreinformationvisittheNewZealandSchoolTrustees’Associationwebsite:www.nzsta.org.nz.

Asking questions at schoolParentsandcaregiverswanttoknowhowwelltheirchildrenaredoingatschool,andiftheyaresafeandhappy.Teachersshouldwelcomethechancetotalktoaparentaboutachild’sprogress,sodon’tfeelawkwardaboutaskingtoseeateacherortheprincipal.Thisbookletoutlinesquestionsyoumayliketoaskatyourchild’sschool,andinformationyouwillfinduseful.

Why ask questions?Howdoyouknowifyourchildismakinggoodprogress?Howdoyouknowwhattoexpectofyourchild?Schoolsregularlysendwrittenreportshome,andsetupparent-teachermeetingsandinterviewsforparentstodiscusstheschoolreports,portfoliosandlearningrecords.Youcanusetheseopportunitiestofindoutmoreaboutwhatyourchildisdoing,howwelltheyaredoinginrelationtotheNationalStandards(inprimaryschools),andhowyoucanhelp.

IfyouhaveachildatsecondaryschoolyouwillwanttofindoutaboutsubjectchoicesandabouttheNationalCertificateofEducationalAchievement(NCEA).

How do I go about asking questions at school?Checkwiththeteacherwhenwouldbeagoodtimetotalk.Althoughteachersarebusypeople,yourinterestinyourchildwillbeimportanttothem.Youmaywanttotalktothemattimesoutsidetheusualparent-teachermeetings.Youcouldphonetheschoolorsendanotewithyourchild.or,ifyou’reattheschool,justmentionthatyou’dliketomakeatimetotalk.Theteachermaysetupadiscussionwithyouandyourchild.Theteachermayalsobehappytohaveaconversationwithyouviaemail.Ifso,askforanemailaddress.

Where does ERO fit in?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)reviewsallschoolsinNewZealand,andpublishesitsreportsonthewebsite:www.ero.govt.nz.Youwillwanttoaskspecificquestionsaboutyourchild–theEroreportwilltellyouhowwelltheboardoftrusteesandtheprincipalaremanagingtheschoolandtheoveralleducationofthestudents.Thisreportisausefulbasisforquestionsyoumighthaveaboutaspectsoftheschool,suchashowwellchildrenarelearningattheschool,howtheschoolengageswithitscommunity,theschool’spoliciesondiscipline,complaintsprocedures,schooltrips,andsoon.

BACkgrouNdINForMATIoN

forparentsTheSixdimensionsofaSuccessfulSchool

keypoints

Theschoolcommunicateswellwithfamiliesandvalues

theirinput.Parents,caregivers, wha-nauandaigatakeaninterestinhowtheirchildis

doingatschool.

Theprincipalmanagestheschoolstaffwell,plans

teachers’relevantprofessionaldevelopmentand,togetherwiththeboard,setstargets,educationaldirectionandhighexpectations.

Theboardoftrusteessetstargets,policiesandbudgets,workswellwiththeprincipal,andreportsregularlyto

parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Schoolstaffandstudentsarerespectfulandwork

together.Yourchildishappyandsettled.differentgroupsofchildrenintheschoolareacceptedandvalued.

Teachersareconfidentinteachingthecurriculum,manageclassroomswell,and

reporttoparents/caregiversthroughindividualportfolios,writtenreportsandparent

interviews.Somewillholddiscussionswithboththeparent/caregiverandthechild.

whoisthisbookletfor?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)haswrittenthisbookletforeveryonewhoparentsachild–thosewhohavecareandresponsibilityforchildrenattendingaschool.Theword‘parent’isusedinthisbooktoincludeparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Askingquestionsatschoolisonewayyoucanfindouthowyourchildisdoing,andalsogivestheteacherachancetotalktoyouabouthowyoucanbeinvolved.

Theroleofschoolsistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.Thebestwaytoachievethisisforfamiliesandschoolstoworktogether,andforparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigatoknowtheyarewelcomeatschool.Ifyoufeelshy,awkwardornotconfident,youcanvisityourchild’sschooltogetherasafamily,wha-nauoraiga,ortakeafriendalong.

STUDENTLEARNING

- engagement, progress &

achievement

TEACHING

SCHOOL CULTURE

GOvERNING

ENGAGING FAMILIES

• Parentsandfamily,wha-nauoraiga,areavitalpartofeverychild’sschooleducation.Togetherwiththeschooltheycancreateapartnershipthatnurtureslearningandsuccess.

• visittheschooltotalktotheteacheraboutyourchild.Ifyouarenotcomfortableaboutgoingonyourown,takeafriendorfamilymember.

• Theroleoftheschoolistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.

• Ifyoudon’tunderstandsomethingthatyoufeelisimportant,doaskaboutit.Talktoyourchild’steacher,orlookatsomeoftheinformationthatisreadilyavailableonwebsites,orinprintedinformationfromtheMinistryofEducationortheEducationreviewoffice.

LEADING & MANAGING

Erousesthisdiagramwhenitreviewsschools.Itshowshowallaspectsofaschoolrelatetoeachotherandhaveanimpactonchildren’slearning.Parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigaareavitalpieceofthepicture,andteacherswelcometheircontribution.

Thegoalofeveryschoolisforeachchildtomakegoodprogressandachievewellinaschoolthatiswell-run,whereteachersarevalued,andwhereparents,familiesandthewidercommunityarepartofthepartnershipthatsupportstheirchildren.

Yourchildrenwillspendalotoftimeatschool.whiletheyareatschool,

theteachers,theprincipal,andtheboardoftrusteeshaveresponsibilityfor

theireducationandwellbeing.Creatingapartnershipbetweenparentsand

theschoolisveryimportant.Together,youandtheschoolworktoeducate

yourchildren,helpingthemtodevelopintoyoungadultswhoareconfident,

successfulandhappy.Reporting to parentsSchoolsarerequiredtoreporttoparentsofprimaryschoolchildrenatleasttwiceayear.reportsshouldbeinplainlanguageandshouldexplainhowyourchildisprogressinginallsubjects(inadditiontotheformalNationalStandardsinformation).

Aswellaswrittenreportsfromtheschool,thereareotherwaysinwhichschoolsreportachild’sprogresstofamily,wha-nauandaiga,suchasviaaparentportalonawebsiteorbyemail.

Atprimaryschool,childrenmayhaveaportfolio,eitherinhardcopyordigitalform,thatshowswhattheyhavebeenlearningandtheprogresstheyhavemade,withwrittencommentsbytheteacher.Someschoolsinviteparentstoassemblieswherespecialachievementsbystudentsarerecognisedandcelebrated.

Mostschoolssetupinterviewsafterwrittenreportshavebeensenthome,totalktoparentsandcaregiversaboutsettinggoalsforthechild’snextsteps.

discussionswiththeteacher,childandparent/caregiverarealsocommon,andgiveanopportunityforchildrentosummarisetheirlearningandprogress.

School policiesEveryschoolisrequiredtohavepoliciesthatensuretheschoolismanagedwell,andthatchildrenarebeinggivenahighqualityeducation.

YoucanreadtheNationalAdministrationguidelinesforSchoolsontheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,byentering‘NationalAdministrationguidelines’inthesearchbox.

The principalTheprincipalmanagestheday-to-dayrunning oftheschoolandtheprofessionaldevelopmentofteachers.Ifyouwanttoseetheprincipal,calltheschoolofficeadministrator/secretaryforanappointment.

The board of trusteesTheschool’sboardoftrusteesisresponsiblefortheoverallgovernanceoftheschool.Theboardincludesparents,theprincipal,astaffmemberandinsomecases,astudentrepresentative.Theboardemploystheprincipal,approvesthegoalsandtargetsintheschool’scharter,andsetsthepoliciesandbudgetfortheoperationoftheschool.

Youcanaskaboutthegoalsandtargetsthathavebeensetandseehowwellyourschoolisdoinginmeetingthesewhentheannualreportispresentedtotheschoolcommunity.Youcanexpectthattheschoolwillsetgoalsandtargetstoimprovethelearninglevelsofallchildrenatyourschool.

Parentscanattendboardmeetingsasobservers.Askatyourschoolforthemeetingdates.Ifyouwanttoraiseamatteratameeting,talktotheboardchairpersonfirst.

Anyparentcanstandforelectiontotheboardandelectionsareheldeverythreeyears.FormoreinformationvisittheNewZealandSchoolTrustees’Associationwebsite:www.nzsta.org.nz.

Asking questions at schoolParentsandcaregiverswanttoknowhowwelltheirchildrenaredoingatschool,andiftheyaresafeandhappy.Teachersshouldwelcomethechancetotalktoaparentaboutachild’sprogress,sodon’tfeelawkwardaboutaskingtoseeateacherortheprincipal.Thisbookletoutlinesquestionsyoumayliketoaskatyourchild’sschool,andinformationyouwillfinduseful.

Why ask questions?Howdoyouknowifyourchildismakinggoodprogress?Howdoyouknowwhattoexpectofyourchild?Schoolsregularlysendwrittenreportshome,andsetupparent-teachermeetingsandinterviewsforparentstodiscusstheschoolreports,portfoliosandlearningrecords.Youcanusetheseopportunitiestofindoutmoreaboutwhatyourchildisdoing,howwelltheyaredoinginrelationtotheNationalStandards(inprimaryschools),andhowyoucanhelp.

IfyouhaveachildatsecondaryschoolyouwillwanttofindoutaboutsubjectchoicesandabouttheNationalCertificateofEducationalAchievement(NCEA).

How do I go about asking questions at school?Checkwiththeteacherwhenwouldbeagoodtimetotalk.Althoughteachersarebusypeople,yourinterestinyourchildwillbeimportanttothem.Youmaywanttotalktothemattimesoutsidetheusualparent-teachermeetings.Youcouldphonetheschoolorsendanotewithyourchild.or,ifyou’reattheschool,justmentionthatyou’dliketomakeatimetotalk.Theteachermaysetupadiscussionwithyouandyourchild.Theteachermayalsobehappytohaveaconversationwithyouviaemail.Ifso,askforanemailaddress.

Where does ERO fit in?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)reviewsallschoolsinNewZealand,andpublishesitsreportsonthewebsite:www.ero.govt.nz.Youwillwanttoaskspecificquestionsaboutyourchild–theEroreportwilltellyouhowwelltheboardoftrusteesandtheprincipalaremanagingtheschoolandtheoveralleducationofthestudents.Thisreportisausefulbasisforquestionsyoumighthaveaboutaspectsoftheschool,suchashowwellchildrenarelearningattheschool,howtheschoolengageswithitscommunity,theschool’spoliciesondiscipline,complaintsprocedures,schooltrips,andsoon.

BACkgrouNdINForMATIoN

forparentsTheSixdimensionsofaSuccessfulSchool

keypoints

Theschoolcommunicateswellwithfamiliesandvalues

theirinput.Parents,caregivers, wha-nauandaigatakeaninterestinhowtheirchildis

doingatschool.

Theprincipalmanagestheschoolstaffwell,plans

teachers’relevantprofessionaldevelopmentand,togetherwiththeboard,setstargets,educationaldirectionandhighexpectations.

Theboardoftrusteessetstargets,policiesandbudgets,workswellwiththeprincipal,andreportsregularlyto

parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Schoolstaffandstudentsarerespectfulandwork

together.Yourchildishappyandsettled.differentgroupsofchildrenintheschoolareacceptedandvalued.

Teachersareconfidentinteachingthecurriculum,manageclassroomswell,and

reporttoparents/caregiversthroughindividualportfolios,writtenreportsandparent

interviews.Somewillholddiscussionswithboththeparent/caregiverandthechild.

whoisthisbookletfor?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)haswrittenthisbookletforeveryonewhoparentsachild–thosewhohavecareandresponsibilityforchildrenattendingaschool.Theword‘parent’isusedinthisbooktoincludeparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Askingquestionsatschoolisonewayyoucanfindouthowyourchildisdoing,andalsogivestheteacherachancetotalktoyouabouthowyoucanbeinvolved.

Theroleofschoolsistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.Thebestwaytoachievethisisforfamiliesandschoolstoworktogether,andforparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigatoknowtheyarewelcomeatschool.Ifyoufeelshy,awkwardornotconfident,youcanvisityourchild’sschooltogetherasafamily,wha-nauoraiga,ortakeafriendalong.

