A note from Mr B

NAPLAN

This week we have been able to access our initial 2023 NAPLAN data. In the next few weeks we should receive a delivery of student results to be sent home so that you may look at your child’s results with them.

This year, the way the NAPLAN results are reported to schools and families has changed. Previously, you might recall that students were grouped into ‘bands’. A higher ‘band’ indicated better performance on that test. This year (as you will have seen from the Principal’s Report), a child’s performance in each area of NAPLAN is now reported as one of four proficiency levels – ‘exceeding’, ‘strong’, ‘developing’ or ‘needs additional support’. 

In 2023, across the five areas in which students were assessed (Reading, Writing, Numeracy, Spelling and Grammar and Punctuation), Langwarrin Primary School students performed exceptionally well. Schools are compared against similar schools based on the percentage of students achieving at the new ‘strong’ and ‘exceeding’ proficiency levels. In each of those areas, in both Year 3 and Year 5, our students have, on average, outperformed students at similar schools.

These results are extremely pleasing and are a credit to the work that students and staff have put into their learning in the preceding years. As a leadership team, then more broadly across the school, we will analyse the data for each year level, as well as by class and for individual students to help us continue to challenge and support our students academically.

Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

Last week you would have received your child’s Semester 1 report and had the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher. If you were unable to attend your child’s parent teacher interview, please contact the classroom teacher to arrange a time to discuss your child’s report. 

With reports and interviews completed, teachers will now be focused on each child’s next learning goals. But what does this mean at a school level? The assessments that students completed prior to the writing of reports can show teachers how much a child has learned, but they also tell teachers the areas that a child still needs to be supported with. Year level teams meet formally as a group twice a week to use this data in preparing the lessons to be taught and the work to be completed. Our year level teams have one session where they will look at the year level data to identify areas of strength and areas for growth. Their second session together is spent planning units and lessons to ensure that there is consistency in what they are teaching and how it is being taught. So when your child comes home and says that they’ve completed an Essential Assessment or a PAT, or improved their Literacy Pro score, you’ll know that in the coming weeks, your child’s teacher will be using that information to plan accurately for your child!

Rowan Balzary