Naplan Testing

Naplan Testing

As many of you would be aware, NAPLAN testing is being conducted earlier than usual this year. Instead of being held in May, the tests are now being held in March.  As the tests are conducted online there is a two-week window in which we are asked to conduct the tests. The arrangements we have put in place this year are as follows:

Years 3 and 5
  • Wednesday 15 March – Writing Test – Year 3 will complete this with pen and paper and Year 5 will sit this test online.
  • Thursday 16 March – the Reading Test will take place on this day. The girls will also complete the Language conventions Test (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar).
  • Friday 17 March – the Numeracy Test will take place on this day.
Years 7 and 9
  • Wednesday 15 March – The Writing Test will be completed first, followed by the Reading Test.
  • Thursday 16 March – The girls will complete the Language Conventions Test (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar). The girls in Year 7 will also complete the Numeracy Test on this day.
  • Friday 17 March – Year 9 will complete their Numeracy Test on this day.

If a student is absent on the day of a test, arrangements will be made for them to catch up on the test, provided they return to school within the testing window.

As these tests are being held earlier in the year, parents can expect to receive the reports on their daughter’s performance earlier than in the past. It is hopeful we will receive this feedback at some point in Term 2 rather than Term 3. Additionally, I would also like to let you know of some changes that are being made this year to the nature of the report that parents will receive. New NAPALAN Proficiency Standards are being introduced this year. Instead of the previous 10 band structure, the report on student performance will now consist of four levels of achievement. These new levels will be labelled: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs Additional Support. We will provide you with more information about what each of these levels represent and how to interpret the new reports when your receive your daughter’s results.

If you have any questions or you would like further information about anything relating to NAPLAN please contact either Cristi Wilsmore, Deputy Head of Primary (Teaching and Learning) or myself.

Andrew Gallagher
Director of Curriculum