Deputy Head of College

Feedback to Parents in the Senior School: Student-Parent-Teacher Nights & Reporting

Following an extensive review in 2023, we are changing the way we provide feedback to parents/carers in the Senior School this year.

The primary purpose of academic reports is to provide formal feedback on academic achievement and progress. However, the writing and proofing of free-form subject comments in Years 7-10 is an incredibly time consuming and onerous task for teaching staff; and yet there is a lack of research anywhere in the world that links the benefits of free-form written subject comments with improved student outcomes. It is also the case that the process of generating these reports takes many weeks, so that by the time that parents/carers receive the reports, the comments may be out of date. These written reports follow periods of significant examination marking for staff and so this process adversely impacts staff wellbeing.

From this year, subject comments in Years 7-10 will be in the form of selected learning outcome statements that are specific to each subject. This will significantly streamline the reporting process and improve the timeliness of the reports. Both the Learning Profile statements and academic achievement data for each subject report will be retained.

We are also introducing a student written comment to the reports. This gives vital student agency to reporting by promoting active and authentic reflection on the learning process. This also brings the Senior School into line with Junior School reporting practices. There will be an additional wellbeing comment from the Head of House that will set the report in the context of the student’s journey through the school, to supplement the existing one from the Mentor.

Aside from the above additions, subject reports in Years 11 and 12 will remain unchanged.

Whilst many families enjoyed the convenience of online SPTNs during the pandemic, in 2023 increasing numbers of parents/carers expressed frustration about feeling disconnected from the school and their child’s teachers. For this reason, we are reintroducing face-to-face Student-Parent-Teacher Nights (SPTN) for all year groups for Semester 1 2024.

Following the Semester 1 report, we have also introduced a second, online SPTN for Years 7-9 in Term 3, to ensure parents/carers receive timely, effective and meaningful feedback from teachers in the second half of the year. As in previous years, Year 10 parents/carers will have an online consult with their child, their Head of House and a senior member of staff to discuss HSC subject choices in Term 3, following the Semester 1 report.

Semester 1 in-person SPTNs:

Year 11: Monday 11 March

Year 7: Monday 18 March

Year 10: Monday 6 May

Year 9: Monday 13 May

Year 8: Monday 27 May

A summary of the changes is below:

• Free-form written subject comments will be replaced with learning outcome statements for Years 7-10 end of semester reports.
• The learning outcome statements for Years 7-10 will be divided into ‘Areas of Strength’ and ‘Areas for Development’.
• All year groups reports will have a student written reflection and an additional wellbeing comment from the Head of House.
• All year groups will have an in-person SPTN in Semester 1.
• Year 7-9 will have an additional, second SPTN in Term 3 (online).

Parent Code of Conduct

In 2023, the College undertook to develop a Parent Code of Conduct, to uphold everyone’s right to a safe and respectful learning and working environment at the College. Key to achieving this is the existence of an understanding, empathetic and caring College community that supports the College, its vision, and values. Parents, carers and others with parental responsibilities form an intrinsic part of our community. A positive and co-operative partnership between parents and the school is fundamental to student achievement and progress. The code has been developed to ensure parents are aware of and meet the College’s expectations regarding their interactions with staff, students, and other members of the College community, including the Board of Governors and Old Oxleyans. We have similar codes of conduct for all staff, including contractors and volunteers, and students. Adhering to the code is important for the safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and members of the College community, whilst also helping to foster a positive and respectful culture.

The Parent Code of Conduct can be found on the College website, under “Parent Documents”.

Also under this section of the website are policies and procedures relating to our Child Safety program, as well as our Student Discipline Policy and Procedures and other important policies.

Yours sincerely

Mr Mark Case
Deputy Head College