Reporting on Learning at Ararira – Term 2 Update

by | May 27, 2026 | Community, Curriculum, Parent Information | 0 comments

The Ministry of Education has refreshed the curriculum and updated how schools report on student progress. As previously mentioned by the MOE, the benchmark for achievement has increased with the new curriculum. You may see a change in your child’s progress or achievement compared to previous years because of this.

At Ararira Springs Primary, our staff have been undergoing professional development and have been busy implementing new curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements in 2026. You will see some changes in your child’s mid-year report, including how we now report progress to you.

What is Changing?

  • Year-by-Year Learning: The new curriculum outlines learning objectives within a defined year-by-year format, establishing specific achievement expectations for each year level. This is a shift from the previous model, which tailored learning to each child’s personal progress and starting point.
  • New Progress Descriptors: The Ministry has replaced broad curriculum bands with five specific progress stages: Emerging, Developing, Consolidating, Proficient, and Exceeding. These are the specific terms we are now directed to use to assess your child’s journey. You will find these in your child’s mid-year report.
  • Increased expectations for achievement: The new curriculum significantly raises the expectations for achievement at each year level. The Ministry of Education has lifted the floor, meaning the milestones for being “Proficient” or at the expected level are higher than previously. 
  • Standardised Assessment Tools: In line with national requirements, students in Years 3–8 must now be assessed twice yearly using one of 3 assessment tools. This is inline with our current assessment practices. We now also complete 20- and 40- week Phonics Checks.

The New Progress Descriptors

Each student will be assigned a progress descriptor at mid-year. These descriptors tell you, as whānau, if your child is on track to meet the curriculum expectations at their current year level. The goal by the end of any given school year is for a student to reach “Proficient” or “Exceeding,” which signals they have firmly mastered the foundation required to confidently take on the next year’s curriculum.

Progress descriptor Descriptions
Emerging

Students require support to meet curriculum expectations for their year level and/or goals as described in their personalised learning plan.

 Your child:

  • is beginning to understand some learning ideas for their year level with a lot of support
  • can sometimes use knowledge they’ve learned, but usually needs help to do so
  • is making some progress in ways that are meaningful and aligned to their strengths and needs, with significant support.
Developing

Students are making some progress towards curriculum expectations for their year level.

 Your child:

  • is starting to understand key ideas, often with some support
  • can remember facts and use what they’ve learned in familiar situations, with a bit of help
  • with the right support, your child is making progress towards the expectation for their year level.
Consolidating

Students are meeting many curriculum expectations for their year level and are steadily strengthening their understanding across learning areas.

 Your child:

  • is learning to use helpful techniques on their own to support their learning
  • is getting better at remembering and using what they have learned
  • is starting to use what they know in new and different situations
  • can share their ideas and is beginning to talk about what they would do better.
Proficient

Students are meeting curriculum expectations for their year level.

 Your child:

  • can use helpful learning techniques on their own and knows how to use them well
  • can use what they’ve learned in different situations without help
  • can often use what they know in new situations
  • can share their thoughts clearly and explain their reasoning
  • often share their ideas to build knowledge.
Exceeding

Students are exceeding curriculum expectations for their year level.

 Your child:

  • shows advanced thinking by understanding tricky ideas, solving problems, making connections, and explaining their thinking clearly
  • can link what they’ve learned in 1 area or situation to another
  • can build on their ideas and show a deeper understanding
  • can use what they’ve learned in thoughtful and creative ways to understand more challenging ideas
  • tests and challenges ideas to create deeper knowledge.

How Teachers Choose a Descriptor

Teachers do not just look at a single test. They “triangulate” their final decision by combining formal assessment results with daily classroom observations, spelling/phonics checks, and the work your child produces on a regular day. 

Timing of Reporting in 2026

All students who have been at school for more than six months will receive a report in Week 10 (week of 22 June) and again towards the end of Term 4. Students in Year 0/1 will receive their first report after six months at school, and thereafter at mid- and end-of-year cycles with the rest of the school. 

More Information

We will have another newsletter update for you in Week 8, with more information about the report content. You can find more information about NZ reports by going to the MOE Parent Portal. 

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