Parent/Teacher Interviews – Whānau/Kaiako Hui:Junior Interviews
28 April 3:30 – 6:30pm for In-person interviews
30 April 3:30 – 6:30pm for Online interviews
Senior Interviews
2 June 3:30 – 6:30pm for In-person interviews
4 June 3:30 – 6:30pm for Online interviews
Please note that school finishes early (by 3pm) for all students on each of these days.
Last year, after a long spell of online-only parent/teacher interviews, we decided to invite you back since we finally had suitable classroom space. Parents were surveyed, and we decided to keep the online interview option as well.
So, at WGC, you can either come in to see teachers in person for your interview or attend online via a Google Meet. You choose the style you prefer and book on the appropriate day.
Booking instructions, lists of teachers and a map of the school for the in-person option will be provided to parents of juniors at the end of the term. Look out for the email. Senior booking instructions will be emailed in Term Two.
TOP TIP
Don’t book interviews back-to-back. While we try to stick to time, it can become a challenge, and teachers may run late. If you are attending in person, you definitely need to build in walking and getting lost time – at least 10 mins between each interview.
How to make the most out of your 5 mins
Please, please look at the Parent Portal. If you have read teacher comments, seen results, looked at absences and latenesses and know in general what your child is currently working on, this saves a lot of time having to bring everyone up to date and repeat information that is already written down. Teachers can get straight to the point, and the focus can be on the next steps.
FAQS
Do we have to book interviews?
No. There are many ways we communicate with you about your child’s progress throughout the year. This is mainly through the Kamar parent portal, so please check it regularly. We also write emails, make phone calls and sometimes request meetings when we feel we have something to address. You may feel like you don’t need a meeting, and that’s ok. If you are away and can’t make it, that’s ok.
Why are interviews only 5 minutes?
A full-time teacher might teach up to 150- 200 students. It isn’t possible to provide interview slots for everyone without having multiple days of them, which is unsustainable.
What if I can’t book a time with all the teachers I want to talk to?
That does happen. Some of our staff are part-time or they might be unwell or on leave on the day. Some teach a huge number of junior or senior students depending on their timetable, and it would be impossible to fit everyone in. If you miss out and have a particular question or concern, you can email the teacher.
What if we have more serious concerns to discuss?
Often, more serious concerns are already discussed at other times. Teachers or Deans might have already communicated with you, or you have requested an appointment, and lengthier meetings have been held at school. This happens frequently throughout the year for many. Sometimes during interviews, it becomes apparent that the issues are more than a 5-minute discussion, and this can be followed up later if it requires more time. Not everything can or should be resolved then and there.
Why can’t the interviews go later in the evening?
Some teachers will have taught lessons all day and will still have marking and preparation to do for the next day. Interview days are exhausting, and most teachers will have 25 interviews per day.
Can the teachers be more prepared for the interviews?
We try! Remember, each teacher can teach up to 150-200 students. On interview night, we are mentally jumping between our different classes, and mistakes can happen.
Is my child expected to be there?
We encourage them to be there – the meetings are about them after all. Some parents feel that they get more out of the meetings without their child there, and some prefer them there. This is the same way teachers feel! We’d like to keep this flexible and leave this up to your preference. Many students have after-school jobs or sports training, and it isn’t possible.
