Principal's Address

NAPLAN AND ITS VALUE IN GUIDING LEARNING

NAPLAN 2019 is officially over and we, like every other school community in Australia, will await the test results next term. Some parents/carers may have experienced the media frenzy around the tests and the desire in some quarters to highlight NAPLAN’s capacity to compare schools and quantify student achievement. However, this focus diverts attention from the real function of the tests, which is to offer another set of data to schools to assist their analysis of what is working well with learning and to identify priority areas for improving learning.

At Mater Dei, we focus on improving student learning outcomes and fostering student engagement on an ongoing basis, so NAPLAN results just represent one of many ways that we use data and evidence to inform teaching and learning. The National School Improvement Agenda, which is a core part of our own College improvement frame, points to the need to be explicit with our improvement goals and this is reflected in both our Annual Improvement Plan and Staff Professional Learning Program throughout the year.

Our results at Mater Dei are strong in external testing, with HSC performance across a range of rigorous courses consistently above state average, year after year. However, we are always focused on further improving student achievement and results.

We know that the best ways to support learners include adopting a consistent approach to learning across all years and subject areas and our teachers are working together in Professional Learning Communities to achieve this goal. We have the benefit of great expertise from within our staff, with many skilled leaders of learning, as well as those available from the Catholic Schools Office and the broader education sector.

All of these elements of our improvement plan are informed by data and evidence to ensure that they are explicitly linked to improving the learning outcomes of our students at Mater Dei. NAPLAN analysis forms a part of this focus. The College uses the comprehensive report package each year to analyse the test data within and across Year Groups. NAPLAN is valuable as one of many tools used at Mater Dei to improve the learning outcomes for all students so that they are well prepared to meet the demands of the curriculum today and in their world as next generation learners.

NO STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING (PUPIL FREE) DAYS THIS TERM

As published previously, there are no Staff Professional Learning Days scheduled for the remainder of Term 2.

This Week...

I am in Sydney for three days this week attending the Catholic Principals’ Conference with the Diocesan Principals. This is an important professional learning priority at both a Diocesan and College level. In my absence, Mr Lawrence and members of the Leadership Team will be available if required.

I have enjoyed the start of the winter sports and wish our students participating in the Currie Cup, Carroll Cup and Tracey Gunson Netball competitions all the best as we approach the finals.

We keep the Presentation Sisters in our thoughts and prayers this week, with the passing of Sr Mary Silk.

In this season of Easter and in the spirit of National Sorry Day, which occurs this Sunday 26 May, we pray:

Every moment of our existence you are present, God

in gentle compassion and mercy.

Holy Spirit touch our lives and give us comfort

So that we may be a strength and a presence to those in need of healing.

Amen

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal