Published on: 20 August 2026

  • Formative assessment
  • ICAS Mathematics
  • Book Week in Week 6

Formative assessment plays a vital role in understanding where students are at with their learning. It is an ongoing process and provides teachers with valuable information and insights into students’ understanding, knowledge, and skills within learning areas. Combined with the provision of teacher feedback, formative assessment allows teachers to know what the next step is in student learning. In the Preparatory School, teachers use a range of formative assessment tools to ascertain what boys need to progress their learning. These tools may include teacher observations, direct feedback regarding a task, the use of white boards for students to show their thinking, peer assessment, self-assessment, the use of exemplars, and student reflections on learning.

The last ICAS assessment for 2026 takes place in Week 6 with Mathematics on Wednesday August 26. In all, 611 assessments would have been completed across the 6 different subjects including Digital Technologies, Spelling, Writing, Science, English and Mathematics. Well done to all boys who gave it their best shot throughout the competition. Boys who achieve Distinctions, High Distinctions and medals, will be presented with their certificates during our Awards Assembly on Friday November 6.

Week 6 is Book Week and this upcoming event promises to ignite the love for reading among our young learners with the highly anticipated Book Week Parade and assembly. The book week parade will take place following a book themed assembly on Friday 28 August commencing at 8:35am in the Chapel where parents are welcome to attend. During this event, our boys will have the opportunity to embrace their favourite book characters, bringing them to life through costume. We encourage all boys to participate, whether they choose to dress up as their most beloved characters or as something inspired by the book week theme, which this year is “Symphony of Stories”. We kindly request that you assist your son in selecting a character and, if possible, help them create their costume. In addition to the parade, we have planned several engaging activities throughout Book Week which will be shared in the daily student bulletin. Thank you for your continuous support in fostering a culture of literacy in the Preparatory School, and we look forward to seeing you at the Book Week Parade.

Best wishes for the mid-term break.

Dr. Steven Males
Head of Preparatory School