Assessment & Reporting Policy

How St Mary's College assesses student learning and reports to families: Junior School semester reports, Senior School continuous reporting on the Learning Hub, exams, VCE requirements and parent conferences.

Updated 20 August 2026

Assessment at St Mary's College helps every student know where they are in their learning and what their next steps are. Reporting keeps parents and carers informed in a timely, honest and constructive way.

Purpose

This policy describes how student learning is assessed from Prep to Year 12, how and when achievement is reported to families, and the arrangements for exams, extensions and VCE assessment.

Scope

The policy applies to all students, parents and carers, and teaching staff of the Junior School (Prep–Year 6) and Senior School (Years 7–12). VCE assessment is also governed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) rules summarised in the VCE Handbook.

Policy statement

The College balances formative assessment (feedback during learning) with summative assessment (judgements about achievement) aligned to the Victorian Curriculum F–10 and VCE study designs. Assessment is fair and accessible, with reasonable adjustments for students with additional needs. Reports describe achievement against curriculum standards rather than ranking students, and always comment on effort and learning behaviours.

Procedures

Junior School (Prep–Year 6)

Written reports are published on the Parent Portal twice a year: at the end of Term 2 (Friday 26 June 2026) and at the end of Term 4 (Wednesday 16 December 2026).
Reports show achievement against Victorian Curriculum standards on a five-point scale, plus effort and learning behaviours and a teacher comment.
Parent-Teacher-Student conferences are held in Term 1 (a "getting to know you" meeting) and Term 3. Year 5 and 6 conferences are on Thursday 27 August 2026, 3:45–7:30pm; other Junior year levels are scheduled across Weeks 6–8 of Term 3. Bookings are made via the Parent Portal.
NAPLAN is completed by Years 3 and 5 in March each year; results are sent home in Term 3.

Senior School (Years 7–12)

Every assessment task is listed on the Learning Hub assessment calendar at least two weeks before it is due.
Continuous reporting: marked tasks, rubrics and feedback are published on the Learning Hub within 10 school days of submission; parents receive a Portal notification.
Semester reports are published in June and December, summarising achievement, effort and learning behaviours in each subject.
Exams: Year 11 exams run Monday 7 – Friday 11 September 2026; Year 12 practice exams run Tuesday 25 – Friday 28 August 2026; Years 7–10 exams run Monday 30 November – Friday 4 December 2026. Timetables are on the exam timetables page.
NAPLAN is completed by Years 7 and 9 in March.

Extensions, absence and special provision

Extensions are requested through the Application for Extension form on the Learning Hub at least 2 school days before the due date; illness requires a medical certificate.
A student absent for a SAC, test or exam must have the absence explained by a parent that day and provide a medical certificate; the subject teacher reschedules the task.
Students with a diagnosed condition may apply for Special Provision (extra time, rest breaks, use of a computer) through the VCE Coordinator, Mrs Jenny Marsh, or the Learning Diversity Leader, Mr Sam Devlin.

VCE assessment

School-Assessed Coursework (SACs) and Tasks follow VCAA authentication rules: students complete work honestly, acknowledge sources and use no unauthorised assistance, including AI tools unless expressly permitted.
A student who receives an N for an outcome may be offered one opportunity to redeem it to an S; scores are not changed on redemption.

Responsibilities

Parents and carers

Read reports and Learning Hub feedback with your child and book conferences via the Portal.
Notify absences on assessment days by 9:00am and provide medical certificates where required.

Students

Check the Learning Hub daily and plan ahead for assessment deadlines.
Submit their own work, acknowledge sources and seek help before due dates.

Staff

Provide clear task sheets and rubrics, return feedback within 10 school days and moderate within faculties.
Write honest, specific reports and inform parents of any significant change in progress.

Review

Policy owner: Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching. Approved by the College Leadership Team April 2026; ratified by the College Advisory Council; next review April 2028.

Frequently asked questions

When will I see my child's report?

Junior reports are published on the Parent Portal on Friday 26 June 2026 and Wednesday 16 December 2026. Senior semester reports are published in the last week of June and on Wednesday 16 December 2026. Senior families also see results throughout the semester on the Learning Hub.

What does the five-point scale mean on a Junior report?

Each learning area is reported against the Victorian Curriculum standard for the year level: well above, above, at, below or well below the expected level. "At" means your child is achieving exactly what is expected at this point of the year, which is a good result.

My child was sick for a SAC. What happens?

Ring the absentee line on (03) 9555 0111 or use the Portal before 9:00am, and obtain a medical certificate. The subject teacher will arrange an alternative time, usually within a week of the student's return.

How do I book a Parent-Teacher-Student conference?

Bookings open on the Parent Portal about ten days before the conference date. For the Year 5 and 6 conferences on Thursday 27 August 2026, bookings opened Monday 17 August and close Wednesday 26 August at 12:00pm.

Who do I talk to about a concern with an assessment result?

Start with the subject or class teacher. If the matter is not resolved, contact the Year Level Coordinator, then the Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching, Mr David Okafor. VCE matters can also be raised with the VCE Coordinator, Mrs Jenny Marsh.