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Assistant Principal's Report

Miss Carly Epskamp

NAPLAN

 

It’s that time of the year when school is back for Term One, and primary school-aged children in Years Three and Five across the country are getting ready to sit the annual NAPLAN. It’s a “testing” time for some, but it’s important that we provide children with support and encouragement to approach the tests in a positive way. That's why NAPLAN preparation is always important. At DPS, our students have been practising NAPLAN skills in class time with their peers and teachers and many students attended our 8:00am NAPLAN bootcamps over the last few weeks. Well done to all of our DPS students and teacher for your thorough preparation.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a series of tests focused on basic skills that are administered to Australian school students. This year, it will be held from Wednesday 15th March to Monday 22nd March. NAPLAN helps governments, education authorities and schools to get an overview of whether young Australians are reaching important literacy and numeracy goals. The NAPLAN test also provides information about how education programs are working, areas for improvement, and which schools need support in the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy. It also allows parents to see how their child is progressing against national standards over time. It provides a way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics, which are basic skillsets that will set them up for the path to success as adults.

For many children, the thought of taking a test can be confusing and a little scary. For Year 3 students sitting the NAPLAN test for the first time, they may find it overwhelming and, in some cases, may not be fazed by it at all because they don’t know what to expect (or what is expected of them). If your child is feeling nervous about the upcoming NAPLAN tests, there are ways you can help as a parent to get them ready and hopefully ease their worries with the right NAPLAN preparation.

 

Top 6 NAPLAN tips for parents

  1. Encourage your child to regularly do their homework
  2. Encourage confidence – encourage your child to ‘give it a go’, ‘try your best’, ‘do what you can’; reinforce that your expectations are to do your best
  3. Discuss feeling/ concerns – Let your child know that feeling a little bit anxious is normal; show empathy and listen to their fears, concerns and worries. Reassure them of your expectations 
  4. Maintain a caring, positive attitude – Be approachable; encourage interest activities as well as homework; your child needs to feel safe, secure, confident and relaxed
  5. Prepare your child to have a great day – Allow them to have plenty of sleep, a nutritious breakfast, plenty of water, a healthy lunch and arrive at school on time
  6. Keep perspective – This is just a test in time; just one form of assessment and success is not determined by a test. 

Top 5 NAPLAN tips for students

  1. Try to do a little bit of homework each and every night
  2. Think strong – just give everything a go and try your best
  3. Speak up – if you feel worried talk to your parents, grandparents or teacher. Everything will be ok 
  4. Prepare yourself as best you can – go to bed early the night before, have a healthy breakfast and drink lots of water.
  5. Relax – breathe in and out and calm your mind and body, YOU CAN DO THIS!    

We are extremely proud of all of our DPS students and the way they have approached the NAPLAN this year with enthusiasm and excitement. We wish them all the best for the upcoming tests and can’t wait for them to show off the skills they have developed this year and in the years prior. Good luck NAPLANNERS!