Accessible Assessment Research Consent Survey to Complete

PBC is currently part of an important piece of educational research on how to make assessment more accessible for all students to improve their learning outcomes. Sometimes students can feel that assignments are difficult to decipher what really needs to be done and that questions can sound like they a written to trick them. This research is about stripping all that back and writing assessment that is clear for students (and parents!) so that they can perform better.

To assist us in being part to this work we need you to consent to your child being a part of it. QUT, the university involved, has provided us with an email that Anita Sgalippa JS principal has forwarded to parents. Whilst we appreciate there are many emails that require your attention in the first month of the year, we and our university partners would be very grateful if you can complete the quick survey from the link in the email or use the link below and consent for yourself and your student so we can gather their feedback on our changes.

Access the survey at this link.

Week 10 new units will commence

Week 10 will be a normal school week and as such we ask families to plan for their child to be in attendance as classes will be starting new work. Please review our assessment calendars on the school website so see that all weeks are vital for attendance and staying connected.

NAPLAN Update

Naplan rehearsals have been completed. In Weeks 7 and 8, Year 7 and Year 9 students will sit NAPLAN.

NAPLAN results help our English and Maths teachers to tailor programs that continue to improve students’ literacy and numeracy skills.

Teachers have carefully worked with students to prepare them for the test and we look forward to every student making their best effort. NAPLAN is now done online, with adaptive test so that every student can show what they can do, rather than what they cannot do.

Students will receive information at school about which room to attend for NAPLAN. All other scheduled lessons will run as usual during these days.

Participation

We encourage all of Year 7 and Year 9 to be part of NAPLAN, and we make special provisions for the inclusion of students with PLPs. Inclusion Coordinators will be in touch with families about adjustments we can make for students where applicable.

NAPLAN Equipment

No special equipment is required. Students must bring their charged PBC laptop and a pen or pencil. Students using BYOD will be provided with a device at each test session.

Preparing for NAPLAN

Students cannot study for NAPLAN. You might support your child to visit the Public Access Site, where they can make sure that they know how to use the online tools and answer different styles of online questions. https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

Students are best off having a good night’s sleep and a decent breakfast to prepare for each day of the tests.

NAPLAN Dates:

Wed 11 March – Writing

Thurs 12 March - Reading

Fri 13 March – Language Conventions

Mon 16 March – Numeracy

Tues 17 March - Catch Up

Year 9 students: Period 1 each testing day
Year 7 students: Period 2 each testing day

Students will complete the assessments online using their school laptop.

Why NAPLAN is important:

NAPLAN provides valuable information about each student’s progress in literacy and numeracy. This data is exceptionally helpful for educators, as it allows us to identify individual strengths and areas for development. Teachers use this information to tailor their teaching, provide targeted support, and ensure we are best catering to the learning needs of every student. NAPLAN results also complement classroom assessment and help inform whole-school planning and improvement.

Student absences:

If your child is absent on a scheduled test day, the school will arrange a catch-up session within the testing window, where possible.

Withdrawal from NAPLAN:

If you wish to withdraw your child from NAPLAN testing, this must be done in writing. Please email your request to cwill929@eq.edu.au.

Individual student results will be provided later in the year once they are released nationally. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Term 1 Interim Reports

Student Term 1 Interim Reports will be emailed home early Term 2.

Term 1 reports are interim reports. This means that they will indicate a child’s Term 1 achievement, effort and behaviour in each subject.

Please ensure that the email address we have recorded for you is current to ensure you receive your child’s report.

We encourage you to follow up on this report by attending Parent Teacher Interviews in Term 2 / Week 3 (5th to 7th May - 3:15pm to 8pm in the Hall). Information about how to book Parent Teacher Interviews will be sent with the Interim reports.

PBC Newsletter

Nil Sed Optima

Issue 2 · 17 Feb 2026

In this issue