Head of Junior School
There’s a white melamine cupboard in our garage with strange markings on one door. Names, dates and pencil lines work their way up the surface and disappear off the top. I wonder if these records are found in other homes across the country, or indeed around the world?
They are of course a measurement of growth – of our children over time. There were periods of relatively slow growth then the huge ‘growth spurts’ where one overtook another. They have all reached their adult height now and growth is measured in other ways.
The national assessment program NAPLAN has been part of the educational landscape this week and its aim is to measure academic achievement and student growth in literacy and numeracy. The data is useful for our analysts to see how we are tracking in various areas, and there is some value in the snapshot given for that assessment on that day.
There are many ways to measure growth. Marks on a door for height, tests on an computer to measure academics, and the experience in relationships of character and behaviour. Our College recognises that growth is for the whole child, and the formative years of primary school require a support team, cheer squad, coach and trainer of family and school to give the opportunity for each student in our care.
