As Semester 1 draws to a close, families of students from Kindergarten to Year 10 will soon receive their semester reports. Reports for our Year 11 and Year 12 students were distributed earlier this term to align with the timing of Preliminary and HSC courses.

A semester report provides an important summary of each student’s learning, growth and achievement. While it offers a valuable snapshot of progress, it represents the culmination of many learning experiences throughout the semester rather than a collection of individual assessment results.

Across all year groups, our teachers gather evidence of learning in many different ways. Classroom discussions, observations, practical activities, performances, quizzes, investigations, projects and formal assessment tasks all contribute to building a picture of what each student knows, understands and can do. Teachers use this broad range of evidence to make informed professional judgements about each student’s achievement against the expected learning standards for their year level.

Families with students in Years 7 to 10 will notice two important changes in this semester’s reports.

The first is that formal assessment tasks are now reported using grades rather than marks.

Assessment tasks continue to be marked using clear marking criteria, with marks awarded according to the standard of achievement demonstrated. Even in subjects such as Mathematics, where many questions have a single correct answer, teachers still consider which learning outcomes each question assesses and the standard at which those outcomes have been demonstrated. These judgements are made using NESA’s Common Grade Scale.

Reporting grades rather than marks shifts the focus from simply asking, “How many marks did my child receive?” to the more meaningful question, “What standard of learning has my child demonstrated?” It provides families with a clearer understanding of their child’s level of achievement in relation to the course outcomes.

The second change is that formal assessment tasks no longer carry weightings. This reflects an important principle of our approach to assessment. Learning outcomes are equally important, and no single outcome should be considered more valuable than another. Similarly, no single assessment task should disproportionately determine a student’s overall achievement. Instead, each task contributes valuable evidence of learning that is considered alongside evidence gathered through everyday classroom learning.

For this reason, a semester grade is not calculated by averaging assessment results. Teachers consider the full range of evidence collected throughout the semester and use their professional judgement to determine the grade that best represents the student’s consistent level of achievement across the course outcomes. This provides a more accurate picture of learning than a mathematical average of assessment marks.

As you read your child’s report, I encourage you to look beyond the grades themselves. Celebrate the progress they have made, acknowledge their strengths and discuss areas for continued growth. Some of the most valuable conversations are not “What grade did you get?” but rather, “What have you learned?”, “What are you most proud of?” and “What would you like to improve next semester?”

Thank you for your continued partnership throughout Semester 1. We are grateful for the support and encouragement you provide at home and look forward to continuing to work together as we help every student grow academically, socially and spiritually. I wish all of our families a safe, restful and refreshing holiday break.

In today’s always-connected world, helping teenagers develop positive digital habits is more important than ever. From social media use to online gaming and messaging, young people are navigating complex digital environments that can shape their wellbeing, relationships and identity. 

The eSafety Commissioner highlights that good digital habits, such as managing screen time, protecting personal information, thinking critically about online content, what they share online and engaging respectfully with others, are key to keeping young people safe and thriving online. Encouraging regular “screen breaks,” setting healthy boundaries around device use (especially at night), and modelling respectful online behaviour at home are simple but powerful steps families can take. 

Open communication is also essential. Teens are more likely to seek help when they feel supported rather than monitored or judged. Regular conversations about online experiences, both positive and challenging, help build trust and equip young people to make safe, informed decisions. 

To support families with this, Elevate Education who we partner with for study skills is offering a free parent webinar: 

Live Parent Webinar: How to Help Your Child Alleviate Stress 
Wednesday 1st July | 6:30–7:30pm (AEST) 
Click here to register for free 

This session will provide practical strategies to help young people manage stress, much of which can be linked to digital overwhelm, and develop healthier routines. 

I trust that this will be a helpful session for our community. 

I also hope that everyone has a well-earned rest over the school holidays. 

Congratulations to our incredible students and staff on the outstanding success of our Primary production of Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr! Months of hard work, dedication and countless hours behind the scenes resulted in three sold-out performances that showcased the amazing talent, teamwork and commitment of everyone involved. Thank you to everyone who helped make this production such a memorable event. 

This Thursday, students will enjoy our annual STEAM Day, featuring a high-energy Junkyard Beats incursion. Students will participate in an interactive Junk Orchestra, where each group will use a range of percussion instruments to create an exciting rhythm experience together. Stage 1 students are also looking forward to their excursion to the Civic Theatre on Wednesday. 

Due to the forecast wet weather, our Winter Sports House Day has been modified. Students should wear their normal timetabled school uniform, with Houses coming together at the end of the day for chants and fun activities. 

As we finish the term, congratulations to all our students on their hard work and achievements. We pray everyone has a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break. 

What an incredible week it has been as our Primary students brought Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr! to life on stage!

From the opening scene to the final curtain call, audiences were captivated by the energy, confidence and talent of our young performers. Every song, dance, line and character was delivered with enthusiasm and professionalism, showcasing skills far beyond their years. It was a wonderful celebration of the creativity, dedication and courage of our students, who embraced every opportunity to shine on stage.

The production was only possible because of the extraordinary commitment of so many staff, volunteers and families who worked tirelessly behind the scenes over many months. A special thank you goes to Rachel Drummond, our Director, whose vision, leadership and countless hours of rehearsal brought the entire production together, and to Elyse Denham, our Musical Director, who expertly prepared every student vocally and inspired them to perform with confidence and joy. We are also incredibly grateful to the many staff members who gave generously of their time through rehearsals, costume preparation, props, staging, make-up, sound, lighting, front of house and backstage support. This production was a true team effort, and we are deeply thankful for everyone’s contribution.

We were delighted to welcome both Philip Donato MP, our local State Member, and Mayor Tony Mileto to the Friday and Saturday evening performances. Both shared their praise following the show, recognising the outstanding efforts of our students and school community.

Mayor Tony Mileto described the performance as:

From the very first scene to the final curtain call, the performances were outstanding and a credit to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

He also commented that:

Our community should be incredibly proud of these young performers and the memorable show they delivered.

Philip Donato MP likewise commented:

An outstanding performance of Madagascar A Musical Adventure Jr by the primary school students of Orange Christian School.

Congratulations to all the performers, staff and everyone involved on the success of the production.

As you read through this edition of the newsletter, you’ll enjoy a selection of photographs from the show including shots from Thursday night’s performance, beautifully captured by Dave Brodie from Studio Windmill. We hope these images provide a glimpse into the joy, excitement and remarkable talent displayed throughout the production.

For families who would like to relive the experience, a professional video recording of the performance will be available for purchase next term. Please keep an eye on school communications for ordering information.

Congratulations once again to every student who took part in Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr!. You have made our school community incredibly proud. It was a production that will be remembered for many years to come.