R W P & T

REPORT WRITING
AND
PARENT & TEACHER
INTERVIEWS
Rene Cahill
PAS Deputy Principal
Lurnea High School
Rene.cahill@det.nsw.edu.au
KWL ACTIVITY
Already Know??
Want to Know??
Complete on PINK post –it
Complete on BLUE post-it
Is this a typical report in your school?
WORKSHOP
INTENDED OUTCOMES
Report Writing
Greater understanding of:
- Purpose of reports
- Audience we are writing
reports for
- Structure required to write a
comprehensive report for the
intended audience
- Language required
Confidence to write a report that
is comprehensive and speaks the
language the intended audience
will comprehend
Parent & Teacher
Interviews
Greater understanding of:
- Purpose of the interview
- What makes a successful
interview
- The importance of planning
Confidence to hold an interview
that could potentially be difficult
REPORT
WRITING ACTIVITY
Attempt 1:
 Think about a student that you teach
 Write his/her half yearly report comment in your
workbook
PURPOSE
Parents
OF REPORT WRITING?
Students
School
TEACHING & LEARNING CYCLE
WHAT
DO OUR PARENTS ACTUALLY VALUE?
Plain English – no educational jargon
 Information about their child's strengths and areas for
improvement
 What they can do to help
 Comments that complement grades
 Parents want to know what was learnt and how well,
where improvement is needed and what should be
done next

REPORTS &

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Hatties‘top 20’ influences in student achievement
from his list of 100
- Feedback is # 8 with effect size .72
Steve Dinham - How to get your school
Moving and Improving
REPORT
WRITING STRUCTURE
–4
STEPS

1. Clear information on what the student has achieved

2. Suggestions for areas of improvement that the student
should work on next

3. Information on how the school will help the student to
improve

4. Suggestions on how parents can help the student to
improve
REPORT
1.
WRITING STRUCTURE
–
STEP
1
Clear information on what the student has achieved
This section of the report focuses on each students progress on
the basis of assessment evidence gathered by the teacher over a
semester.
-
-
Use your mark book (formal assessment)
Use notes from any informal tasks
Observations made in class when the student is working in
groups
Use observations made about the students bookwork
Homework completed
Your comments will need to reflect PDH and PE
Ensure the words reflect the students ability eg extensive for an
‘A’ ability
REPORT
WRITING STRUCTURE
–
STEP
2
2. Suggestions for areas of improvement that the student
should work on next
This section of the report focuses on future learning to be
addressed in the following reporting period
-
Literacy/Numeracy skills
Bookwork
Homework
Attendance
Work ethic
Contribution to class discussions/group work
Bringing PE uniform
Participation in PE lessons
Behaviour
REPORT
WRITING STRUCTURE
–
STEP
3
3. Information on how the school will help the student to
improve
This section of the report makes recommendations for actions
to be taken by the school to help the students future learning
-
-
This might include what you have already done, for example,
you may have put a seating plan in place
Collect draft assessment work and provide feedback
Set student up with a buddy
Modify student work
Provide homework once a week to develop certain skills
Tutoring services after school (our school has a homework
centre which operates 3 afternoons for free)
REPORT
WRITING STRUCTURE
–
STEP
4
4. Suggestions on how parents can help the student to
improve
This section of the report suggests specific ways in which
parents can support the student, taking account of the
areas for improvement or future learning
-
-
-
Ensure child is packing PE uniform, other equipment
Check homework every Tuesday (you might have a
specific day you give out homework)
Encourage your child to read
Sign up for school based support eg homework centre
REPORT SAMPLE
Read the report on page 4 of your workbook
 Discuss
- What do you like?
- How does it achieve the 4 steps?
- Would you change anything?

________ is a capable student in PD/Health/PE contributing well in class, demonstrating a sound
understanding of course work. Unfortunately this level of knowledge is very rarely reflected in
his assessment tasks including the yearly exam. ________ did attend a study day in the holidays and
did study for the yearly exam but this conscientious attitude needs to be consistent throughout
the year to ensure he is completely prepared and able to show depth of knowledge in all short
and extended response questions. _______ needs to be encouraged to complete all set homework
and follow a regular weekly study program which will assist with the preparation necessary for
exams. He also needs to ensure he takes advantage of submitting draft assessment items for
feedback prior to the assessment task due date.
REPORT SAMPLES
What do you like?
What would you change?
Sample 1 – group 1
Sample 1 – group 1
Sample 2 – group 2
Sample 2 – group 2
Sample 3 – group 3
Sample 3 – group 3
Sample 4 – group 4
Sample 4 – group 4
REPORT
WRITING ACTIVITY
Attempt 2:
 What do you need to change –re-writing this comment
based on what you have learnt today