Assistant Principal Report

NAPLAN Testing

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for our Year 3 and 5 students are held in March each year. In 2026, the NAPLAN test window is between Wednesday 11th March and Monday 23rd March. 

Below is the timetable for testing at Deer Park West Primary School. All testing will take place in the morning session. 

Wednesday 11th of March – Writing

Thursday 12th of March – Reading

Friday 13th of March – Conventions of Language

Monday 16th of March – Numeracy

All eligible students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. Catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including Monday 23rd March 2025.

Support can be arranged for students with disabilities, if the student regularly uses similar support for classroom assessment tasks. Exemptions may be granted to students with significant intellectual disabilities and to students who have been learning English for less than one year. 

If your child is eligible for support due to disability or exemption, you should discuss this with their teacher prior to the tests. Parental consent is required before any support due to disability or exemption is granted.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a student withdrawal form. These forms are available at the school.

For parents and carers further information on NAPLAN testing, including translation into different languages, can be found at https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers 

Cyber Safety at Home

Learning about technology and its impacts does not stop at the school gate. The Department of Education provides guidance for how families can help children use digital technologies safely and responsibly. For more information, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/monitoring-use-technology-home 

Establish Clear Routines

Talk with your child about when, where, and how digital devices may be used at home, ensuring expectations are consistent and age‑appropriate. This may include:

• Using devices only in shared family areas.

• Charging devices overnight in a common space, away from bedrooms, to support healthy sleep. Be present when your child is using digital devices, especially for younger children.

   

Restrict Inappropriate Content

• Use built‑in parental controls to manage access and block content that is not age‑appropriate.

• Consider limiting access to apps or games with addictive features, such as reward loops or limited exit options.

   

Talk About Online Safety

Discuss the importance of protecting personal information, recognising scams, and understanding privacy settings. Encourage your child to speak with you or another trusted adult if they feel unsafe online.

Model Balanced and Responsible Digital Use

Show healthy habits by balancing online activity with offline play, outdoor time, and family interaction. Aim to keep screens out of bedrooms and avoid screen time before bed.

Work With the School

If you have concerns about your child’s technology use, speak with their teacher. Understanding what they are learning at school will help you reinforce positive habits at home.

Kind regards,

Joshua Fielding

Assistant Principal