Learning Pedagogy and Innovation

National Assessment Program

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students are held in March each year. In 2025, the NAPLAN test window is between Wednesday 12 March, and Monday 24 March. 

NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents/carers, teachers and principals and can be used to improve student achievement.

NAPLAN tests are delivered in an online format. This delivers many benefits including:

• a ‘tailored test’ design that adapts to correct and incorrect student responses providing a more precise understanding of student achievement;
• innovative use of technology, including a more engaging test design and a wider range of item types;
• an extended and more flexible test window, allowing schools greater opportunity to schedule the tests at times that suit them best and increasing student participation.

A public demonstration site is available for schools, teachers, parents/carers and students to familiarise themselves with the online tests.  

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 24 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Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parents or carer.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.

Later in the year, you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report. The report will describe your child’s particular skills in reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. 

I am confident that the information you receive as a result of your child’s participation in the NAPLAN tests will be valuable in helping you assess your child’s progress in literacy and numeracy.

For more information about the tests, please visit the VCAA website at: www.vcaa.vic.edu.auor the NAP website at: www.nap.edu.au.

Atomi

Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College is excited to announce its continued partnership with Atomi at the Year 10 level.

MMCRC is committed to providing the best possible learning environment to foster student success. A critical step in creating this experience is equipping both staff and students with the right tools to support learning, both in and out of the classroom. By leveraging the latest innovations in technology, we are able to encourage greater academic success.

What is Atomi?

Trusted by over 700 Australian schools, Atomi is an online learning platform that helps your child understand their content and improve their results through video lessons, interactive quizzes and intelligent features. 

What does the partnership involve?

All Year 10’s will be able to access the Study Skills content and modules for all of 2025. This selection was made to assist all students become more equipped with the skills to be confident learners. These resources will be valuable for students when preparing for in-class tests, SAC’s or end-of-semester examinations. Sometimes when studying, what feels comfortable such as re-reading and summarising, is not always the most effective. The resources available in the Atomi Study Skills platform helps guide students through ways to learn in an efficient and effective manner. The Atomi Study Skills platform includes modules designed to enhance students’ skills in the following areas:

• Study Techniques
• Memory and Learning
• Goals and Mindsets
• Cognitive Verbs
• Staying Productive and Looking After Yourself

Students can access Atomi anywhere, anytime. They will be encouraged to build Atomi into their revision routines, leveraging innovative features that will improve their study skills, and learning outcomes, and build their confidence. This includes video lessons, an exam revision generator, goal-setting templates, weekly, monthly and termly planners, intelligent quizzes and so much more. 

What happens next

Year 10s have been set up with their own Atomi profile, ready for access to the Study Skills modules. 

To access their Atomi profile, your child needs to accept an email invitation that has been sent to their school email address and follow the prompts. They will be guided through this process and shown what effective Atomi usage looks like. Teachers will continue to monitor student usage throughout the course of the partnership.

If you would like more information about Atomi, you can view their website or contact Mr. Patrick McCarthy- Pedagogy and Student Performance Leader.

Patrick McCarthy - Pedagogy and Student Performance Leader