STUDENTLEARNING

- engagement, progress &

achievement

TEACHING

SCHOOL CULTURE

GOvERNING

ENGAGING FAMILIES

• Parentsandfamily,wha-nauoraiga,areavitalpartofeverychild’sschooleducation.Togetherwiththeschooltheycancreateapartnershipthatnurtureslearningandsuccess.

• visittheschooltotalktotheteacheraboutyourchild.Ifyouarenotcomfortableaboutgoingonyourown,takeafriendorfamilymember.

• Theroleoftheschoolistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.

• Ifyoudon’tunderstandsomethingthatyoufeelisimportant,doaskaboutit.Talktoyourchild’steacher,orlookatsomeoftheinformationthatisreadilyavailableonwebsites,orinprintedinformationfromtheMinistryofEducationortheEducationreviewoffice.

LEADING & MANAGING

Erousesthisdiagramwhenitreviewsschools.Itshowshowallaspectsofaschoolrelatetoeachotherandhaveanimpactonchildren’slearning.Parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigaareavitalpieceofthepicture,andteacherswelcometheircontribution.

Thegoalofeveryschoolisforeachchildtomakegoodprogressandachievewellinaschoolthatiswell-run,whereteachersarevalued,andwhereparents,familiesandthewidercommunityarepartofthepartnershipthatsupportstheirchildren.

Yourchildrenwillspendalotoftimeatschool.whiletheyareatschool,

theteachers,theprincipal,andtheboardoftrusteeshaveresponsibilityfor

theireducationandwellbeing.Creatingapartnershipbetweenparentsand

theschoolisveryimportant.Together,youandtheschoolworktoeducate

yourchildren,helpingthemtodevelopintoyoungadultswhoareconfident,

successfulandhappy.Reporting to parentsSchoolsarerequiredtoreporttoparentsofprimaryschoolchildrenatleasttwiceayear.reportsshouldbeinplainlanguageandshouldexplainhowyourchildisprogressinginallsubjects(inadditiontotheformalNationalStandardsinformation).

Aswellaswrittenreportsfromtheschool,thereareotherwaysinwhichschoolsreportachild’sprogresstofamily,wha-nauandaiga,suchasviaaparentportalonawebsiteorbyemail.

Atprimaryschool,childrenmayhaveaportfolio,eitherinhardcopyordigitalform,thatshowswhattheyhavebeenlearningandtheprogresstheyhavemade,withwrittencommentsbytheteacher.Someschoolsinviteparentstoassemblieswherespecialachievementsbystudentsarerecognisedandcelebrated.

Mostschoolssetupinterviewsafterwrittenreportshavebeensenthome,totalktoparentsandcaregiversaboutsettinggoalsforthechild’snextsteps.

discussionswiththeteacher,childandparent/caregiverarealsocommon,andgiveanopportunityforchildrentosummarisetheirlearningandprogress.

School policiesEveryschoolisrequiredtohavepoliciesthatensuretheschoolismanagedwell,andthatchildrenarebeinggivenahighqualityeducation.

YoucanreadtheNationalAdministrationguidelinesforSchoolsontheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,byentering‘NationalAdministrationguidelines’inthesearchbox.

The principalTheprincipalmanagestheday-to-dayrunning oftheschoolandtheprofessionaldevelopmentofteachers.Ifyouwanttoseetheprincipal,calltheschoolofficeadministrator/secretaryforanappointment.

The board of trusteesTheschool’sboardoftrusteesisresponsiblefortheoverallgovernanceoftheschool.Theboardincludesparents,theprincipal,astaffmemberandinsomecases,astudentrepresentative.Theboardemploystheprincipal,approvesthegoalsandtargetsintheschool’scharter,andsetsthepoliciesandbudgetfortheoperationoftheschool.

Youcanaskaboutthegoalsandtargetsthathavebeensetandseehowwellyourschoolisdoinginmeetingthesewhentheannualreportispresentedtotheschoolcommunity.Youcanexpectthattheschoolwillsetgoalsandtargetstoimprovethelearninglevelsofallchildrenatyourschool.

Parentscanattendboardmeetingsasobservers.Askatyourschoolforthemeetingdates.Ifyouwanttoraiseamatteratameeting,talktotheboardchairpersonfirst.

Anyparentcanstandforelectiontotheboardandelectionsareheldeverythreeyears.FormoreinformationvisittheNewZealandSchoolTrustees’Associationwebsite:www.nzsta.org.nz.

Asking questions at schoolParentsandcaregiverswanttoknowhowwelltheirchildrenaredoingatschool,andiftheyaresafeandhappy.Teachersshouldwelcomethechancetotalktoaparentaboutachild’sprogress,sodon’tfeelawkwardaboutaskingtoseeateacherortheprincipal.Thisbookletoutlinesquestionsyoumayliketoaskatyourchild’sschool,andinformationyouwillfinduseful.

Why ask questions?Howdoyouknowifyourchildismakinggoodprogress?Howdoyouknowwhattoexpectofyourchild?Schoolsregularlysendwrittenreportshome,andsetupparent-teachermeetingsandinterviewsforparentstodiscusstheschoolreports,portfoliosandlearningrecords.Youcanusetheseopportunitiestofindoutmoreaboutwhatyourchildisdoing,howwelltheyaredoinginrelationtotheNationalStandards(inprimaryschools),andhowyoucanhelp.

IfyouhaveachildatsecondaryschoolyouwillwanttofindoutaboutsubjectchoicesandabouttheNationalCertificateofEducationalAchievement(NCEA).

How do I go about asking questions at school?Checkwiththeteacherwhenwouldbeagoodtimetotalk.Althoughteachersarebusypeople,yourinterestinyourchildwillbeimportanttothem.Youmaywanttotalktothemattimesoutsidetheusualparent-teachermeetings.Youcouldphonetheschoolorsendanotewithyourchild.or,ifyou’reattheschool,justmentionthatyou’dliketomakeatimetotalk.Theteachermaysetupadiscussionwithyouandyourchild.Theteachermayalsobehappytohaveaconversationwithyouviaemail.Ifso,askforanemailaddress.

Where does ERO fit in?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)reviewsallschoolsinNewZealand,andpublishesitsreportsonthewebsite:www.ero.govt.nz.Youwillwanttoaskspecificquestionsaboutyourchild–theEroreportwilltellyouhowwelltheboardoftrusteesandtheprincipalaremanagingtheschoolandtheoveralleducationofthestudents.Thisreportisausefulbasisforquestionsyoumighthaveaboutaspectsoftheschool,suchashowwellchildrenarelearningattheschool,howtheschoolengageswithitscommunity,theschool’spoliciesondiscipline,complaintsprocedures,schooltrips,andsoon.

BACkgrouNdINForMATIoN

forparentsTheSixdimensionsofaSuccessfulSchool

keypoints

Theschoolcommunicateswellwithfamiliesandvalues

theirinput.Parents,caregivers, wha-nauandaigatakeaninterestinhowtheirchildis

doingatschool.

Theprincipalmanagestheschoolstaffwell,plans

teachers’relevantprofessionaldevelopmentand,togetherwiththeboard,setstargets,educationaldirectionandhighexpectations.

Theboardoftrusteessetstargets,policiesandbudgets,workswellwiththeprincipal,andreportsregularlyto

parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Schoolstaffandstudentsarerespectfulandwork

together.Yourchildishappyandsettled.differentgroupsofchildrenintheschoolareacceptedandvalued.

Teachersareconfidentinteachingthecurriculum,manageclassroomswell,and

reporttoparents/caregiversthroughindividualportfolios,writtenreportsandparent

interviews.Somewillholddiscussionswithboththeparent/caregiverandthechild.

whoisthisbookletfor?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)haswrittenthisbookletforeveryonewhoparentsachild–thosewhohavecareandresponsibilityforchildrenattendingaschool.Theword‘parent’isusedinthisbooktoincludeparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Askingquestionsatschoolisonewayyoucanfindouthowyourchildisdoing,andalsogivestheteacherachancetotalktoyouabouthowyoucanbeinvolved.

Theroleofschoolsistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.Thebestwaytoachievethisisforfamiliesandschoolstoworktogether,andforparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigatoknowtheyarewelcomeatschool.Ifyoufeelshy,awkwardornotconfident,youcanvisityourchild’sschooltogetherasafamily,wha-nauoraiga,ortakeafriendalong.

STUDENTLEARNING

- engagement, progress &

achievement

TEACHING

SCHOOL CULTURE

GOvERNING

ENGAGING FAMILIES

• Parentsandfamily,wha-nauoraiga,areavitalpartofeverychild’sschooleducation.Togetherwiththeschooltheycancreateapartnershipthatnurtureslearningandsuccess.

• visittheschooltotalktotheteacheraboutyourchild.Ifyouarenotcomfortableaboutgoingonyourown,takeafriendorfamilymember.

• Theroleoftheschoolistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.

• Ifyoudon’tunderstandsomethingthatyoufeelisimportant,doaskaboutit.Talktoyourchild’steacher,orlookatsomeoftheinformationthatisreadilyavailableonwebsites,orinprintedinformationfromtheMinistryofEducationortheEducationreviewoffice.

LEADING & MANAGING

Erousesthisdiagramwhenitreviewsschools.Itshowshowallaspectsofaschoolrelatetoeachotherandhaveanimpactonchildren’slearning.Parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigaareavitalpieceofthepicture,andteacherswelcometheircontribution.

Thegoalofeveryschoolisforeachchildtomakegoodprogressandachievewellinaschoolthatiswell-run,whereteachersarevalued,andwhereparents,familiesandthewidercommunityarepartofthepartnershipthatsupportstheirchildren.

Yourchildrenwillspendalotoftimeatschool.whiletheyareatschool,

theteachers,theprincipal,andtheboardoftrusteeshaveresponsibilityfor

theireducationandwellbeing.Creatingapartnershipbetweenparentsand

theschoolisveryimportant.Together,youandtheschoolworktoeducate

yourchildren,helpingthemtodevelopintoyoungadultswhoareconfident,

successfulandhappy.Reporting to parentsSchoolsarerequiredtoreporttoparentsofprimaryschoolchildrenatleasttwiceayear.reportsshouldbeinplainlanguageandshouldexplainhowyourchildisprogressinginallsubjects(inadditiontotheformalNationalStandardsinformation).

Aswellaswrittenreportsfromtheschool,thereareotherwaysinwhichschoolsreportachild’sprogresstofamily,wha-nauandaiga,suchasviaaparentportalonawebsiteorbyemail.

Atprimaryschool,childrenmayhaveaportfolio,eitherinhardcopyordigitalform,thatshowswhattheyhavebeenlearningandtheprogresstheyhavemade,withwrittencommentsbytheteacher.Someschoolsinviteparentstoassemblieswherespecialachievementsbystudentsarerecognisedandcelebrated.

Mostschoolssetupinterviewsafterwrittenreportshavebeensenthome,totalktoparentsandcaregiversaboutsettinggoalsforthechild’snextsteps.

discussionswiththeteacher,childandparent/caregiverarealsocommon,andgiveanopportunityforchildrentosummarisetheirlearningandprogress.

School policiesEveryschoolisrequiredtohavepoliciesthatensuretheschoolismanagedwell,andthatchildrenarebeinggivenahighqualityeducation.

YoucanreadtheNationalAdministrationguidelinesforSchoolsontheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,byentering‘NationalAdministrationguidelines’inthesearchbox.

The principalTheprincipalmanagestheday-to-dayrunning oftheschoolandtheprofessionaldevelopmentofteachers.Ifyouwanttoseetheprincipal,calltheschoolofficeadministrator/secretaryforanappointment.

The board of trusteesTheschool’sboardoftrusteesisresponsiblefortheoverallgovernanceoftheschool.Theboardincludesparents,theprincipal,astaffmemberandinsomecases,astudentrepresentative.Theboardemploystheprincipal,approvesthegoalsandtargetsintheschool’scharter,andsetsthepoliciesandbudgetfortheoperationoftheschool.

Youcanaskaboutthegoalsandtargetsthathavebeensetandseehowwellyourschoolisdoinginmeetingthesewhentheannualreportispresentedtotheschoolcommunity.Youcanexpectthattheschoolwillsetgoalsandtargetstoimprovethelearninglevelsofallchildrenatyourschool.

