K-2 National Quality Standard (NQS) Verification
On Thursday 31 July this term, our school hosted an NQS verification visit from Department of Education verifiers Debbie Martin and Linda Starbuck. The purpose of the visit was to consider and validate our school’s self-assessment of how we were performing against the seven teaching and learning standards in our Early Years programs. These areas being;
- Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice
- Quality Area 2: Children’s health and safety
- Quality Area 3: Physical environment
- Quality Area 4: Staffing arrangements
- Quality Area 5: Relationships with children
- Quality Area 6: Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
- Quality Area 7: Governance and leadership
I am pleased to announce that the verification team strongly endorsed our assessment that we are meeting all seven National Quality Standards. This amazing result is a fitting tribute to the work, skill and commitment of our Early Years teachers and classroom staff. It also reflects the two-way learning processes between students and staff which shape our relentless improvement processes.
I acknowledge the enormous efforts and contribution of our teachers Talya Everett, Karen Cooper, Tegan Cardy and particularly the leadership of Naomi Braine in actioning our self-assessment process, as well as, for the hosting the visit. Additionally, the guidance and support of our Primary Phase leader and Deputy Alison Hunt played an important role in securing this result, a result well worth celebrating.
One of the teams’ endorsements in Quality Area, states:
“The learning programs at Kenwick School are intentional, purposeful and differentiated to provide appropriate and achievable learning challenges. Educators are responsive to the needs of the children, they intentionally scaffold learning and development to build on their successes. Children are encouraged to express their agency and choices through a wide range of communication supports suited to each child’s needs, including augmentative and alternative (ACC) communication devices, visual cues, Key Word and Auslan signing and ‘Chat Mats.’”
The full Verification Report, which also contains several recommendations of how to do even better, can be found below and I would invite you to take the time to read it.
Kenwick School NQS Report 2025
Take Care
Mark
