A message from Christine Kenny – Deputy Principal Academic (K-12)

Term 1 is well underway and learning at Pymble is definitely proving to be engaging, collaborative and challenging! I’ve just observed a Year 7 Technology class where the students were assembling machines from a flat pack designed by Mr Peter Ellis, Head of TAS. They were following his video instructions and working together to solve problems as they arose. There was a palpable sense of purpose in the workshop as the girls grappled with plywood and glue!

NAPLAN

Term 1 is also the time for NAPLAN testing and parents of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will have received information about the NAPLAN tests via the Parent Portal. NAPLAN tests are held in four domains; Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy. For details about the Year 3 and 5 tests, please refer to Mrs Lara Bird’s notice on the Parent Portal.

In Years 7 and 9, NAPLAN tests will take place over two days, Thursday 14 and Friday 15 March. Students complete two tests per day and are otherwise in regular classes. We are asking Year 9 to arrive by 8.05am on both days as their tests are during periods 1 and 2. Year 7 tests will be held during periods 3 and 4. Students will use school laptops but need to bring their own headphones.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) indicates that NAPLAN tests assess knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom and that additional study is not necessary or recommended. Most students in Years 7 and 9 will be familiar with the format of the tests and we will encourage them to remain calm and do their best.

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Christine Kenny

Deputy Principal – Academic (K-12)