Parentscanattendboardmeetingsasobservers.Askatyourschoolforthemeetingdates.Ifyouwanttoraiseamatteratameeting,talktotheboardchairpersonfirst.

Anyparentcanstandforelectiontotheboardandelectionsareheldeverythreeyears.FormoreinformationvisittheNewZealandSchoolTrustees’Associationwebsite:www.nzsta.org.nz.

Asking questions at schoolParentsandcaregiverswanttoknowhowwelltheirchildrenaredoingatschool,andiftheyaresafeandhappy.Teachersshouldwelcomethechancetotalktoaparentaboutachild’sprogress,sodon’tfeelawkwardaboutaskingtoseeateacherortheprincipal.Thisbookletoutlinesquestionsyoumayliketoaskatyourchild’sschool,andinformationyouwillfinduseful.

Why ask questions?Howdoyouknowifyourchildismakinggoodprogress?Howdoyouknowwhattoexpectofyourchild?Schoolsregularlysendwrittenreportshome,andsetupparent-teachermeetingsandinterviewsforparentstodiscusstheschoolreports,portfoliosandlearningrecords.Youcanusetheseopportunitiestofindoutmoreaboutwhatyourchildisdoing,howwelltheyaredoinginrelationtotheNationalStandards(inprimaryschools),andhowyoucanhelp.

IfyouhaveachildatsecondaryschoolyouwillwanttofindoutaboutsubjectchoicesandabouttheNationalCertificateofEducationalAchievement(NCEA).

How do I go about asking questions at school?Checkwiththeteacherwhenwouldbeagoodtimetotalk.Althoughteachersarebusypeople,yourinterestinyourchildwillbeimportanttothem.Youmaywanttotalktothemattimesoutsidetheusualparent-teachermeetings.Youcouldphonetheschoolorsendanotewithyourchild.or,ifyou’reattheschool,justmentionthatyou’dliketomakeatimetotalk.Theteachermaysetupadiscussionwithyouandyourchild.Theteachermayalsobehappytohaveaconversationwithyouviaemail.Ifso,askforanemailaddress.

Where does ERO fit in?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)reviewsallschoolsinNewZealand,andpublishesitsreportsonthewebsite:www.ero.govt.nz.Youwillwanttoaskspecificquestionsaboutyourchild–theEroreportwilltellyouhowwelltheboardoftrusteesandtheprincipalaremanagingtheschoolandtheoveralleducationofthestudents.Thisreportisausefulbasisforquestionsyoumighthaveaboutaspectsoftheschool,suchashowwellchildrenarelearningattheschool,howtheschoolengageswithitscommunity,theschool’spoliciesondiscipline,complaintsprocedures,schooltrips,andsoon.

BACkgrouNdINForMATIoN

forparentsTheSixdimensionsofaSuccessfulSchool

keypoints

Theschoolcommunicateswellwithfamiliesandvalues

theirinput.Parents,caregivers, wha-nauandaigatakeaninterestinhowtheirchildis

doingatschool.

Theprincipalmanagestheschoolstaffwell,plans

teachers’relevantprofessionaldevelopmentand,togetherwiththeboard,setstargets,educationaldirectionandhighexpectations.

Theboardoftrusteessetstargets,policiesandbudgets,workswellwiththeprincipal,andreportsregularlyto

parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Schoolstaffandstudentsarerespectfulandwork

together.Yourchildishappyandsettled.differentgroupsofchildrenintheschoolareacceptedandvalued.

Teachersareconfidentinteachingthecurriculum,manageclassroomswell,and

reporttoparents/caregiversthroughindividualportfolios,writtenreportsandparent

interviews.Somewillholddiscussionswithboththeparent/caregiverandthechild.

whoisthisbookletfor?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)haswrittenthisbookletforeveryonewhoparentsachild–thosewhohavecareandresponsibilityforchildrenattendingaschool.Theword‘parent’isusedinthisbooktoincludeparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Askingquestionsatschoolisonewayyoucanfindouthowyourchildisdoing,andalsogivestheteacherachancetotalktoyouabouthowyoucanbeinvolved.

Theroleofschoolsistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.Thebestwaytoachievethisisforfamiliesandschoolstoworktogether,andforparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigatoknowtheyarewelcomeatschool.Ifyoufeelshy,awkwardornotconfident,youcanvisityourchild’sschooltogetherasafamily,wha-nauoraiga,ortakeafriendalong.

STUDENTLEARNING

- engagement, progress &

achievement

TEACHING

SCHOOL CULTURE

GOvERNING

ENGAGING FAMILIES

• Parentsandfamily,wha-nauoraiga,areavitalpartofeverychild’sschooleducation.Togetherwiththeschooltheycancreateapartnershipthatnurtureslearningandsuccess.

• visittheschooltotalktotheteacheraboutyourchild.Ifyouarenotcomfortableaboutgoingonyourown,takeafriendorfamilymember.

• Theroleoftheschoolistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.

• Ifyoudon’tunderstandsomethingthatyoufeelisimportant,doaskaboutit.Talktoyourchild’steacher,orlookatsomeoftheinformationthatisreadilyavailableonwebsites,orinprintedinformationfromtheMinistryofEducationortheEducationreviewoffice.

LEADING & MANAGING

Erousesthisdiagramwhenitreviewsschools.Itshowshowallaspectsofaschoolrelatetoeachotherandhaveanimpactonchildren’slearning.Parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigaareavitalpieceofthepicture,andteacherswelcometheircontribution.

Thegoalofeveryschoolisforeachchildtomakegoodprogressandachievewellinaschoolthatiswell-run,whereteachersarevalued,andwhereparents,familiesandthewidercommunityarepartofthepartnershipthatsupportstheirchildren.

Yourchildrenwillspendalotoftimeatschool.whiletheyareatschool,

theteachers,theprincipal,andtheboardoftrusteeshaveresponsibilityfor

theireducationandwellbeing.Creatingapartnershipbetweenparentsand

theschoolisveryimportant.Together,youandtheschoolworktoeducate

yourchildren,helpingthemtodevelopintoyoungadultswhoareconfident,

successfulandhappy.Reporting to parentsSchoolsarerequiredtoreporttoparentsofprimaryschoolchildrenatleasttwiceayear.reportsshouldbeinplainlanguageandshouldexplainhowyourchildisprogressinginallsubjects(inadditiontotheformalNationalStandardsinformation).

Aswellaswrittenreportsfromtheschool,thereareotherwaysinwhichschoolsreportachild’sprogresstofamily,wha-nauandaiga,suchasviaaparentportalonawebsiteorbyemail.

Atprimaryschool,childrenmayhaveaportfolio,eitherinhardcopyordigitalform,thatshowswhattheyhavebeenlearningandtheprogresstheyhavemade,withwrittencommentsbytheteacher.Someschoolsinviteparentstoassemblieswherespecialachievementsbystudentsarerecognisedandcelebrated.

Mostschoolssetupinterviewsafterwrittenreportshavebeensenthome,totalktoparentsandcaregiversaboutsettinggoalsforthechild’snextsteps.

discussionswiththeteacher,childandparent/caregiverarealsocommon,andgiveanopportunityforchildrentosummarisetheirlearningandprogress.

School policiesEveryschoolisrequiredtohavepoliciesthatensuretheschoolismanagedwell,andthatchildrenarebeinggivenahighqualityeducation.

YoucanreadtheNationalAdministrationguidelinesforSchoolsontheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,byentering‘NationalAdministrationguidelines’inthesearchbox.

The principalTheprincipalmanagestheday-to-dayrunning oftheschoolandtheprofessionaldevelopmentofteachers.Ifyouwanttoseetheprincipal,calltheschoolofficeadministrator/secretaryforanappointment.

The board of trusteesTheschool’sboardoftrusteesisresponsiblefortheoverallgovernanceoftheschool.Theboardincludesparents,theprincipal,astaffmemberandinsomecases,astudentrepresentative.Theboardemploystheprincipal,approvesthegoalsandtargetsintheschool’scharter,andsetsthepoliciesandbudgetfortheoperationoftheschool.

Youcanaskaboutthegoalsandtargetsthathavebeensetandseehowwellyourschoolisdoinginmeetingthesewhentheannualreportispresentedtotheschoolcommunity.Youcanexpectthattheschoolwillsetgoalsandtargetstoimprovethelearninglevelsofallchildrenatyourschool.

Parentscanattendboardmeetingsasobservers.Askatyourschoolforthemeetingdates.Ifyouwanttoraiseamatteratameeting,talktotheboardchairpersonfirst.

Anyparentcanstandforelectiontotheboardandelectionsareheldeverythreeyears.FormoreinformationvisittheNewZealandSchoolTrustees’Associationwebsite:www.nzsta.org.nz.

Asking questions at schoolParentsandcaregiverswanttoknowhowwelltheirchildrenaredoingatschool,andiftheyaresafeandhappy.Teachersshouldwelcomethechancetotalktoaparentaboutachild’sprogress,sodon’tfeelawkwardaboutaskingtoseeateacherortheprincipal.Thisbookletoutlinesquestionsyoumayliketoaskatyourchild’sschool,andinformationyouwillfinduseful.

Why ask questions?Howdoyouknowifyourchildismakinggoodprogress?Howdoyouknowwhattoexpectofyourchild?Schoolsregularlysendwrittenreportshome,andsetupparent-teachermeetingsandinterviewsforparentstodiscusstheschoolreports,portfoliosandlearningrecords.Youcanusetheseopportunitiestofindoutmoreaboutwhatyourchildisdoing,howwelltheyaredoinginrelationtotheNationalStandards(inprimaryschools),andhowyoucanhelp.

IfyouhaveachildatsecondaryschoolyouwillwanttofindoutaboutsubjectchoicesandabouttheNationalCertificateofEducationalAchievement(NCEA).

How do I go about asking questions at school?Checkwiththeteacherwhenwouldbeagoodtimetotalk.Althoughteachersarebusypeople,yourinterestinyourchildwillbeimportanttothem.Youmaywanttotalktothemattimesoutsidetheusualparent-teachermeetings.Youcouldphonetheschoolorsendanotewithyourchild.or,ifyou’reattheschool,justmentionthatyou’dliketomakeatimetotalk.Theteachermaysetupadiscussionwithyouandyourchild.Theteachermayalsobehappytohaveaconversationwithyouviaemail.Ifso,askforanemailaddress.

Where does ERO fit in?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)reviewsallschoolsinNewZealand,andpublishesitsreportsonthewebsite:www.ero.govt.nz.Youwillwanttoaskspecificquestionsaboutyourchild–theEroreportwilltellyouhowwelltheboardoftrusteesandtheprincipalaremanagingtheschoolandtheoveralleducationofthestudents.Thisreportisausefulbasisforquestionsyoumighthaveaboutaspectsoftheschool,suchashowwellchildrenarelearningattheschool,howtheschoolengageswithitscommunity,theschool’spoliciesondiscipline,complaintsprocedures,schooltrips,andsoon.

BACkgrouNdINForMATIoN

forparentsTheSixdimensionsofaSuccessfulSchool

keypoints

Theschoolcommunicateswellwithfamiliesandvalues

theirinput.Parents,caregivers, wha-nauandaigatakeaninterestinhowtheirchildis

doingatschool.

Theprincipalmanagestheschoolstaffwell,plans

teachers’relevantprofessionaldevelopmentand,togetherwiththeboard,setstargets,educationaldirectionandhighexpectations.

Theboardoftrusteessetstargets,policiesandbudgets,workswellwiththeprincipal,andreportsregularlyto

parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Schoolstaffandstudentsarerespectfulandwork

together.Yourchildishappyandsettled.differentgroupsofchildrenintheschoolareacceptedandvalued.

Teachersareconfidentinteachingthecurriculum,manageclassroomswell,and

reporttoparents/caregiversthroughindividualportfolios,writtenreportsandparent

interviews.Somewillholddiscussionswithboththeparent/caregiverandthechild.

whoisthisbookletfor?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)haswrittenthisbookletforeveryonewhoparentsachild–thosewhohavecareandresponsibilityforchildrenattendingaschool.Theword‘parent’isusedinthisbooktoincludeparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Askingquestionsatschoolisonewayyoucanfindouthowyourchildisdoing,andalsogivestheteacherachancetotalktoyouabouthowyoucanbeinvolved.

Theroleofschoolsistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.Thebestwaytoachievethisisforfamiliesandschoolstoworktogether,andforparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigatoknowtheyarewelcomeatschool.Ifyoufeelshy,awkwardornotconfident,youcanvisityourchild’sschooltogetherasafamily,wha-nauoraiga,ortakeafriendalong.

STUDENTLEARNING

- engagement, progress &

achievement

TEACHING

SCHOOL CULTURE

GOvERNING

ENGAGING FAMILIES

• Parentsandfamily,wha-nauoraiga,areavitalpartofeverychild’sschooleducation.Togetherwiththeschooltheycancreateapartnershipthatnurtureslearningandsuccess.

• visittheschooltotalktotheteacheraboutyourchild.Ifyouarenotcomfortableaboutgoingonyourown,takeafriendorfamilymember.

• Theroleoftheschoolistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.

• Ifyoudon’tunderstandsomethingthatyoufeelisimportant,doaskaboutit.Talktoyourchild’steacher,orlookatsomeoftheinformationthatisreadilyavailableonwebsites,orinprintedinformationfromtheMinistryofEducationortheEducationreviewoffice.

LEADING & MANAGING

Erousesthisdiagramwhenitreviewsschools.Itshowshowallaspectsofaschoolrelatetoeachotherandhaveanimpactonchildren’slearning.Parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigaareavitalpieceofthepicture,andteacherswelcometheircontribution.

Thegoalofeveryschoolisforeachchildtomakegoodprogressandachievewellinaschoolthatiswell-run,whereteachersarevalued,andwhereparents,familiesandthewidercommunityarepartofthepartnershipthatsupportstheirchildren.

Yourchildrenwillspendalotoftimeatschool.whiletheyareatschool,

theteachers,theprincipal,andtheboardoftrusteeshaveresponsibilityfor

theireducationandwellbeing.Creatingapartnershipbetweenparentsand

theschoolisveryimportant.Together,youandtheschoolworktoeducate

yourchildren,helpingthemtodevelopintoyoungadultswhoareconfident,

successfulandhappy.Reporting to parentsSchoolsarerequiredtoreporttoparentsofprimaryschoolchildrenatleasttwiceayear.reportsshouldbeinplainlanguageandshouldexplainhowyourchildisprogressinginallsubjects(inadditiontotheformalNationalStandardsinformation).

Aswellaswrittenreportsfromtheschool,thereareotherwaysinwhichschoolsreportachild’sprogresstofamily,wha-nauandaiga,suchasviaaparentportalonawebsiteorbyemail.

Atprimaryschool,childrenmayhaveaportfolio,eitherinhardcopyordigitalform,thatshowswhattheyhavebeenlearningandtheprogresstheyhavemade,withwrittencommentsbytheteacher.Someschoolsinviteparentstoassemblieswherespecialachievementsbystudentsarerecognisedandcelebrated.

Mostschoolssetupinterviewsafterwrittenreportshavebeensenthome,totalktoparentsandcaregiversaboutsettinggoalsforthechild’snextsteps.

discussionswiththeteacher,childandparent/caregiverarealsocommon,andgiveanopportunityforchildrentosummarisetheirlearningandprogress.

School policiesEveryschoolisrequiredtohavepoliciesthatensuretheschoolismanagedwell,andthatchildrenarebeinggivenahighqualityeducation.

YoucanreadtheNationalAdministrationguidelinesforSchoolsontheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,byentering‘NationalAdministrationguidelines’inthesearchbox.

The principalTheprincipalmanagestheday-to-dayrunning oftheschoolandtheprofessionaldevelopmentofteachers.Ifyouwanttoseetheprincipal,calltheschoolofficeadministrator/secretaryforanappointment.

The board of trusteesTheschool’sboardoftrusteesisresponsiblefortheoverallgovernanceoftheschool.Theboardincludesparents,theprincipal,astaffmemberandinsomecases,astudentrepresentative.Theboardemploystheprincipal,approvesthegoalsandtargetsintheschool’scharter,andsetsthepoliciesandbudgetfortheoperationoftheschool.

Youcanaskaboutthegoalsandtargetsthathavebeensetandseehowwellyourschoolisdoinginmeetingthesewhentheannualreportispresentedtotheschoolcommunity.Youcanexpectthattheschoolwillsetgoalsandtargetstoimprovethelearninglevelsofallchildrenatyourschool.

Parentscanattendboardmeetingsasobservers.Askatyourschoolforthemeetingdates.Ifyouwanttoraiseamatteratameeting,talktotheboardchairpersonfirst.

Anyparentcanstandforelectiontotheboardandelectionsareheldeverythreeyears.FormoreinformationvisittheNewZealandSchoolTrustees’Associationwebsite:www.nzsta.org.nz.

Asking questions at schoolParentsandcaregiverswanttoknowhowwelltheirchildrenaredoingatschool,andiftheyaresafeandhappy.Teachersshouldwelcomethechancetotalktoaparentaboutachild’sprogress,sodon’tfeelawkwardaboutaskingtoseeateacherortheprincipal.Thisbookletoutlinesquestionsyoumayliketoaskatyourchild’sschool,andinformationyouwillfinduseful.

Why ask questions?Howdoyouknowifyourchildismakinggoodprogress?Howdoyouknowwhattoexpectofyourchild?Schoolsregularlysendwrittenreportshome,andsetupparent-teachermeetingsandinterviewsforparentstodiscusstheschoolreports,portfoliosandlearningrecords.Youcanusetheseopportunitiestofindoutmoreaboutwhatyourchildisdoing,howwelltheyaredoinginrelationtotheNationalStandards(inprimaryschools),andhowyoucanhelp.

IfyouhaveachildatsecondaryschoolyouwillwanttofindoutaboutsubjectchoicesandabouttheNationalCertificateofEducationalAchievement(NCEA).

How do I go about asking questions at school?Checkwiththeteacherwhenwouldbeagoodtimetotalk.Althoughteachersarebusypeople,yourinterestinyourchildwillbeimportanttothem.Youmaywanttotalktothemattimesoutsidetheusualparent-teachermeetings.Youcouldphonetheschoolorsendanotewithyourchild.or,ifyou’reattheschool,justmentionthatyou’dliketomakeatimetotalk.Theteachermaysetupadiscussionwithyouandyourchild.Theteachermayalsobehappytohaveaconversationwithyouviaemail.Ifso,askforanemailaddress.

Where does ERO fit in?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)reviewsallschoolsinNewZealand,andpublishesitsreportsonthewebsite:www.ero.govt.nz.Youwillwanttoaskspecificquestionsaboutyourchild–theEroreportwilltellyouhowwelltheboardoftrusteesandtheprincipalaremanagingtheschoolandtheoveralleducationofthestudents.Thisreportisausefulbasisforquestionsyoumighthaveaboutaspectsoftheschool,suchashowwellchildrenarelearningattheschool,howtheschoolengageswithitscommunity,theschool’spoliciesondiscipline,complaintsprocedures,schooltrips,andsoon.

BACkgrouNdINForMATIoN

forparentsTheSixdimensionsofaSuccessfulSchool

keypoints

Theschoolcommunicateswellwithfamiliesandvalues

theirinput.Parents,caregivers, wha-nauandaigatakeaninterestinhowtheirchildis

doingatschool.

Theprincipalmanagestheschoolstaffwell,plans

teachers’relevantprofessionaldevelopmentand,togetherwiththeboard,setstargets,educationaldirectionandhighexpectations.

Theboardoftrusteessetstargets,policiesandbudgets,workswellwiththeprincipal,andreportsregularlyto

parents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Schoolstaffandstudentsarerespectfulandwork

together.Yourchildishappyandsettled.differentgroupsofchildrenintheschoolareacceptedandvalued.

Teachersareconfidentinteachingthecurriculum,manageclassroomswell,and

reporttoparents/caregiversthroughindividualportfolios,writtenreportsandparent

interviews.Somewillholddiscussionswithboththeparent/caregiverandthechild.

whoisthisbookletfor?TheEducationreviewoffice(Ero)haswrittenthisbookletforeveryonewhoparentsachild–thosewhohavecareandresponsibilityforchildrenattendingaschool.Theword‘parent’isusedinthisbooktoincludeparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaiga.

Askingquestionsatschoolisonewayyoucanfindouthowyourchildisdoing,andalsogivestheteacherachancetotalktoyouabouthowyoucanbeinvolved.

Theroleofschoolsistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.Thebestwaytoachievethisisforfamiliesandschoolstoworktogether,andforparents,caregivers,wha-nauandaigatoknowtheyarewelcomeatschool.Ifyoufeelshy,awkwardornotconfident,youcanvisityourchild’sschooltogetherasafamily,wha-nauoraiga,ortakeafriendalong.

STUDENTLEARNING

- engagement, progress &

achievement

TEACHING

SCHOOL CULTURE

GOvERNING

ENGAGING FAMILIES

• Parentsandfamily,wha-nauoraiga,areavitalpartofeverychild’sschooleducation.Togetherwiththeschooltheycancreateapartnershipthatnurtureslearningandsuccess.

• visittheschooltotalktotheteacheraboutyourchild.Ifyouarenotcomfortableaboutgoingonyourown,takeafriendorfamilymember.

• Theroleoftheschoolistogiveyourchildthebestpossibleopportunitytolearnandtobesuccessful.

• Ifyoudon’tunderstandsomethingthatyoufeelisimportant,doaskaboutit.Talktoyourchild’steacher,orlookatsomeoftheinformationthatisreadilyavailableonwebsites,orinprintedinformationfromtheMinistryofEducationortheEducationreviewoffice.

LEADING & MANAGING

How is my child doing?

How do I know my daughter or son is making good progress at the right level?

• Inthewrittenschoolreport,theteacherswilltell youhowyourteenagerisdoinginallthesubjectsbeingtaken.

• Teacherswillbeabletotellyouifyourdaughterorsonisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteachersaredoingaboutthis,andwillsuggestwaysyourteenagercanhelphimorherself.

• Askaboutyourdaughterorson’sprogresstowardsmeetingNCEAlevels1,2and3duringeachyear,andhowmanycreditsshe/heshouldbegaining.

• AsktheteacherwhygainingNCEAlevelsisimportant.

• ForYears9and10,askearlyabouttherightcoursesorunitsyourteenagerneedstotaketoachievemeaningfulqualifications,ortohelpher/himachievefuturecareergoals.

Who should I speak to if I am worried about my teenager’s progress?

• Becausesecondarystudentshaveseveralteachers,youwillfirstneedtotalktotheformteacherordean.Askyourdaughterorsonwhothatis.

• Youcanfindoutfromtheschoolhowtomakeanappointment.

• Iftherearespecificsubjectsconcerningyou,askwhichotherteachersyoushouldtalkto.

Where can I find more information about careers and school subjects?

• Asktheteacherorcareersadvisorforinformation,orgototheCareersNewZealandwebsite:www.careers.govt.nz.

How does the teacher know my child is learning to the best of her/his ability?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifthereareanyparticularareasofconcern.Youshouldalsoalerttheteachertoanyconcernsaboutthechildathome.

Does my child get on well with other children?

• Askwhattheschooldoestomakesureallchildrenareincludedinactivitiesinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.

How do I know my child is safe and not being bullied?

• Ifyoubelieveyourchildisbeingbulliedyouneedtotalktotheteacheraboutit.

• Askabouttheschool’spoliciesandhowitmanagesbullying.

How can I help if my child has a problem?

• Aparentshouldalwaysgotothechild’steacherfirstaboutaproblem.

• Ifyourchildtellsyouaboutworryingincidentsthathappenatschool,dotalktotheteacher,evenifyouthinkitmaynotbeveryimportant.

Questionstoaskatschool

How do I know my child is making good progress at the right level? What does a good report look like?

• Inthewrittencommentsonaportfolioorschoolreport,theteacherwilltellyouhowyourchildisdoinginrelationtotheNationalStandardsinreading,writingandmathematics.

• Youcanasktheteachertoexplainwhatthereportmeans.

