Learning and Teaching

NAPLAN

In two weeks,  our Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN. They will take part in the Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy assessments from  Wednesday the 11th of March, until Friday the 13th of March. Your child will do the NAPLAN tests online. Schools have transitioned from paper-based to computer-based assessments. All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.

Therefore, all children in Year 3 and 5 will need a fully charged Chromebook and must bring a set of headphones for the testing period. Please ensure that your child has these. 

Why do students do NAPLAN tests?

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN tests are just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process; they do not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

NAPLAN tests also provide schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are meeting important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

How can I help my child prepare for NAPLAN?

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular classroom activities. As such excessive preparation or coaching is not required. You can help your child prepare for NAPLAN by reassuring them that the tests are just one part of their school program, and by reminding them on the day to simply try their best. NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. See the NAPLAN website for examples of the test.

To find out more about NAPLAN, visit https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/foundation-10/naplan/information-parents-and-carers 

Deborah Courtney

(Director of Learning and Teaching)