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Updated November 20268 min readWriting comments

Anatomy of an NZ Report Comment: One Example, Line by Line

An NZ comment has to show achievement and progress in words whānau understand. We take a Year 5 writing comment apart to show how.

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NZ reports must tell whānau, in plain language, how their child is progressing and achieving. That means a good comment has two halves: where the ākonga is now, and how far they've come. Here is a Year 5 writing comment, taken apart.

Tama is working at the expected curriculum level for his year in writing. Since the start of the year he has moved from writing a few simple sentences to planning and writing a full page, using paragraphs for different ideas. His recount of our trip to the marae was lively and well organised. Tama's next step is to use a wider range of words to make his writing more interesting. Reading together and talking about favourite words will help.

1. Where the ākonga is

Achievement

“working at the expected curriculum level for his year”

One plain sentence answers the question every whānau has first. If your kura uses levels or progress descriptors on the report, keep the comment consistent with them.

2. Progress over time

Progress

“moved from writing a few simple sentences to planning and writing a full page”

This is the half many reports forget. Describing the shift since the last report shows growth, which matters just as much for a child who is still working towards the expected level.

3. Evidence whānau recognise

Evidence

“His recount of our trip to the marae”

A piece of work the family heard about at home makes the comment unmistakably about their child.

4. One next step

Next step

“use a wider range of words”

Kept to one clear goal, in everyday words. No curriculum codes, no jargon.

5. How whānau can help

Home link

“Reading together and talking about favourite words”

A simple, warm suggestion invites families into the learning, which is the point of reporting in the first place.

When a child is working towards the expected level

Lead with what they can do, then describe progress honestly, then the next step and the support in place. Avoid comparisons with other children. Whānau should finish the comment knowing where their child is and that the school has a plan.

For fill-in examples at each NZC level, see our NZ report comment templates.

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