• Youcanalsoaskhowyourchildisdoinginotherareasofthecurriculumlikescience,socialstudies,health,technology,physicaleducationandthearts.Allprimaryschoolsarerequiredtoteachthese,andtheyshouldallfeatureinschoolreportstoparents.

Is my child struggling with anything? If so, with what in particular?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifyourchildisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteacherisdoingaboutthis,andifthereisanythingyoucandotohelp.Youshouldalsofindouthowmuchworkisneededforyourchildtocatchup.

• YourchildmaybegivenanIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),oryoucanaskforone.IEPsaredesignedtousetheschool’sprogrammetosuittheneedsofyourchild.TheIEPwillhavesomelearninggoals,andwillsetoutwhatisneededtosupportyourchildinachievingthegoals.Becauseyouknowyourchildbest,youwillhaveanimportantcontributiontomaketotheIEP.

• FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,andenter‘IEPguidelines’inthesearchbox.

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

primaryschoolHowwEllISMYCHIldlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

secondaryschoolHowwEllISMYTEENAgErlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

allschoolsISMYCHIldSAFEANdHAPPYATSCHool?

What does it mean if the teacher simply says my child is ‘on track’ to meet the National Standards?

• TheNationalStandardsarenotatest.Thestandardsdescribewhatyourchildshouldknowandbeabletodoinreading,writingandmathematicsforeachprimaryschoolyear.Parentsneedtoknowwheretheirchildisinrelationtothestandardsandiftheprogresstheyaremakingisasexpected.Theteachershouldbeabletoexplainindetailhowwellyourchildisdoing.Thegoalisforeverychildtomeetthestandardsforreading,writingandmathematicsatthelevelappropriatetotheirageorschoolyearlevel.

• Youcanasktheteacherwhat‘ontrack’means,andhowajudgementismadeaboutwhereyourchildisinrelationtomeetingthestandards.

• AsktheteacherwhyitisimportantforyourchildtomeettheNationalStandards.

• ForinformationaboutNationalStandardsvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz>>TheMinistry>>Educationinitiatives>>NationalStandards.

What sort of information does the teacher or school have that can show me how well my child is doing?

• Youcanasktoseerecordsofyourchild’slearning:theportfoliosandworksamples,aswellasresultsofstandardisedtests(suchasaSTTle,PAT,STArandNumPA).Youcanaskhowtheteacherassessesthese,andwhatcriteriateachersuse.

• Foranexplanationofassessmenttermsseethe2008Eroreportat:www.ero.govt.nz>>Nationalreports>>AssessmentinPrimarySchools:AguideforParents.

What will my child learn next?

• Theteacherwillexplainwhattheclassisgoingtodo,whatshe/heisdoingwithyourchild,andwhatshe/hewillexpectyourchildtoworkon.

• Asktheteacherhowyourchildwillbetoldwhattoconcentrateonnext.

Should I know what all the education words and jargon mean?

• Iftheteacheroryourteenagerusesexpressionsthatyoudon’tunderstand,justaskwhattheymean.Youcannotbeexpectedtoknowallthedifferentnamesforcourses,programmesandprojectsinasecondaryschool.

• Youcanlookupmostthingsonline,butyourteenager’steacherswillalsobehappytoexplainthemeaningandhowparticularaspectsofthesevariousthingswillaffectyourdaughterorson’seducation.Itisfarbettertoaskatthetime,thanwishlaterthatyouhadunderstoodmore.

How do I help my teenager choose the right subjects?

• whenastudentchoosessubjectsforfutureyearsitisimportanttokeepoptionsopen.Forexample,itisnotagoodideatodropgeneralscience,whenchemistryorbiologymaybeanessentialsubjectforacoursetheywouldliketodolater.Itisreallyusefulforyoutohaveagooddiscussionwiththeteacher,deanorformteacher,andyourteenagerbeforefinaldecisionsaremade.

• Secondaryschoolsoftenhavecareersadviserswhocantalktoyouandyourteenageraboutpossiblecareersandthesubjectsneededtoprepareforthese.Asktotalktotheteacherorcareersadviseralongwithyourdaughterorson.

• Years9and10areimportant–theygiveagroundinginbasicsubjects,andhelpastudentprepareforchoosingNCEAsubjects.AsktheteacherhowyourteenagerwillchooseNCEAsubjects.Askhowthechoiceatthisstagewillaffectanyfuturecareerchoices.Theteachercantellyouwhatinformationhasbeengiventoyourdaughterorson.

If I have a concern, how do I raise it with my child’s teacher or the school?

• Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutyourchildortheschool,oracomplaint,youwillwanttoknowhowitwillbedealtwith.gototheteacherinthefirstinstance,ortheprincipalifthatismoreappropriate.

• Youmayliketowritedownthecircumstancessoyouknowwhattosaywhenyoutalktotheteacherorprincipal,oreventheboardoftrustees.Thinkaboutwhatyouwouldliketohappen,soyoucantelltheteacherortheschoolwhatyouexpect.

• Checktheschool’swebsiteorasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesonmakingacomplaint.

What standards of behaviour should I expect my child to experience at school?

• Standardsofbehaviourwillbesetoutintheschoolpolicies,andwilloftenbecommunicatedinaparentbookletorprospectus,orontheschool’swebsite.

• Therewillbeexpectationsforthewholeschooland,insomecases,atclasslevelandthesearelikelytobedisplayedprominentlyintheschool.

• Asktheteacherifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutuniform,clothingorhowyourchildshouldexpecttobetreatedbyotherstudentsandtheschoolstaff.

koteTamaititePu- takeotekaupapaTheChild–theHeartoftheMatter

How should I expect the school to treat my child?

• Parentsofchildrenwithspecialeducationneeds,specialabilities,orwhoarepartofagroupwhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglishmaywanttoasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesandproceduresforworkingwiththesestudents.

• whileallchildrenmustbegivenequalopportunitiestolearn,somechildrenwillbenefitfromspecificattentiontotheirparticularneeds,abilitiesandtalents.goodschoolstreatdiversityintheirstudentpopulationasabonus.Youcanaskaboutthisinyourchild’sschool.

• Ifyourchildhasspecialeducationneeds,youwillwantasmuchinformationasyoucangetabouthowtheschoolwillsupportyourchild.regulationsandrequirementsaresetoutontheMinistryofEducation’swebsite,andtheschoolwillhaveaSpecialEducationalNeedsCoordinator(SENCo)whowillworkwithyoutomakesureyourchildisgiventheattentionshe/heneeds.FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducation’swebsite:www.minedu.govt.nzandenter‘specialneeds’inthesearchbox.

How do I find out about the school’s safety procedures?

• Askwhathappensattheschoolwhenanearthquakeoranotherpotentialdisasteroccursduringschooltime.

• Askaboutwhatparentsandfamilymembersneedtoknowtohelptheirchildinthissituation.

Contacts

EduCATIoNrEvIEwoFFICEFor individual school reports and national reports on education issues

Nationaloffice,PoBox2799,wellington6140Email:info@ero.govt.nzPhone:04-4992489

MINISTrYoFEduCATIoNFor information about National Standards and NCEA, go to the Ministry website and type in National Standards or NCEA in the search box

www.minedu.govt.nzNationaloffice,PoBox1666,wellington6140Phone:04-4638000

CArEErSNEwZEAlANdFor information about planning a career

www.careersnz.govt.nzPhone:0800222733

NEwZEAlANdSCHool TruSTEES’ASSoCIATIoNFor information about boards of trustees

www.nzsta.org.nzPoBox5123,wellington6145Phone:04-4734955

NEwZEAlANdQuAlIFICATIoNSAuTHorITYFor information about how NCEA works

www.nzqa.govt.nzPoBox160,wellington6140Phone:0800697296

YouTHguArANTEEFor information about possible vocational pathways (careers)

www.youthguarantee.net.nz

www.ero.govt.nz

Hg:04.1310000

How is my child doing?

How do I know my daughter or son is making good progress at the right level?

• Inthewrittenschoolreport,theteacherswilltell youhowyourteenagerisdoinginallthesubjectsbeingtaken.

• Teacherswillbeabletotellyouifyourdaughterorsonisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteachersaredoingaboutthis,andwillsuggestwaysyourteenagercanhelphimorherself.

• Askaboutyourdaughterorson’sprogresstowardsmeetingNCEAlevels1,2and3duringeachyear,andhowmanycreditsshe/heshouldbegaining.

• AsktheteacherwhygainingNCEAlevelsisimportant.

• ForYears9and10,askearlyabouttherightcoursesorunitsyourteenagerneedstotaketoachievemeaningfulqualifications,ortohelpher/himachievefuturecareergoals.

Who should I speak to if I am worried about my teenager’s progress?

• Becausesecondarystudentshaveseveralteachers,youwillfirstneedtotalktotheformteacherordean.Askyourdaughterorsonwhothatis.

• Youcanfindoutfromtheschoolhowtomakeanappointment.

• Iftherearespecificsubjectsconcerningyou,askwhichotherteachersyoushouldtalkto.

Where can I find more information about careers and school subjects?

• Asktheteacherorcareersadvisorforinformation,orgototheCareersNewZealandwebsite:www.careers.govt.nz.

How does the teacher know my child is learning to the best of her/his ability?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifthereareanyparticularareasofconcern.Youshouldalsoalerttheteachertoanyconcernsaboutthechildathome.

Does my child get on well with other children?

• Askwhattheschooldoestomakesureallchildrenareincludedinactivitiesinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.

How do I know my child is safe and not being bullied?

• Ifyoubelieveyourchildisbeingbulliedyouneedtotalktotheteacheraboutit.

• Askabouttheschool’spoliciesandhowitmanagesbullying.

How can I help if my child has a problem?

• Aparentshouldalwaysgotothechild’steacherfirstaboutaproblem.

• Ifyourchildtellsyouaboutworryingincidentsthathappenatschool,dotalktotheteacher,evenifyouthinkitmaynotbeveryimportant.

Questionstoaskatschool

How do I know my child is making good progress at the right level? What does a good report look like?

• Inthewrittencommentsonaportfolioorschoolreport,theteacherwilltellyouhowyourchildisdoinginrelationtotheNationalStandardsinreading,writingandmathematics.

• Youcanasktheteachertoexplainwhatthereportmeans.

• Youcanalsoaskhowyourchildisdoinginotherareasofthecurriculumlikescience,socialstudies,health,technology,physicaleducationandthearts.Allprimaryschoolsarerequiredtoteachthese,andtheyshouldallfeatureinschoolreportstoparents.

Is my child struggling with anything? If so, with what in particular?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifyourchildisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteacherisdoingaboutthis,andifthereisanythingyoucandotohelp.Youshouldalsofindouthowmuchworkisneededforyourchildtocatchup.

• YourchildmaybegivenanIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),oryoucanaskforone.IEPsaredesignedtousetheschool’sprogrammetosuittheneedsofyourchild.TheIEPwillhavesomelearninggoals,andwillsetoutwhatisneededtosupportyourchildinachievingthegoals.Becauseyouknowyourchildbest,youwillhaveanimportantcontributiontomaketotheIEP.

• FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,andenter‘IEPguidelines’inthesearchbox.

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

primaryschoolHowwEllISMYCHIldlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

secondaryschoolHowwEllISMYTEENAgErlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

allschoolsISMYCHIldSAFEANdHAPPYATSCHool?

What does it mean if the teacher simply says my child is ‘on track’ to meet the National Standards?

• TheNationalStandardsarenotatest.Thestandardsdescribewhatyourchildshouldknowandbeabletodoinreading,writingandmathematicsforeachprimaryschoolyear.Parentsneedtoknowwheretheirchildisinrelationtothestandardsandiftheprogresstheyaremakingisasexpected.Theteachershouldbeabletoexplainindetailhowwellyourchildisdoing.Thegoalisforeverychildtomeetthestandardsforreading,writingandmathematicsatthelevelappropriatetotheirageorschoolyearlevel.

• Youcanasktheteacherwhat‘ontrack’means,andhowajudgementismadeaboutwhereyourchildisinrelationtomeetingthestandards.

• AsktheteacherwhyitisimportantforyourchildtomeettheNationalStandards.

• ForinformationaboutNationalStandardsvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz>>TheMinistry>>Educationinitiatives>>NationalStandards.

What sort of information does the teacher or school have that can show me how well my child is doing?

