Learning & Teaching News

NAPLAN

It is clear that NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) has a great role to play for the learning of students, parents and teachers. The movement of the tests to earlier in the year (from May to March) means schools, parents and the students gain the information on how to help grow earlier in the school year. This is alongside the tests being completed online which speeds up the marking process.

You can help prepare your child for NAPLAN by reassuring them that the tests are only one part of their learning. We, at St. Peter's College, feel that the information we gain from NAPLAN can help students grow and continue on the learning continuum (whichever stage they are at).  At St. Peter's College, we use several measures of student learning and growth, including internal assessments, class work, conversations with students as well as external assessments such as NAPLAN. This means we use the results alongside other forms of assessment to help the development of every student. They are simply a ‘snapshot’ of the student’s development in numeracy and literacy. 

If the student is feeling nervous about the test, please talk to them about why they need to complete them and that all they can do is try their best on the day.

Information for Parents and Carers on NAPLAN: 

VCE – Assessment Begins

It has reached the time of year where SAC’s (School Assessed Coursework) and SAT’s (School Assessed Tasks) are starting. 

There are several Year 10 students who are enhancing into a VCE subject for the first time. This can and may be daunting as they reach the end of the first topic and assessments become outcome focused and not only on the growth of the student. It is important to understand that students need to balance the workload of revising for these SAC’s or SAT’s with their other Year 10 classes. This will ensure they do not fall behind and therefore have an impact on their understanding on other subjects as they progress into VCE next year.

For our Year 11 students these will look slightly different with as much of an emphasis being placed on how to tackle the task rather than simply the result itself. As Year 11 students work through the year, the emphasis will then shift back toward building their knowledge and how they best show their knowledge and/or skills.

Parents or carers can help the management of workload for students as they complete their Year 12 (Unit 3 & 4) subjects. If your child is open to it, work with them to try and create a plan a few weeks ahead regarding when they have assessments occurring, so you are all aware of any days where multiple assessments may occur.  Have the conversation about changing or cancelling part time work or sporting commitments before those assessments. It is important all students can achieve their best as their SAC/SAT results go directly toward the VCE study score and subsequent ATAR.

For further information, please feel free to access the following link to our College Curriculum Handbook:

Mr Andrew McMellon                                                  Mr David Hansen

Learning Systems & Data Coach                             Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching