Whānau Connect

Keeping parents and whānau informed of their child’s progress is important to us.

Online Reports

Our school app, Hero has been designed for online, real-time reporting meaning that parents can view their child's progress via the Hero app or a web browser. In 2023, we introduced this new reporting system, and so for existing parents the same process to access them will occur. For those new to Willow Park, or who need a refresher, we have included some information below:

We recommend that you download the Hero app as this is our communication tool as a school. To download the Hero app, please click on the picture below.

If you have any problems, please come into the school office and we can help, or email Fran Bowerman at fran.b@willowpark.school.nz . The app can also be accessed through a tablet or laptop through their online portal. 

Mid Year Reports

On Wednesday 15 July, we will be opening our mid-year reports for 2025. The mid-year report works alongside an academic focussed Whānau Connect meeting which will be held on Wednesday 16 July or Thursday 17 July. This is Week 1 of Term 3. 

This year all state schools have been mandated by the National led government to follow the refreshed curriculum for English and Maths that was introduced at the beginning of this year. For Willow Park this has followed a familiar path that we have taken as a school, with a structured approach to literacy since 2021. This year we have introduced a structured approach to maths, using one of the Ministry approved providers, Maths No Problem. 

With these changes, the Ministry of Education is currently revising the assessment systems in place for schools to measure attainment of students. National Curriculum levels are no longer being used. The refreshed curriculum is based on a mastery approach.  The process the Ministry of Education is undertaking is not yet complete, so schools are anticipating that more information will be provided to them towards the end of this year. In the interim, the Ministry of Education have released this statement to schools:

Statement from the Ministry of Education to Support Schools with Reporting to Parents:

As part of our focus on lifting student achievement we have introduced new, knowledge–rich and internationally–comparable curriculum this year for Maths in Years 0–8 and English in Years 0–6, and Te Reo Rangatira Years 0-6 and Pāngarau Years 0-8 wāhanga ako.

This means we are currently changing from the old to the new curriculum. We want to acknowledge that schools and kura will only have been using the new curricula from the start of 2025, which includes new teaching and assessment methods and content.

Because of this you could see a change in your child’s progress or achievement compared to previous years which may be the result of changes in the curriculum expectations for your child’s year level. If you have concerns or questions about your child’s achievement, we strongly suggest you talk with your child’s teacher or kaiako. They will also have used their own observations, classroom tasks and other tests to report on the progress your child is making.

As a result of these changes and the transition between old and new curricula, Mid Year Reports will look a little different.  Parents will see a general comment from the teacher, and goals for children for reading, writing and maths. The Whānau Connect meeting is an essential part of this report as it will be the teacher that is able to share with you how well your child is progressing using the refreshed curriculum. 

Reports are opened online via the Hero platform. This is a written summary of a child’s academic achievement for the end of the school year. Teachers set goals, and write a general comment about your child.

The General Comment has been written by the class teacher. A General Comment provides an overview, or a snapshot of your child from the class teacher’s time with your child.  These details will also be shared in the conference.  

  • The General Comment will focus on what is most relevant to your child as a learner and as a person.  The following may be part of the General Comment:

    • Where your child really excels or has a strength, interest or passion. 

    • Information about Key Competencies and Values

    • Inquiry

    • Information about how your child interacts with others, and levels of resilience and flexibility

  • The final piece of information shared on the report is your child’s attendance so far this year. This is shown as a pie chart showing the percentage of time present at school. Information on attendance can be found: HERE.

Printing of Reports

Parents are able to print a copy of the mid-year and end of year report when these are open. To print, please follow the instructions:

  • Download the report as a PDF

  • Print it from there

  • Reports can be printed from your HERO app if you have an Android phone.

  • If you have an Apple phone you need to print them through a browser and not the HERO app as Apple doesn’t support printing.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Our aim is for students to be ignited in their thirst for knowledge and skills, inspiring them to be lifelong learners, with opportunities to inquire collaboratively with their peers. 

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.