• Youcanasktoseerecordsofyourchild’slearning:theportfoliosandworksamples,aswellasresultsofstandardisedtests(suchasaSTTle,PAT,STArandNumPA).Youcanaskhowtheteacherassessesthese,andwhatcriteriateachersuse.

• Foranexplanationofassessmenttermsseethe2008Eroreportat:www.ero.govt.nz>>Nationalreports>>AssessmentinPrimarySchools:AguideforParents.

What will my child learn next?

• Theteacherwillexplainwhattheclassisgoingtodo,whatshe/heisdoingwithyourchild,andwhatshe/hewillexpectyourchildtoworkon.

• Asktheteacherhowyourchildwillbetoldwhattoconcentrateonnext.

Should I know what all the education words and jargon mean?

• Iftheteacheroryourteenagerusesexpressionsthatyoudon’tunderstand,justaskwhattheymean.Youcannotbeexpectedtoknowallthedifferentnamesforcourses,programmesandprojectsinasecondaryschool.

• Youcanlookupmostthingsonline,butyourteenager’steacherswillalsobehappytoexplainthemeaningandhowparticularaspectsofthesevariousthingswillaffectyourdaughterorson’seducation.Itisfarbettertoaskatthetime,thanwishlaterthatyouhadunderstoodmore.

How do I help my teenager choose the right subjects?

• whenastudentchoosessubjectsforfutureyearsitisimportanttokeepoptionsopen.Forexample,itisnotagoodideatodropgeneralscience,whenchemistryorbiologymaybeanessentialsubjectforacoursetheywouldliketodolater.Itisreallyusefulforyoutohaveagooddiscussionwiththeteacher,deanorformteacher,andyourteenagerbeforefinaldecisionsaremade.

• Secondaryschoolsoftenhavecareersadviserswhocantalktoyouandyourteenageraboutpossiblecareersandthesubjectsneededtoprepareforthese.Asktotalktotheteacherorcareersadviseralongwithyourdaughterorson.

• Years9and10areimportant–theygiveagroundinginbasicsubjects,andhelpastudentprepareforchoosingNCEAsubjects.AsktheteacherhowyourteenagerwillchooseNCEAsubjects.Askhowthechoiceatthisstagewillaffectanyfuturecareerchoices.Theteachercantellyouwhatinformationhasbeengiventoyourdaughterorson.

If I have a concern, how do I raise it with my child’s teacher or the school?

• Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutyourchildortheschool,oracomplaint,youwillwanttoknowhowitwillbedealtwith.gototheteacherinthefirstinstance,ortheprincipalifthatismoreappropriate.

• Youmayliketowritedownthecircumstancessoyouknowwhattosaywhenyoutalktotheteacherorprincipal,oreventheboardoftrustees.Thinkaboutwhatyouwouldliketohappen,soyoucantelltheteacherortheschoolwhatyouexpect.

• Checktheschool’swebsiteorasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesonmakingacomplaint.

What standards of behaviour should I expect my child to experience at school?

• Standardsofbehaviourwillbesetoutintheschoolpolicies,andwilloftenbecommunicatedinaparentbookletorprospectus,orontheschool’swebsite.

• Therewillbeexpectationsforthewholeschooland,insomecases,atclasslevelandthesearelikelytobedisplayedprominentlyintheschool.

• Asktheteacherifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutuniform,clothingorhowyourchildshouldexpecttobetreatedbyotherstudentsandtheschoolstaff.

koteTamaititePu- takeotekaupapaTheChild–theHeartoftheMatter

How should I expect the school to treat my child?

• Parentsofchildrenwithspecialeducationneeds,specialabilities,orwhoarepartofagroupwhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglishmaywanttoasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesandproceduresforworkingwiththesestudents.

• whileallchildrenmustbegivenequalopportunitiestolearn,somechildrenwillbenefitfromspecificattentiontotheirparticularneeds,abilitiesandtalents.goodschoolstreatdiversityintheirstudentpopulationasabonus.Youcanaskaboutthisinyourchild’sschool.

• Ifyourchildhasspecialeducationneeds,youwillwantasmuchinformationasyoucangetabouthowtheschoolwillsupportyourchild.regulationsandrequirementsaresetoutontheMinistryofEducation’swebsite,andtheschoolwillhaveaSpecialEducationalNeedsCoordinator(SENCo)whowillworkwithyoutomakesureyourchildisgiventheattentionshe/heneeds.FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducation’swebsite:www.minedu.govt.nzandenter‘specialneeds’inthesearchbox.

How do I find out about the school’s safety procedures?

• Askwhathappensattheschoolwhenanearthquakeoranotherpotentialdisasteroccursduringschooltime.

• Askaboutwhatparentsandfamilymembersneedtoknowtohelptheirchildinthissituation.

Contacts

EduCATIoNrEvIEwoFFICEFor individual school reports and national reports on education issues

Nationaloffice,PoBox2799,wellington6140Email:info@ero.govt.nzPhone:04-4992489

MINISTrYoFEduCATIoNFor information about National Standards and NCEA, go to the Ministry website and type in National Standards or NCEA in the search box

www.minedu.govt.nzNationaloffice,PoBox1666,wellington6140Phone:04-4638000

CArEErSNEwZEAlANdFor information about planning a career

www.careersnz.govt.nzPhone:0800222733

NEwZEAlANdSCHool TruSTEES’ASSoCIATIoNFor information about boards of trustees

www.nzsta.org.nzPoBox5123,wellington6145Phone:04-4734955

NEwZEAlANdQuAlIFICATIoNSAuTHorITYFor information about how NCEA works

www.nzqa.govt.nzPoBox160,wellington6140Phone:0800697296

YouTHguArANTEEFor information about possible vocational pathways (careers)

www.youthguarantee.net.nz

www.ero.govt.nz

Hg:04.1310000

How is my child doing?

How do I know my daughter or son is making good progress at the right level?

• Inthewrittenschoolreport,theteacherswilltell youhowyourteenagerisdoinginallthesubjectsbeingtaken.

• Teacherswillbeabletotellyouifyourdaughterorsonisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteachersaredoingaboutthis,andwillsuggestwaysyourteenagercanhelphimorherself.

• Askaboutyourdaughterorson’sprogresstowardsmeetingNCEAlevels1,2and3duringeachyear,andhowmanycreditsshe/heshouldbegaining.

• AsktheteacherwhygainingNCEAlevelsisimportant.

• ForYears9and10,askearlyabouttherightcoursesorunitsyourteenagerneedstotaketoachievemeaningfulqualifications,ortohelpher/himachievefuturecareergoals.

Who should I speak to if I am worried about my teenager’s progress?

• Becausesecondarystudentshaveseveralteachers,youwillfirstneedtotalktotheformteacherordean.Askyourdaughterorsonwhothatis.

• Youcanfindoutfromtheschoolhowtomakeanappointment.

• Iftherearespecificsubjectsconcerningyou,askwhichotherteachersyoushouldtalkto.

Where can I find more information about careers and school subjects?

• Asktheteacherorcareersadvisorforinformation,orgototheCareersNewZealandwebsite:www.careers.govt.nz.

How does the teacher know my child is learning to the best of her/his ability?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifthereareanyparticularareasofconcern.Youshouldalsoalerttheteachertoanyconcernsaboutthechildathome.

Does my child get on well with other children?

• Askwhattheschooldoestomakesureallchildrenareincludedinactivitiesinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.

How do I know my child is safe and not being bullied?

• Ifyoubelieveyourchildisbeingbulliedyouneedtotalktotheteacheraboutit.

• Askabouttheschool’spoliciesandhowitmanagesbullying.

How can I help if my child has a problem?

• Aparentshouldalwaysgotothechild’steacherfirstaboutaproblem.

• Ifyourchildtellsyouaboutworryingincidentsthathappenatschool,dotalktotheteacher,evenifyouthinkitmaynotbeveryimportant.

Questionstoaskatschool

How do I know my child is making good progress at the right level? What does a good report look like?

• Inthewrittencommentsonaportfolioorschoolreport,theteacherwilltellyouhowyourchildisdoinginrelationtotheNationalStandardsinreading,writingandmathematics.

• Youcanasktheteachertoexplainwhatthereportmeans.

• Youcanalsoaskhowyourchildisdoinginotherareasofthecurriculumlikescience,socialstudies,health,technology,physicaleducationandthearts.Allprimaryschoolsarerequiredtoteachthese,andtheyshouldallfeatureinschoolreportstoparents.

Is my child struggling with anything? If so, with what in particular?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifyourchildisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteacherisdoingaboutthis,andifthereisanythingyoucandotohelp.Youshouldalsofindouthowmuchworkisneededforyourchildtocatchup.

• YourchildmaybegivenanIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),oryoucanaskforone.IEPsaredesignedtousetheschool’sprogrammetosuittheneedsofyourchild.TheIEPwillhavesomelearninggoals,andwillsetoutwhatisneededtosupportyourchildinachievingthegoals.Becauseyouknowyourchildbest,youwillhaveanimportantcontributiontomaketotheIEP.

• FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,andenter‘IEPguidelines’inthesearchbox.

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

primaryschoolHowwEllISMYCHIldlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

secondaryschoolHowwEllISMYTEENAgErlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

allschoolsISMYCHIldSAFEANdHAPPYATSCHool?

What does it mean if the teacher simply says my child is ‘on track’ to meet the National Standards?

• TheNationalStandardsarenotatest.Thestandardsdescribewhatyourchildshouldknowandbeabletodoinreading,writingandmathematicsforeachprimaryschoolyear.Parentsneedtoknowwheretheirchildisinrelationtothestandardsandiftheprogresstheyaremakingisasexpected.Theteachershouldbeabletoexplainindetailhowwellyourchildisdoing.Thegoalisforeverychildtomeetthestandardsforreading,writingandmathematicsatthelevelappropriatetotheirageorschoolyearlevel.

• Youcanasktheteacherwhat‘ontrack’means,andhowajudgementismadeaboutwhereyourchildisinrelationtomeetingthestandards.

• AsktheteacherwhyitisimportantforyourchildtomeettheNationalStandards.

• ForinformationaboutNationalStandardsvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz>>TheMinistry>>Educationinitiatives>>NationalStandards.

What sort of information does the teacher or school have that can show me how well my child is doing?

• Youcanasktoseerecordsofyourchild’slearning:theportfoliosandworksamples,aswellasresultsofstandardisedtests(suchasaSTTle,PAT,STArandNumPA).Youcanaskhowtheteacherassessesthese,andwhatcriteriateachersuse.

• Foranexplanationofassessmenttermsseethe2008Eroreportat:www.ero.govt.nz>>Nationalreports>>AssessmentinPrimarySchools:AguideforParents.

What will my child learn next?

• Theteacherwillexplainwhattheclassisgoingtodo,whatshe/heisdoingwithyourchild,andwhatshe/hewillexpectyourchildtoworkon.

• Asktheteacherhowyourchildwillbetoldwhattoconcentrateonnext.

Should I know what all the education words and jargon mean?

• Iftheteacheroryourteenagerusesexpressionsthatyoudon’tunderstand,justaskwhattheymean.Youcannotbeexpectedtoknowallthedifferentnamesforcourses,programmesandprojectsinasecondaryschool.

• Youcanlookupmostthingsonline,butyourteenager’steacherswillalsobehappytoexplainthemeaningandhowparticularaspectsofthesevariousthingswillaffectyourdaughterorson’seducation.Itisfarbettertoaskatthetime,thanwishlaterthatyouhadunderstoodmore.

How do I help my teenager choose the right subjects?

• whenastudentchoosessubjectsforfutureyearsitisimportanttokeepoptionsopen.Forexample,itisnotagoodideatodropgeneralscience,whenchemistryorbiologymaybeanessentialsubjectforacoursetheywouldliketodolater.Itisreallyusefulforyoutohaveagooddiscussionwiththeteacher,deanorformteacher,andyourteenagerbeforefinaldecisionsaremade.

• Secondaryschoolsoftenhavecareersadviserswhocantalktoyouandyourteenageraboutpossiblecareersandthesubjectsneededtoprepareforthese.Asktotalktotheteacherorcareersadviseralongwithyourdaughterorson.

