Teaching & Learning at Milgate
NAPLAN
Year 3 & 5 students
Over this week and next, our Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in the annual National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN assesses skills that are essential for students as they progress through school, including reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy.
NAPLAN is one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process and does not replace the extensive ongoing assessments teachers make about each student’s learning and progress throughout the year. It is also an important tool for schools to measure their performance over time. By looking at results across several years, schools can identify trends in student learning, reflect on teaching practices, and target professional learning to continue improving outcomes for students. The data also assists the Department of Education to identify which schools may need additional support.
While families will receive their child’s individual report, NAPLAN is primarily designed to provide information about how schools and systems are performing over time rather than to define an individual student’s abilities.
As IB PYP students, our learners are critical and creative thinkers, show curiosity about the world around them, are risk-takers in their learning, and develop deep conceptual understandings with a global perspective. These qualities are equally important for every child to learn and flourish.
We would like to thank and acknowledge our Year 3 and Year 5 students and teachers for their work in preparing for the tests. Students should be proud of the effort they showed in doing their best, and as a school we are proud of them, regardless of the result.
How We Teach at Milgate
The IB Approaches to Teaching
At Milgate Primary School, our teaching is guided by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Approaches to Teaching. These approaches underpin teaching across all IB schools worldwide and help ensure that learning is meaningful, engaging and responsive to the needs of students.
The approaches are intentionally broad, allowing teachers the flexibility to select strategies that best suit their students and the context of their classroom. You may see these approaches reflected in many ways across our school.
Teaching is based on inquiry
Students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate ideas and build their own understanding. Rather than simply receiving information, students explore concepts, research and discuss their thinking. Across the school this might look like students investigating scientific ideas, exploring mathematical strategies, or engaging in discussions that challenge them to think deeply and explain their reasoning.
Teaching focuses on conceptual understanding
At Milgate we aim for students to understand the big ideas behind what they are learning so they can apply their knowledge in new situations. For example, in mathematics students develop strong conceptual understandings of number and problem solving so that they can transfer their thinking to unfamiliar challenges.
Teaching is developed in local and global contexts
Learning becomes powerful when students see how it connects to the real world. This week, our Year 4 students visited Sovereign Hill, bringing their learning about Australia’s history to life as they explored what life was like during the gold rush. Experiences such as excursions, community connections and real-world problems help students see the relevance of their learning.
Teaching promotes teamwork and collaboration
Collaboration is an important part of learning. Students regularly work together to solve problems, share ideas and learn from one another while developing communication and self-management skills.Collaboration also occurs behind the scenes. Our teachers work together in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to analyse student data, plan learning experiences and reflect on teaching practices. Recently, teams have been engaging in professional learning through the Berry Street Education Model, working together to strengthen behaviour support and wellbeing strategies across the school.
Teaching is designed to remove barriers to learning
Inclusive teaching ensures every student can access learning and feel successful. At Milgate this includes using enabling and extending prompts so tasks can be adjusted to support or challenge students as needed. Teachers also establish clear routines, predictable structures and brain breaks to help students stay focused and regulated throughout the day.
Teaching is informed by assessment
Assessment plays an important role in helping us understand student progress and guide our teaching. This week students have participated in a range of assessments, including NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5, PAT Reading assessments, and the Living Ripples student wellbeing survey, which provides insight into students’ mental health and wellbeing. Alongside the many assessments teachers conduct in classrooms every day, this information helps us identify trends, monitor progress and plan targeted teaching and support.
Together, these approaches help us create learning environments where students are supported to grow as curious, capable and compassionate learners who can think critically, collaborate with others and make meaningful contributions to their communities.