Learning & Teaching News

The Importance of NAPLAN Testing: A Key Tool for Supporting Student Learning

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we approach the time for NAPLAN testing, we want to take a moment to explain the significance of this assessment and how it helps us support your child’s learning journey.

Understanding NAPLAN’s Role

NAPLAN, or the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a tool used across Australia to assess the literacy and numeracy skills of students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It provides valuable insights into how students are progressing in key areas of learning such as reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and numeracy. By participating in NAPLAN, we are able to identify any potential learning gaps, which then helps us tailor our teaching strategies to better support your child.

Why NAPLAN Matters

While NAPLAN is an important diagnostic tool, it’s not the sole measure of your child's abilities or progress. It provides us with a snapshot of their skills at a specific point in time, but it’s just one part of a much larger picture. In our college, we are continually assessing your child's learning every day, through ongoing observations, assessments, and classroom interactions. Teachers use this information to make daily adjustments in their teaching, ensuring that all students receive the appropriate support to achieve their best.

Encouraging Effort Without Stress

It's important for students to approach NAPLAN with a sense of confidence, rather than stress. While it can be easy to worry about test performance, we want to reassure both students and parents that the focus is not on perfection, but on doing their best. NAPLAN provides valuable feedback, but it’s only one tool in a range of methods we use to understand each child’s learning needs. We encourage students to simply try their best and to view the test as an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.

Supporting Every Student Every Day

At our school, our teachers are deeply committed to understanding the individual learning needs of each student. They continuously assess students in their day-to-day learning experiences, adjusting lessons, offering additional support, and challenging students to grow. NAPLAN results are just one part of the broader picture of how we track and support your child’s development.

In conclusion, while NAPLAN plays an important role in identifying areas for improvement, it’s not something students should feel pressured by. It’s an opportunity for us to further understand your child’s learning and make informed decisions about how to best support their academic growth.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure the success of every student.

Sincerely,

Bradley Scammell

Middle Years Curriculum Leader -  Clyde North Campus