• Years9and10areimportant–theygiveagroundinginbasicsubjects,andhelpastudentprepareforchoosingNCEAsubjects.AsktheteacherhowyourteenagerwillchooseNCEAsubjects.Askhowthechoiceatthisstagewillaffectanyfuturecareerchoices.Theteachercantellyouwhatinformationhasbeengiventoyourdaughterorson.

If I have a concern, how do I raise it with my child’s teacher or the school?

• Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutyourchildortheschool,oracomplaint,youwillwanttoknowhowitwillbedealtwith.gototheteacherinthefirstinstance,ortheprincipalifthatismoreappropriate.

• Youmayliketowritedownthecircumstancessoyouknowwhattosaywhenyoutalktotheteacherorprincipal,oreventheboardoftrustees.Thinkaboutwhatyouwouldliketohappen,soyoucantelltheteacherortheschoolwhatyouexpect.

• Checktheschool’swebsiteorasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesonmakingacomplaint.

What standards of behaviour should I expect my child to experience at school?

• Standardsofbehaviourwillbesetoutintheschoolpolicies,andwilloftenbecommunicatedinaparentbookletorprospectus,orontheschool’swebsite.

• Therewillbeexpectationsforthewholeschooland,insomecases,atclasslevelandthesearelikelytobedisplayedprominentlyintheschool.

• Asktheteacherifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutuniform,clothingorhowyourchildshouldexpecttobetreatedbyotherstudentsandtheschoolstaff.

koteTamaititePu- takeotekaupapaTheChild–theHeartoftheMatter

How should I expect the school to treat my child?

• Parentsofchildrenwithspecialeducationneeds,specialabilities,orwhoarepartofagroupwhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglishmaywanttoasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesandproceduresforworkingwiththesestudents.

• whileallchildrenmustbegivenequalopportunitiestolearn,somechildrenwillbenefitfromspecificattentiontotheirparticularneeds,abilitiesandtalents.goodschoolstreatdiversityintheirstudentpopulationasabonus.Youcanaskaboutthisinyourchild’sschool.

• Ifyourchildhasspecialeducationneeds,youwillwantasmuchinformationasyoucangetabouthowtheschoolwillsupportyourchild.regulationsandrequirementsaresetoutontheMinistryofEducation’swebsite,andtheschoolwillhaveaSpecialEducationalNeedsCoordinator(SENCo)whowillworkwithyoutomakesureyourchildisgiventheattentionshe/heneeds.FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducation’swebsite:www.minedu.govt.nzandenter‘specialneeds’inthesearchbox.

How do I find out about the school’s safety procedures?

• Askwhathappensattheschoolwhenanearthquakeoranotherpotentialdisasteroccursduringschooltime.

• Askaboutwhatparentsandfamilymembersneedtoknowtohelptheirchildinthissituation.

Contacts

EduCATIoNrEvIEwoFFICEFor individual school reports and national reports on education issues

Nationaloffice,PoBox2799,wellington6140Email:info@ero.govt.nzPhone:04-4992489

MINISTrYoFEduCATIoNFor information about National Standards and NCEA, go to the Ministry website and type in National Standards or NCEA in the search box

www.minedu.govt.nzNationaloffice,PoBox1666,wellington6140Phone:04-4638000

CArEErSNEwZEAlANdFor information about planning a career

www.careersnz.govt.nzPhone:0800222733

NEwZEAlANdSCHool TruSTEES’ASSoCIATIoNFor information about boards of trustees

www.nzsta.org.nzPoBox5123,wellington6145Phone:04-4734955

NEwZEAlANdQuAlIFICATIoNSAuTHorITYFor information about how NCEA works

www.nzqa.govt.nzPoBox160,wellington6140Phone:0800697296

YouTHguArANTEEFor information about possible vocational pathways (careers)

www.youthguarantee.net.nz

www.ero.govt.nz

Hg:04.1310000

How is my child doing?

How do I know my daughter or son is making good progress at the right level?

• Inthewrittenschoolreport,theteacherswilltell youhowyourteenagerisdoinginallthesubjectsbeingtaken.

• Teacherswillbeabletotellyouifyourdaughterorsonisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteachersaredoingaboutthis,andwillsuggestwaysyourteenagercanhelphimorherself.

• Askaboutyourdaughterorson’sprogresstowardsmeetingNCEAlevels1,2and3duringeachyear,andhowmanycreditsshe/heshouldbegaining.

• AsktheteacherwhygainingNCEAlevelsisimportant.

• ForYears9and10,askearlyabouttherightcoursesorunitsyourteenagerneedstotaketoachievemeaningfulqualifications,ortohelpher/himachievefuturecareergoals.

Who should I speak to if I am worried about my teenager’s progress?

• Becausesecondarystudentshaveseveralteachers,youwillfirstneedtotalktotheformteacherordean.Askyourdaughterorsonwhothatis.

• Youcanfindoutfromtheschoolhowtomakeanappointment.

• Iftherearespecificsubjectsconcerningyou,askwhichotherteachersyoushouldtalkto.

Where can I find more information about careers and school subjects?

• Asktheteacherorcareersadvisorforinformation,orgototheCareersNewZealandwebsite:www.careers.govt.nz.

How does the teacher know my child is learning to the best of her/his ability?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifthereareanyparticularareasofconcern.Youshouldalsoalerttheteachertoanyconcernsaboutthechildathome.

Does my child get on well with other children?

• Askwhattheschooldoestomakesureallchildrenareincludedinactivitiesinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.

How do I know my child is safe and not being bullied?

• Ifyoubelieveyourchildisbeingbulliedyouneedtotalktotheteacheraboutit.

• Askabouttheschool’spoliciesandhowitmanagesbullying.

How can I help if my child has a problem?

• Aparentshouldalwaysgotothechild’steacherfirstaboutaproblem.

• Ifyourchildtellsyouaboutworryingincidentsthathappenatschool,dotalktotheteacher,evenifyouthinkitmaynotbeveryimportant.

Questionstoaskatschool

How do I know my child is making good progress at the right level? What does a good report look like?

• Inthewrittencommentsonaportfolioorschoolreport,theteacherwilltellyouhowyourchildisdoinginrelationtotheNationalStandardsinreading,writingandmathematics.

• Youcanasktheteachertoexplainwhatthereportmeans.

• Youcanalsoaskhowyourchildisdoinginotherareasofthecurriculumlikescience,socialstudies,health,technology,physicaleducationandthearts.Allprimaryschoolsarerequiredtoteachthese,andtheyshouldallfeatureinschoolreportstoparents.

Is my child struggling with anything? If so, with what in particular?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifyourchildisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteacherisdoingaboutthis,andifthereisanythingyoucandotohelp.Youshouldalsofindouthowmuchworkisneededforyourchildtocatchup.

• YourchildmaybegivenanIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),oryoucanaskforone.IEPsaredesignedtousetheschool’sprogrammetosuittheneedsofyourchild.TheIEPwillhavesomelearninggoals,andwillsetoutwhatisneededtosupportyourchildinachievingthegoals.Becauseyouknowyourchildbest,youwillhaveanimportantcontributiontomaketotheIEP.

• FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,andenter‘IEPguidelines’inthesearchbox.

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

primaryschoolHowwEllISMYCHIldlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

secondaryschoolHowwEllISMYTEENAgErlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

allschoolsISMYCHIldSAFEANdHAPPYATSCHool?

What does it mean if the teacher simply says my child is ‘on track’ to meet the National Standards?

• TheNationalStandardsarenotatest.Thestandardsdescribewhatyourchildshouldknowandbeabletodoinreading,writingandmathematicsforeachprimaryschoolyear.Parentsneedtoknowwheretheirchildisinrelationtothestandardsandiftheprogresstheyaremakingisasexpected.Theteachershouldbeabletoexplainindetailhowwellyourchildisdoing.Thegoalisforeverychildtomeetthestandardsforreading,writingandmathematicsatthelevelappropriatetotheirageorschoolyearlevel.

• Youcanasktheteacherwhat‘ontrack’means,andhowajudgementismadeaboutwhereyourchildisinrelationtomeetingthestandards.

• AsktheteacherwhyitisimportantforyourchildtomeettheNationalStandards.

• ForinformationaboutNationalStandardsvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz>>TheMinistry>>Educationinitiatives>>NationalStandards.

What sort of information does the teacher or school have that can show me how well my child is doing?

• Youcanasktoseerecordsofyourchild’slearning:theportfoliosandworksamples,aswellasresultsofstandardisedtests(suchasaSTTle,PAT,STArandNumPA).Youcanaskhowtheteacherassessesthese,andwhatcriteriateachersuse.

• Foranexplanationofassessmenttermsseethe2008Eroreportat:www.ero.govt.nz>>Nationalreports>>AssessmentinPrimarySchools:AguideforParents.

What will my child learn next?

• Theteacherwillexplainwhattheclassisgoingtodo,whatshe/heisdoingwithyourchild,andwhatshe/hewillexpectyourchildtoworkon.

• Asktheteacherhowyourchildwillbetoldwhattoconcentrateonnext.

Should I know what all the education words and jargon mean?

• Iftheteacheroryourteenagerusesexpressionsthatyoudon’tunderstand,justaskwhattheymean.Youcannotbeexpectedtoknowallthedifferentnamesforcourses,programmesandprojectsinasecondaryschool.

• Youcanlookupmostthingsonline,butyourteenager’steacherswillalsobehappytoexplainthemeaningandhowparticularaspectsofthesevariousthingswillaffectyourdaughterorson’seducation.Itisfarbettertoaskatthetime,thanwishlaterthatyouhadunderstoodmore.

How do I help my teenager choose the right subjects?

• whenastudentchoosessubjectsforfutureyearsitisimportanttokeepoptionsopen.Forexample,itisnotagoodideatodropgeneralscience,whenchemistryorbiologymaybeanessentialsubjectforacoursetheywouldliketodolater.Itisreallyusefulforyoutohaveagooddiscussionwiththeteacher,deanorformteacher,andyourteenagerbeforefinaldecisionsaremade.

• Secondaryschoolsoftenhavecareersadviserswhocantalktoyouandyourteenageraboutpossiblecareersandthesubjectsneededtoprepareforthese.Asktotalktotheteacherorcareersadviseralongwithyourdaughterorson.

• Years9and10areimportant–theygiveagroundinginbasicsubjects,andhelpastudentprepareforchoosingNCEAsubjects.AsktheteacherhowyourteenagerwillchooseNCEAsubjects.Askhowthechoiceatthisstagewillaffectanyfuturecareerchoices.Theteachercantellyouwhatinformationhasbeengiventoyourdaughterorson.

If I have a concern, how do I raise it with my child’s teacher or the school?

• Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutyourchildortheschool,oracomplaint,youwillwanttoknowhowitwillbedealtwith.gototheteacherinthefirstinstance,ortheprincipalifthatismoreappropriate.

• Youmayliketowritedownthecircumstancessoyouknowwhattosaywhenyoutalktotheteacherorprincipal,oreventheboardoftrustees.Thinkaboutwhatyouwouldliketohappen,soyoucantelltheteacherortheschoolwhatyouexpect.

• Checktheschool’swebsiteorasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesonmakingacomplaint.

What standards of behaviour should I expect my child to experience at school?

• Standardsofbehaviourwillbesetoutintheschoolpolicies,andwilloftenbecommunicatedinaparentbookletorprospectus,orontheschool’swebsite.

• Therewillbeexpectationsforthewholeschooland,insomecases,atclasslevelandthesearelikelytobedisplayedprominentlyintheschool.

• Asktheteacherifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutuniform,clothingorhowyourchildshouldexpecttobetreatedbyotherstudentsandtheschoolstaff.

koteTamaititePu- takeotekaupapaTheChild–theHeartoftheMatter

How should I expect the school to treat my child?

• Parentsofchildrenwithspecialeducationneeds,specialabilities,orwhoarepartofagroupwhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglishmaywanttoasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesandproceduresforworkingwiththesestudents.

• whileallchildrenmustbegivenequalopportunitiestolearn,somechildrenwillbenefitfromspecificattentiontotheirparticularneeds,abilitiesandtalents.goodschoolstreatdiversityintheirstudentpopulationasabonus.Youcanaskaboutthisinyourchild’sschool.

