All the students will sit the NWEA MAP test next week.  We are often asked what the RIT results mean.

To summarize: 

The RIT scale is a measurement tool based on Item Response Theory.  It’s divided into equal parts, similar to centimeters on a ruler, to measure a student’s academic growth over time.  Each subject area has its unique RIT scale. The difficulty of test questions and the achievement level of students are both placed on the RIT scales.  A higher RIT score represents a student’s ability to perform more complex skills and understand more difficult concepts.

If a student has a particular RIT score, they are about 50% likely to correctly answer an item calibrated at that RIT level. Topics at this RIT level are likely to be topics the student is ready to learn.  A student’s score on any MAP Growth test is a function of both the proportion of questions answered correctly and the difficulty of the questions asked.

A valid RIT score is considered to be between 100 to 350, depending on the subject.  The overall difficulty of each test question is determined by three dimensions: cognitive demand of the task, reading and text level difficulty, and presentation.

This scale allows teachers to track student progress and identify areas of strength and improvement. It is a valuable tool in personalized learning and instruction and a very important tool in the OSG Toolkit, to improve student academic performance. 

It is very important that students are well rested on the days they come to school to sit their MAP assessments.  They should also know, and be reminded by parents and staff, that this is a very important assessment and that they should put maximum effort into their work.

DATE

Tuesday 26th March  - We are very much looking foward to welcoming parents, elder siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents to our Athletics Day.

Please note this is a different date to the NZ School Calendar due to availability of the venue.

WHERE 

Saxton Athletic Track  click here for google map link

START TIME

9am start (welcome and warm up). Reminder this is a compulsory school day attendance for students.

NELSON STUDENTS: need to arrive direct to the track by 8:40am, dropped off at the Southern/Richmond end of the pavilion where they will have their attendance marked.

BLENHEIM/WEST COAST STUDENTS: need to arrive direct to the track by 8:55am, dropped off at the Southern/Richmond end of the pavilion where they will have their attendance marked.

FINISH TIME

3PM finish

EVENT SUPPORT

As with previous years we cannot run this event practically, nor safely without the wonderful support of many volunteer helpers. This year we hope to boast the largest number of volunteers signed up. Across the day we need help with collecting and maintaining the equipment, recording results, lining up students, moving students between activities – something for everyone to help with. Check your calendar and click the link HERE to sign up. 

Volunteering will give you access inside the track fencing to get the best view of the children performing, as well as help earn your families House some well needed house points. If you are extended family check with your current students what House they are affiliated to, most families are grouped together.

SPECTATORS

If you are unable to commit to help with an event this year we welcome you to come and watch for the parts of the day you're available.  The students are keen to ensure plenty of spectators come down to cheer everybody on and contribute to a great atmosphere. We encourage all spectators to dress in their families’ House colour to make Saxton a sea of Red, Yellow and Green.

SAFETY

Please do remember only competitors, staff and event volunteers are able to come INSIDE the track fence. Any spectators, and younger children must stay outside the track fencing. This is a requirement of our safety operating procedure for the day and ensures no disruption to the competitors during their events

STUDENT PREPARATION

Student are working on their skills and technique for Athletics in their PE Lessons, you can support them in doing extra training at home – there are resources on the PE Canvas page.

On the day of the event ALL students are expected to be present, be correctly dressed in their coloured House shirt with their OSG PE kit (no other sports wear is allowed, please ensure your child/children have the correct gear, that fits well for this event). OSG hats are compulsory.  No mobile phones or smart watches are permitted for students.

Keeping hydrated and well fuelled on the day is vital, however, this should NOT include any energy drinks.  Please do not provide these for them, a water bottle is all they need and can be refilled at the track.