From the Head of Learning and Teaching – NAPLAN

This week saw the updating of the My School website with the 2022 NAPLAN data. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Each year students in Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

At MLC School we were very pleased with how well the students performed overall. In the table below you can see how MLC School performed in relation to statistically similar schools. The pale green and dark green bands indicate where our school average performance was above and well above like schools.

In 2023 there has been a change to the timing of NAPLAN. Unlike previous years the testing will occur in Term 1. The reason for this change is so that results can be returned to schools earlier in the year which will support teachers to understand the learning needs of their students and plan accordingly. At MLC School the tests will take place Wednesday 15 March to Friday 17 March 2023.

The testing is conducted online so it is important that your daughter’s device is in good working order and fully charged on the day if she is in Year 5, Year 7 or Year 9. Girls in Year 5 should also remember to bring their keyboard to school as the writing test will be conducted online. Year 3 will complete their testing using the iPads provided by the School. Their writing test will be completed by hand. The School will have backup devices in place for any emergencies that occur on the day. All students must bring headphones.

NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling. Your daughter does not need to study for these tests. She has been well prepared by the academic program in place at MLC School. The best preparation for NAPLAN is to make sure your daughter has a good night’s rest the evening before and that she has had a healthy breakfast before commencing the school day.

In the coming weeks we will undertake activities to help the girls to become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. If you would like to see the type of questions asked on these tests parents can access the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available.

More detail about NAPLAN can be found in the below fact sheets. If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact Natalie Hird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Learning for Year 3 and Year 5 or Penny Pachos, Deputy Head of Senior School – Academic for Year 7 and Year 9.

– Linda Emms
Head of Learning and Teaching