• Ifyourchildhasspecialeducationneeds,youwillwantasmuchinformationasyoucangetabouthowtheschoolwillsupportyourchild.regulationsandrequirementsaresetoutontheMinistryofEducation’swebsite,andtheschoolwillhaveaSpecialEducationalNeedsCoordinator(SENCo)whowillworkwithyoutomakesureyourchildisgiventheattentionshe/heneeds.FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducation’swebsite:www.minedu.govt.nzandenter‘specialneeds’inthesearchbox.

How do I find out about the school’s safety procedures?

• Askwhathappensattheschoolwhenanearthquakeoranotherpotentialdisasteroccursduringschooltime.

• Askaboutwhatparentsandfamilymembersneedtoknowtohelptheirchildinthissituation.

Contacts

EduCATIoNrEvIEwoFFICEFor individual school reports and national reports on education issues

Nationaloffice,PoBox2799,wellington6140Email:info@ero.govt.nzPhone:04-4992489

MINISTrYoFEduCATIoNFor information about National Standards and NCEA, go to the Ministry website and type in National Standards or NCEA in the search box

www.minedu.govt.nzNationaloffice,PoBox1666,wellington6140Phone:04-4638000

CArEErSNEwZEAlANdFor information about planning a career

www.careersnz.govt.nzPhone:0800222733

NEwZEAlANdSCHool TruSTEES’ASSoCIATIoNFor information about boards of trustees

www.nzsta.org.nzPoBox5123,wellington6145Phone:04-4734955

NEwZEAlANdQuAlIFICATIoNSAuTHorITYFor information about how NCEA works

www.nzqa.govt.nzPoBox160,wellington6140Phone:0800697296

YouTHguArANTEEFor information about possible vocational pathways (careers)

www.youthguarantee.net.nz

www.ero.govt.nz

Hg:04.1310000

How is my child doing?

How do I know my daughter or son is making good progress at the right level?

• Inthewrittenschoolreport,theteacherswilltell youhowyourteenagerisdoinginallthesubjectsbeingtaken.

• Teacherswillbeabletotellyouifyourdaughterorsonisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteachersaredoingaboutthis,andwillsuggestwaysyourteenagercanhelphimorherself.

• Askaboutyourdaughterorson’sprogresstowardsmeetingNCEAlevels1,2and3duringeachyear,andhowmanycreditsshe/heshouldbegaining.

• AsktheteacherwhygainingNCEAlevelsisimportant.

• ForYears9and10,askearlyabouttherightcoursesorunitsyourteenagerneedstotaketoachievemeaningfulqualifications,ortohelpher/himachievefuturecareergoals.

Who should I speak to if I am worried about my teenager’s progress?

• Becausesecondarystudentshaveseveralteachers,youwillfirstneedtotalktotheformteacherordean.Askyourdaughterorsonwhothatis.

• Youcanfindoutfromtheschoolhowtomakeanappointment.

• Iftherearespecificsubjectsconcerningyou,askwhichotherteachersyoushouldtalkto.

Where can I find more information about careers and school subjects?

• Asktheteacherorcareersadvisorforinformation,orgototheCareersNewZealandwebsite:www.careers.govt.nz.

How does the teacher know my child is learning to the best of her/his ability?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifthereareanyparticularareasofconcern.Youshouldalsoalerttheteachertoanyconcernsaboutthechildathome.

Does my child get on well with other children?

• Askwhattheschooldoestomakesureallchildrenareincludedinactivitiesinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.

How do I know my child is safe and not being bullied?

• Ifyoubelieveyourchildisbeingbulliedyouneedtotalktotheteacheraboutit.

• Askabouttheschool’spoliciesandhowitmanagesbullying.

How can I help if my child has a problem?

• Aparentshouldalwaysgotothechild’steacherfirstaboutaproblem.

• Ifyourchildtellsyouaboutworryingincidentsthathappenatschool,dotalktotheteacher,evenifyouthinkitmaynotbeveryimportant.

Questionstoaskatschool

How do I know my child is making good progress at the right level? What does a good report look like?

• Inthewrittencommentsonaportfolioorschoolreport,theteacherwilltellyouhowyourchildisdoinginrelationtotheNationalStandardsinreading,writingandmathematics.

• Youcanasktheteachertoexplainwhatthereportmeans.

• Youcanalsoaskhowyourchildisdoinginotherareasofthecurriculumlikescience,socialstudies,health,technology,physicaleducationandthearts.Allprimaryschoolsarerequiredtoteachthese,andtheyshouldallfeatureinschoolreportstoparents.

Is my child struggling with anything? If so, with what in particular?

• Theteacherwillbeabletotellyouifyourchildisnotdoingaswellasexpected,whattheteacherisdoingaboutthis,andifthereisanythingyoucandotohelp.Youshouldalsofindouthowmuchworkisneededforyourchildtocatchup.

• YourchildmaybegivenanIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),oryoucanaskforone.IEPsaredesignedtousetheschool’sprogrammetosuittheneedsofyourchild.TheIEPwillhavesomelearninggoals,andwillsetoutwhatisneededtosupportyourchildinachievingthegoals.Becauseyouknowyourchildbest,youwillhaveanimportantcontributiontomaketotheIEP.

• FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz,andenter‘IEPguidelines’inthesearchbox.

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

primaryschoolHowwEllISMYCHIldlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

secondaryschoolHowwEllISMYTEENAgErlEArNINg?

QuESTIoNSToASkAT

allschoolsISMYCHIldSAFEANdHAPPYATSCHool?

What does it mean if the teacher simply says my child is ‘on track’ to meet the National Standards?

• TheNationalStandardsarenotatest.Thestandardsdescribewhatyourchildshouldknowandbeabletodoinreading,writingandmathematicsforeachprimaryschoolyear.Parentsneedtoknowwheretheirchildisinrelationtothestandardsandiftheprogresstheyaremakingisasexpected.Theteachershouldbeabletoexplainindetailhowwellyourchildisdoing.Thegoalisforeverychildtomeetthestandardsforreading,writingandmathematicsatthelevelappropriatetotheirageorschoolyearlevel.

• Youcanasktheteacherwhat‘ontrack’means,andhowajudgementismadeaboutwhereyourchildisinrelationtomeetingthestandards.

• AsktheteacherwhyitisimportantforyourchildtomeettheNationalStandards.

• ForinformationaboutNationalStandardsvisittheMinistryofEducationwebsite:www.minedu.govt.nz>>TheMinistry>>Educationinitiatives>>NationalStandards.

What sort of information does the teacher or school have that can show me how well my child is doing?

• Youcanasktoseerecordsofyourchild’slearning:theportfoliosandworksamples,aswellasresultsofstandardisedtests(suchasaSTTle,PAT,STArandNumPA).Youcanaskhowtheteacherassessesthese,andwhatcriteriateachersuse.

• Foranexplanationofassessmenttermsseethe2008Eroreportat:www.ero.govt.nz>>Nationalreports>>AssessmentinPrimarySchools:AguideforParents.

What will my child learn next?

• Theteacherwillexplainwhattheclassisgoingtodo,whatshe/heisdoingwithyourchild,andwhatshe/hewillexpectyourchildtoworkon.

• Asktheteacherhowyourchildwillbetoldwhattoconcentrateonnext.

Should I know what all the education words and jargon mean?

• Iftheteacheroryourteenagerusesexpressionsthatyoudon’tunderstand,justaskwhattheymean.Youcannotbeexpectedtoknowallthedifferentnamesforcourses,programmesandprojectsinasecondaryschool.

• Youcanlookupmostthingsonline,butyourteenager’steacherswillalsobehappytoexplainthemeaningandhowparticularaspectsofthesevariousthingswillaffectyourdaughterorson’seducation.Itisfarbettertoaskatthetime,thanwishlaterthatyouhadunderstoodmore.

How do I help my teenager choose the right subjects?

• whenastudentchoosessubjectsforfutureyearsitisimportanttokeepoptionsopen.Forexample,itisnotagoodideatodropgeneralscience,whenchemistryorbiologymaybeanessentialsubjectforacoursetheywouldliketodolater.Itisreallyusefulforyoutohaveagooddiscussionwiththeteacher,deanorformteacher,andyourteenagerbeforefinaldecisionsaremade.

• Secondaryschoolsoftenhavecareersadviserswhocantalktoyouandyourteenageraboutpossiblecareersandthesubjectsneededtoprepareforthese.Asktotalktotheteacherorcareersadviseralongwithyourdaughterorson.

• Years9and10areimportant–theygiveagroundinginbasicsubjects,andhelpastudentprepareforchoosingNCEAsubjects.AsktheteacherhowyourteenagerwillchooseNCEAsubjects.Askhowthechoiceatthisstagewillaffectanyfuturecareerchoices.Theteachercantellyouwhatinformationhasbeengiventoyourdaughterorson.

If I have a concern, how do I raise it with my child’s teacher or the school?

• Ifyouhaveaconcernaboutyourchildortheschool,oracomplaint,youwillwanttoknowhowitwillbedealtwith.gototheteacherinthefirstinstance,ortheprincipalifthatismoreappropriate.

• Youmayliketowritedownthecircumstancessoyouknowwhattosaywhenyoutalktotheteacherorprincipal,oreventheboardoftrustees.Thinkaboutwhatyouwouldliketohappen,soyoucantelltheteacherortheschoolwhatyouexpect.

• Checktheschool’swebsiteorasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesonmakingacomplaint.

What standards of behaviour should I expect my child to experience at school?

• Standardsofbehaviourwillbesetoutintheschoolpolicies,andwilloftenbecommunicatedinaparentbookletorprospectus,orontheschool’swebsite.

• Therewillbeexpectationsforthewholeschooland,insomecases,atclasslevelandthesearelikelytobedisplayedprominentlyintheschool.

• Asktheteacherifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutuniform,clothingorhowyourchildshouldexpecttobetreatedbyotherstudentsandtheschoolstaff.

koteTamaititePu- takeotekaupapaTheChild–theHeartoftheMatter

How should I expect the school to treat my child?

• Parentsofchildrenwithspecialeducationneeds,specialabilities,orwhoarepartofagroupwhosefirstlanguageisnotEnglishmaywanttoasktheteacherabouttheschool’spoliciesandproceduresforworkingwiththesestudents.

• whileallchildrenmustbegivenequalopportunitiestolearn,somechildrenwillbenefitfromspecificattentiontotheirparticularneeds,abilitiesandtalents.goodschoolstreatdiversityintheirstudentpopulationasabonus.Youcanaskaboutthisinyourchild’sschool.

• Ifyourchildhasspecialeducationneeds,youwillwantasmuchinformationasyoucangetabouthowtheschoolwillsupportyourchild.regulationsandrequirementsaresetoutontheMinistryofEducation’swebsite,andtheschoolwillhaveaSpecialEducationalNeedsCoordinator(SENCo)whowillworkwithyoutomakesureyourchildisgiventheattentionshe/heneeds.FormoreinformationvisittheMinistryofEducation’swebsite:www.minedu.govt.nzandenter‘specialneeds’inthesearchbox.

How do I find out about the school’s safety procedures?

• Askwhathappensattheschoolwhenanearthquakeoranotherpotentialdisasteroccursduringschooltime.

• Askaboutwhatparentsandfamilymembersneedtoknowtohelptheirchildinthissituation.

Contacts

EduCATIoNrEvIEwoFFICEFor individual school reports and national reports on education issues

Nationaloffice,PoBox2799,wellington6140Email:info@ero.govt.nzPhone:04-4992489

MINISTrYoFEduCATIoNFor information about National Standards and NCEA, go to the Ministry website and type in National Standards or NCEA in the search box

www.minedu.govt.nzNationaloffice,PoBox1666,wellington6140Phone:04-4638000

CArEErSNEwZEAlANdFor information about planning a career

www.careersnz.govt.nzPhone:0800222733

NEwZEAlANdSCHool TruSTEES’ASSoCIATIoNFor information about boards of trustees

www.nzsta.org.nzPoBox5123,wellington6145Phone:04-4734955

NEwZEAlANdQuAlIFICATIoNSAuTHorITYFor information about how NCEA works

www.nzqa.govt.nzPoBox160,wellington6140Phone:0800697296

YouTHguArANTEEFor information about possible vocational pathways (careers)

www.youthguarantee.net.nz

www.ero.govt.nz

Hg:04.1310000