When I was seventeen, I took my driving test. I failed (for driving too close to parked vehicles). A few months later, I took it again, but this time I passed. On another occasion, when I lived in Sudan, I had a blood test to see if I had malaria. The test was negative. That is the thing about tests, there is a definite result – pass or fail, positive or negative.
We sometimes refer to the assessments that the children do at this time of year as tests, but they are so much more.
The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘assess’ as to:
‘Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of’
Our assessments begin as soon as a child enters the school. At the beginning of the year our teachers are looking to see what the children know and understand based on how they complete their work in class and what they say about their learning, and then plan specific learning based on these evaluations. Each child in a class will be given different tasks and different levels of support depending on what they need. We call this ‘personalised learning’.
At key times in the year, we have focused assessment weeks where teachers provide the children with assessments tasks. Again the results of these assessments will identify the areas where a child has a strong understanding of a concept and those where the child will need to focus on next. In our assessments, there are no passes or fails. It is all about helping the teachers to target the next areas of learning for each individual.
Information from the assessments carried out this week will help inform the forthcoming ‘End of Year Reports’ which will be emailed to parents on Friday 21st June.
F3: Talk 4 Writing
Becoming hooked on learning goes a long way towards success. Our teachers will design creative and innovative ways to get the children’s imaginations flowing. For Talk 4 Writing this week in F3, the children began learning the text, ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’ by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. If you have not read this fantastically filled text, then I sincerely recommend it. As you read the story, you will meet a variety of characters from other rhymes and stories – it’s a great read!
Well, the F3 teachers really did ensure all children were ready and excited to learn about their new Talk 4 Writing text. Find out what they did in the link below.
Story time in F3
Language in Focus: Danish
Ms Andi and Ms Michelle introduced the children to the new language in focus this week; Danish. There will be a post with more details next week, but if you would like to find out more, please click on the link below:
https://bislanguageinfocus.blogspot.com/p/danish.html
Roadworks Outside the Early Years and Infant Campus
As we are all aware, Thao Dien is presently undergoing some major roadworks which are now close to the main entrance of the EY&IC. As a school, we have tried very hard to communicate with the construction company to delay any work close to the school until the summer holidays. However, the work needs to be completed within a particular timescale and will carry on. I would ask for everybody’s patience and understanding whilst this work is ongoing. Hopefully, it will benefit everyone in District 2 in the future.
Anthony Rowlands
Managing our Traffic Together
Just prior to the holiday, I was contacted by a member of our local community asking about what was being done about the traffic situation in Thao Dien. I met with the gentleman in question and showed him the procedures we have in place and how the school has invested in measures to help ensure the traffic keeps flowing, for example, creating the car park next to the Early Years and Infant Campus.
He was impressed with all that we have done. Thank you to everyone who has worked with their drivers to ensure that the code of conduct is followed. Unfortunately, there are still some drivers who insist on double parking near school and doing U-turns close to the drop-off area. Please speak to your drivers to remind them of what is expected.
Thank you – together we can make a difference.
For more information about how we can work together to improve traffic around our campuses, please access this post.