Learning at SCA

Assessment and Reporting at St Clare of Assisi

At St Clare of Assisi Primary School, assessment is about more than grades; it is about understanding how each child is progressing, celebrating their achievements, and identifying the next steps in their learning. We work in partnership with families to ensure every student is supported, challenged, and recognised for their growth.

How We Assess Learning

Assessment is part of everyday teaching. Teachers gather information about what students know, understand, and can do, and then use this to guide their planning.

We use a variety of approaches to make sure we capture the full picture of each child’s progress:

• Diagnostic assessment – before new learning begins, teachers check what students already know so lessons can be pitched at the right level.
• Formative assessment – during lessons, teachers use “checks for understanding,” observations, quizzes, and progress monitoring to give timely feedback and adjust teaching.
• Summative assessment – at the end of a unit or term, students demonstrate what they have learned through topic tests, writing samples, reading tasks, or standardised assessments.

Teachers work together to moderate results across year levels, ensuring assessment is fair, consistent, and reliable. This professional collaboration means parents can trust that reports are accurate reflections of their child’s learning.

Feedback that Supports Growth

Effective feedback is central to learning at St Clare of Assisi. Teachers give feedback that is:

• specific – focusing on what has been achieved and what can be improved
• timely – provided during lessons or soon after
• constructive – helping students see the next steps in their learning

Strong relationships between teachers and students ensure that feedback is encouraging, supportive, and designed to help every child move forward.

Formal Assessments and Data Collection

As part of Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG), our school participates in the system’s assessment schedule. This includes national and system-wide assessments such as:

• NAPLAN (Years 3 and 5)
• PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests in literacy and numeracy)
• DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
• Year 1 Phonics and Numeracy Screeners

These assessments provide valuable information to guide teaching and to track growth across the school.

Reporting to Families

Reporting is an important way we share your child’s progress. It provides clear, accurate information about academic achievement, personal development, and social growth.

Our reporting schedule includes:

• Term 1 – Open Classrooms: an opportunity for parents to meet teachers, share goals, and discuss how we can best support each child.
• Term 2 – Semester One Reports (Week 9), followed by Parent–Teacher Interviews (Week 10, compulsory).
• Term 3 – Open Classrooms: parents see learning in action and celebrate achievements.
• Term 4 – Semester Two Reports (Week 10), followed by optional Parent–Teacher Interviews.

Formal reports are issued twice a year through Compass. Students in Years 1–6 receive A–E grades, while Kindergarten students are reported against a four-point scale. Adjustments are available for students with personalised learning plans or English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D), with parents involved in deciding the best format for their child’s report.

Our Commitment

At St Clare of Assisi, assessment and reporting are more than processes — they are opportunities to:

• celebrate student learning
• identify strengths and areas for growth
• strengthen the partnership between school and families
• ensure accountability and high standards in teaching and learning

We believe every child’s progress should be recognised with fairness, transparency, and care. By working together, we can help each child reach their full potential and continue to “Be the Light” in their learning journey.

Curriculum and Learning at St Clare of Assisi

At St Clare of Assisi Primary School, every child is known, valued and supported to thrive. Our curriculum is knowledge-rich, carefully structured, and designed so that students build strong foundations in learning while also growing in confidence, creativity and faith.

We follow the Australian Curriculum and Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) guidelines, but what makes us distinctive is the way we teach: with clarity, care and high expectations, so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

How We Teach

Our approach is grounded in the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading. This means:

• lessons are explicit, clear and purposeful
• students are actively engaged every minute — whether discussing with a partner, reading aloud, writing, or responding to a question
• teachers use daily review so children remember and apply what they’ve learned
• feedback and checks for understanding guide when to move forward or revisit a concept

Teachers use strategies like “read with me”, “pair-share”, and “attention signals” to keep learning interactive and inclusive. We also use the TAPPLE process (Teach, Ask, Pair-share, Pick a non-volunteer, Listen, Effective feedback) to ensure no student is left behind.

Every staff member receives professional learning and ongoing coaching in these high-impact practices, ensuring consistency across the school.

What Students Learn

Children at St Clare of Assisi engage with the full breadth of the curriculum:

• Religious Education – nurturing faith and values
• English – literacy, reading, writing and communication skills
• Mathematics – number sense, problem-solving, reasoning
• Science and Technology – curiosity, investigation and design
• Humanities and Social Sciences – history, geography, culture and society
• The Arts – creativity in music, drama, dance, visual arts and media arts
• Health and Physical Education – wellbeing, movement and personal growth

We also embed the cross-curriculum priorities and capabilities, such as digital literacy, critical and creative thinking, intercultural understanding, and sustainability. These help our students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

A Day in Our Classrooms

Our school day is deliberately structured to prioritise the essentials:

• 8:50 – 10:50 English block
• 11:20 – 1:20 Mathematics and Religious Education
• 2:00 – 3:00 other curriculum areas

This rhythm gives children focus, balance and routine while ensuring that literacy and numeracy remain at the heart of learning.

Supporting Every Learner

No two children are the same. Teachers plan with care, making adjustments for students who need extra support or extension. Personalised Plans are integrated into classroom programs so that every child is included and every learner is challenged at their level.

Teachers Who Keep Growing

At St Clare of Assisi, our teachers are learners too. We use Steplab, a professional coaching platform that helps staff reflect, refine and grow their practice. With access to expert models, real-time feedback and practical strategies, our teachers continually improve their craft.

Our leadership team also supports staff through regular program reviews, collaboration and professional dialogue, ensuring that what happens in classrooms is consistent, evidence-based and effective.

Learning with Heart

Ultimately, our curriculum is not just about what children know, but who they become. We want our students to leave St Clare of Assisi as capable readers, confident problem-solvers, caring friends and active citizens.

With a blend of faith, knowledge and high-quality teaching, we help each child to grow into the best version of themselves and to truly “Be the Light” in our world.