Pre-enrolment Screener

Why we do a screener

• Before you become a student at Hester, we complete a screener as part of the enrolment process.
• A screener is a series of short activities that help us learn about your literacy and numeracy skills.
• This is not a test, and there are no grades or pass/fail results.
  The screener helps us understand how you learn best and what supports will help you feel successful.
• You can take your time, ask for breaks, and do your best.

Arriving at the session

• When you arrive, you will be welcomed by a staff member.
• This person will be your facilitator and will guide you through the process.

Where the screener happens

• You will be taken to a quiet space so you can focus.
• We prefer that you complete the screener independently with the facilitator.
• A supportive adult (carer or guardian) can stay in the room if needed.
• They are there for support only and cannot help answer questions.

Choosing where to start

   You get to choose what to start with:

          √ Literacy, or
          √ Numeracy

 Literacy Screener: What to Expect

   The literacy screener looks at:

• Reading
• Understanding what you read (comprehension)
• Sound awareness (phonemic awareness)

    Step 1: Reading words

• You will read a list of words out loud, one at a time.
• It is okay to self-correct or say if a word feels unfamiliar. 

     Step 2: Reading texts

• You will read two texts:
                 o one fiction
                 o one non-fiction
• Reading out loud helps us understand reading fluency.
• In some situations, you may choose to read silently.

      Step 3: Answering questions

• You will answer a few questions about each text to show your understanding.

     Step 4: Non-words

• You will read a list of non-words (these are made-up words).
• These help us understand how you work with sounds, not what you already know.
• The facilitator will then say some non-words, and you will try to spell them.

 Numeracy Screener: What to Expect

• The numeracy screener has 21 questions that slowly increase in difficulty
• The questions cover:
                    o counting
                    o addition and subtraction
                    o multiplication and division
                    o fractions and decimals
• You might not remember how to do some questions, and that is okay.
• You can skip questions or try to work them out in your own way.
• Just try your best.

Final reminder!

You do not need to get everything right.

We are only gathering information so we can understand you better and support you in the best way possible.

If you feel unsure, that’s okay.

You can ask for help, a break, or time to think.

We can't wait to meet you!