St Matthew’s Year 3 and 5 students will participate in NAPLAN Online testing next week from Wednesday to Friday, with ‘catch up’ sessions held the following week on Monday and Tuesday. 

NAPLAN Online allows for tailored testing. This means that a student is presented with sets of questions based on their performance during the test. This model provides students with the opportunity to better demonstrate their range of literacy and numeracy skills and it is more engaging for students. 

As a parent, you can become familiar with NAPLAN Online tests by visiting the public demonstration site. The purpose of the site is to familiarise students with the type of items they will see on NAPLAN Online and related functionalities. This level of familiarisation is worthwhile to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the test.

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them -  as their teachers do - that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and they should simply do their best. Encourage your child to get a good night’s rest and have a healthy breakfast on NAPLAN testing days. Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance. 

NAPLAN results are used to: 

• help identify students who need greater challenges or extra support. 
• identify strengths and areas of need to improve teaching programs and to set goals in literacy and numeracy.
• review the effectiveness of programs and support.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss your son or daughter’s participation in this event, please contact me (petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au) as soon as possible.