Our Semester reports are published twice a year. Teachers spend much time analysing all the data from assessments and observations to create these reports in order to show each student’s academic progress. Comments are also written and marks for effort given in each Learning Area. This is always a challenging process as we think carefully through what we value at Rehoboth.
As parents, we need to ask ourselves, is it just the grades that we are interest in? Or is there something that is more important? Are our children defined by their academic grades or is there perhaps something more meaningful that we can learn about our children in the light of their Semester reports?
During the time that my own children were at school and I regularly read through their reports, I always turned to the last comment first! This would be where I could read about what I really wanted to know – had they been respectful to their teachers, had they listened well, did they do their best and were they getting along well with their classmates?
Then I would look for indications of growth in their faith journey: did they do well in Bible classes, did they join in during times of Praise and Worship, did they contribute to discussions about God and the Bible and were they comfortable praying in class?
Lastly, I would carefully check their mark for “Effort” in each learning area!
These were the things that I valued far more than their academic results. Of course, I wanted each of our four children as they went through their schooling at Rehoboth to do their best and achieve the grades of which they were capable, whatever these may have been. But more than that, I wanted our children to understand that they belong to God, that they live in His world and that He has given each of them giftings and abilities to use for His glory. This is what we continue to desire for the students in our care – an understanding that God has a path for them and that He is leading them. We pray that they will trust God and follow Him as they go out into the world, not only after they leave school, but also during this season of their lives.
So, what will you look for as you read your child’s report – what is it that you value?
