From the Deputies

Student-Led Conferences

A Notice from the Deputy Head of Curriculum

We look forward to seeing parents of students in Kindergarten to Year 5 at school next week to celebrate student learning at the Student-led Conferences.

Tuesday 13 September	Kindergarten     8:30 – 10:30am	Year 3                    11:15 – 1:15
Wednesday 14 September	Year 1                 8:30 – 10:30am	Year 4                    11:15 – 1:15
Thursday 15 September	Year 2                 8:30 – 10:30am	Year 5                    11:15 – 1:15

Please note that the Year 6 students will present their Exhibition in Term 4, in place of the Student-led Conference.

Why do we have Student-led Conferences?

• Student-led Conferences provide the opportunity for parents, students and teachers to be valued partners.
• The Student-led Conference is an important component of our reporting and feedback to parents, which also includes the Semester Report, Parent-Teacher interviews and the sharing of student workbooks.
• The Student-led Conference provides an authentic context for students to demonstrate the attributes of the IB learner profile.
• The conferences are an informative and enlightening way for parents to understand, share and celebrate their child’s progress.
• Students are involved in the selection of work to share with their parents and identify points of growth and areas for further development.
• Students are empowered and develop a greater sense of ownership of their learning through the experience of guiding their parents in an explanation of their learning journey.
• The conference preparation and process encourages students to be reflective about their development and instil self-confidence as they articulate the process of their learning and achievements.

What can you expect at the Student-led Conference?

Each conference will be allocated a block of time in the classroom and in each of the single-subject areas. Approximately 6-8 families may be conducting conferences in a classroom at the same time and up to 15 in the single-subject areas. During the conference, you will accompany your child through different aspects, planned by the teachers and students. You may be shown completed work, see demonstrations of skills and be told about the class and your child’s part in it. You might view special projects or be asked to participate in a learning task with your child.

It is important to remember that students will take full responsibility for leading the conference. They will have planned specific areas and rehearsed the conference in a specific order. Please allow them to proceed with their plan. Above all, expect your child to share his strengths and progress, as well as evidence of his knowledge, skills, conceptual understanding and approaches to learning. It is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain insight into your child’s learning, through the most important lens…his own.

End of Term Reminders
We remind parents that this term ends on Friday, 16 September at the normal time. Term 4 commences for all Junior School students on Monday, 10 October. All boys should return in full summer school uniform. Over the holidays, please check your son’s items to ensure he has not accidentally acquired something that belongs to another boy. The holidays are also a good time for the boys to have a haircut.