Curriculum

NAPLAN

Each year across the country in all Primary Schools, Grade 3 and 5 students participate in the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). This year, students will complete a range of assessments starting from the 13th March.

Why do students complete NAPLAN?

NAPLAN is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

What does NAPLAN Assess?

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The questions assess content linked to the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics. All government and non-government education authorities contribute to the development of NAPLAN test materials.

Your Child will complete NAPLAN Assessments Online

Online NAPLAN tests are designed to provide precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive) which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment. Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway. All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.

What can I do to help my Child?

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Some explanation of NAPLAN is useful to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the tests; however, it is not necessary for parents/carers to do this. Our Teachers and teams will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance to promote a safe and positive learning environment.

What if my child is absent?

Where possible, we will always arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the test schedule. Please note, that all NAPLAN assessment must be completed with the test window dates:

13th March - 25th March

For more information about NAPLAN: 

• Contact the school at any time to discuss any questions or seeking further assistance. 

• Visit www.nap.edu.au