Learning and Teaching 

This week our Year 3 and 5 students will be completing the NAPLAN testing. This is a National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy and is a series of tests focused on basic skills that are administered to Australian students in year 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will be assessed in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy. 

Below is a letter we sent out to our Year 3 and 5 students' parents regarding our thoughts and feelings about this test and our students.

To Our Dearest Students from Years 3 & 5,

This week you will sit your first NAPLAN test. Before you take this test there is something very important we would like you to know:

This test does not assess all of what makes each of you exceptional and unique.

The people who score these tests don’t know that some of you love to sing, are good at drawing or can teach others how to use a computer program. They have not seen the way that some of you can dance with grace or speak confidently to a large group. They don’t know that your friends count on you to be there for them when they are sad. They do not know that you participate in sports, help your Mum and Dad or that you play with your brothers, sisters and cousins. They do not know that you are caring, thoughtful and that every day you do your best, because these attributes cannot be tested. 

The scores you get from this test will tell you how you did on that day, but they will not tell you everything. They can’t tell you that you have improved on something that you once found difficult. They can’t tell you that you brighten up your teacher’s day. They can’t tell you how amazingly special you are. 

So come to school ready to do your best for the NAPLAN test and remember there is no one way to ‘test’ all the wonderful things that make you, YOU!

Kind Regards,

St Joseph’s School Staff

Regards,

Megan Barber

mbarber@sjsorrento.catholic.edu.au