Dear Families,

NAPLAN Weeks 7 - 8
Next week, our students will participate in NAPLAN, the national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

Schools have transitioned from paper-based to computer-based assessments. All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper. Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are more engaging for students. One of the main benefits is tailored (or adaptive) testing, where the test presents questions which may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Teachers have already familiarised students with the types of questions in the tests. Students understand the purpose of NAPLAN and are comfortable with the format of the tests. 

On the testing days, from Wednesday to Friday of Week 7, you should ensure your child has a healthy breakfast, is well-rested, and arrives at school on time. It’s not necessary to prepare in any other way. Students have plenty of time for eating, rest and play on the day.

See the types of questions and tools available in the online NAPLAN assessments at the public demonstration site. More information for parents and carers can be found here.

Reading Information Session

Our Classroom Support Team is presenting two short information sessions that may be of interest to parents of students in Kindergarten, Year 1 or Year 2, who would like to learn more about how to support their child’s reading journey.

During the sessions, we’ll discuss some of the activities you can do at home to encourage your child to practise a range of literacy skills, and how you can assist your child during home reading.

More information can be found in the flyer attached to this newsletter. Questions or RSVPs can be sent to petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Petra Cole
Assistant Principal 
petra.cole@cg.catholic.edu.au