“What Are They Learning?” – Reporting

You will be receiving the last of the Timely Comments as the year draws to a close.  Tamariki will have a comment for literacy (reading and writing), maths and ako (which is about their strengths, an area of focus, something to highlight).  There will be comments for each of these from the first half of the year, and the second half of the year.

At the end of the year, you will receive information on where they are working within the Curriculum Phases.  This will look the same as it did at mid-year.  All of this information forms the school report. You can download and print this from HERO if you want to.  Tamariki love to see the comments you have written too. 

We report twice a year on reading, writing, maths, ako, and where your tamariki are working (curriculum phases). We’ve had a few questions recently about how assessment works at LBS, which is perfect timing, as your child’s latest assessment information was shared on HERO yesterday.

At our kura, kaiako use a mix of summative and formative assessments to understand where each child is at and what they need next.  Assessments measure progress as well as achievement. 

Summative Assessments

These are more formal checks that give us a snapshot of achievement at a point in time.  They may include:

• Ministry-provided assessments for reading, writing and maths (we use easTTle) 

• Phonics checks

• Basic facts and spelling assessments
  
  

Formative Assessments

These help us see how tamariki are learning in the moment and over time. Kaiako gather this through:

• Observations and conversations

• Running Records for reading

• GloSS or JAM in maths

• Questioning, class discussions, and rubrics

• Daily learning tasks and classroom mahi

Bringing it all together

All of this information is triangulated — meaning we look at a range of evidence to make a clear, accurate judgement. Our summative assessments in reading, writing, and maths are also moderated across the school, so teachers work together to ensure our expectations are consistent from class to class.

Kaiako then use this combined information to:
✔ plan targeted and responsive learning
✔ support each child’s progress
✔ communicate clearly with whānau about where their tamariki are at and what they’re working on

Whānau receive a report on reading, writing (literacy) and maths twice a year.  These are timely and fit in with the learning for your tamaiti.

If you have any pātai after looking at your child’s HERO report, please feel welcome to contact their kaiako.

Here is a link to more information about assessment:  Assessment MoE

Below is the 2025 Progress Descriptors, so you can understand where your tamaiti is at.  These are also on the HERO report that you will recieve next Monday.

Waihangatia ngā Ākonga Tino Pai Building the Best Learners

If you have any questions, please ask kaiako, they know your tamaiti's learning best. 

Health, Safety and Attendance

Regular school attendance is important to your child’s success and there is a clear connection between going to school regularly and doing well in the classroom.  Making sure students attend and engage in learning is a shared responsibility.  As a parent or caregiver, you are responsible for making sure your child attends school every day.

If your child is going to be absent for any reason, it is essential that you let us know as soon as possible.  It is important that you phone us/send us an email/message us on HERO to confirm your child’s absence and provide us with the reason.

We acknowledge that there are genuine reasons students may occasionally be absent.  However, without regular attendance, your child will struggle to make progress.  If your child is absent regularly or for extended periods, we will reach out to you to discuss the situation.  We are committed to supporting your child in attending school.  If you’re having difficulty getting your child to school, you can ask for support by:

• speaking with your child’s teacher,

• sending us a message on HERO, 

• calling us on 04 9399112 and ask to speak to Melanie, or

• email principal@lyallbay.school.nz

We can work with you to develop a support plan that addresses any barriers to regular attendance.

More information on attendance, including your rights and responsibilities as parents or caregivers, is available on the Ministry of Education’s webpage:  Attendance.

Board update

The Board are keen to hear from you.  This is a link to a survey Lyall Bay School - Whānau survey  – Fill out form so the board can hear your perspectives.  This survey is due to close at the end of the week, so if you want your voice heard, add it here. 

November Meeting

The board gathered for the November meeting.  All board members were present, with one phoning in. 

The current policies under review were passed.  If you want to look at any policies, go to schooldocs.co.nz , click Search for your school, type in Lyall Bay School, user name is lyallbay, and the password is maranui. 

The board decided to move the Health Consultation to 2026 and design it around Te Whare Tapa Whā.  This survey will be shared in the middle of term 1 for your feedback. 

The board have sent a letter to Erica Stanford in reference to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  This confirmed our commitment to continue to honour Te Tiriti.

Assurances were presented to the board that the school complies with the requirements of the current items, that relevant policies and procedures are up to date, and that the appropriate actions have been taken.  These can be found on SchoolDocs. 

The draft budget for 2026 was presented and approved.

The board read a document about Play Pedagogy to understand this at a higher level. 

Rebecca Blaikie and Anna Bray Sharpin joined the board meeting to highlight the role of FoLBS (Friends of Lyall Bay School).  They were given speaking rights and expressed a commitment to building and strengthening the relationship between FoLBS and the board. 

Target Learners were the focus of data for this meeting.  The board read about how target learners are part of the learning programme and the adaptive practices that the kaiako put in place to support progression for these tamariki. 

It was agreed that the board would continue with the current strategic plan, using the first term of 2026 to develop the next plan, in line with Matariki. 

The board suggested that, along with the survey, they offer to meet parents on the field at 3.00pm or at the Botanist in the early evening, so whānau could meet them. 

The Risk Register was shared and was deferred until the first meeting of 2026.

A proposal for a lighting scheme was presented.  The board decided to go back to the company for more information.

The principal's report was taken as read.  Discussion regarding additional funding for property meant that a subcommittee was formed of Dan, Tim and Melanie.  The roll was discussed, Melanie will bring information regarding rolls from other Eastern Suburb Schools to the first board meeting of the year, as the board wish to see the data. 

The next board meeting will be held on 16th February.  You are welcome to come along to any meeting. 

We wish you all a wonderful summer and look forward to returning to school on February 2nd for more learning and good times.

Mere Kirihimete

Lyall Bay School Staff