Teaching and Learning News
NAPLAN 2023
NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy) assesses literacy and numeracy – important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life.
If your child is in Year 3, 5, 7 or 9 this year, they will be participating in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us make sure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development over time.
This year, between 15th and 27th March, our school will be doing NAPLAN Online. (Year Three writing test will continue to be a paper and pencil test.) These dates have been moved forward from the usual May testing period.
Students will complete 4 tests, the longest being 50 minutes and the shortest 40 minutes.
One of the main features of NAPLAN Online is that it is a tailored (or adaptive) test.
Tailored testing also provides more precise results and is more engaging for students.
The NAPLAN Online tests adapt to student responses, presenting questions that may be easier or more difficult, to better assess the student’s ability.
Students should not be concerned if they think that the questions are more difficult than expected – this may simply mean that they are taking a more challenging but more appropriate pathway.
This ‘tailored testing’ approach means that a wider range of student abilities can be tested (compared with the paper approach, where all students answer exactly the same questions).
Year Three writing test will continue to be a paper and pencil test.
Your child’s NAPLAN result will be based on the number and difficulty of questions he or she has answered correctly.
Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN.
You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best.
As one aspect of a school's assessment and reporting process, NAPLAN results should always be interpreted with care. Your child’s teacher will have the best insight into your child’s progress.
You can assist your child to be familiar with the online test by having a try at home using this site. NAP - Public demonstration site
All Year 3 and Year 5 students will complete practice tests over the next two weeks within their regular learning program.
For more information about NAPLAN see following link: Information for parents and carers 2023
To learn how ACARA handles personal information for NAPLAN, visit nap.edu.au/naplan/privacy
It is important to remember the NAPLAN tests provide a photograph of a student's performance on the day and although it has benefits for our knowledge of individual and school successes and challenges, it is but one measure of success.
It doesn’t tell us everything that makes each student who they are, that makes them amazing.
The NAPLAN tests do not assess all of what makes each person special and unique.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please ask your child's teacher or give me a call.
The SMDP NAPLAN schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday March 15th - Writing
- Thursday March 16th - Reading & Conventions of Language (grammar, spelling etc)
- Tuesday March 21st - Numeracy
(This schedule is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control)
Authors @ SMDP
We all know an engaging and entertaining piece of writing when we read it. What makes you want to pick up a piece of writing and read it?
Is it the suspenseful plot, is it the beauty and emotion found in poetry, is it learning about history from different perspectives, is it the stories that transport you to a different world?
At SMPD we want all students to love writing, have the skills to write and want to write.
Our students are learning that every word they choose to write is important and has a purpose. These words impact what the reader sees, thinks or feels.
Meet Marlee - Author and fan of Wings of fire, Expert in writing, Sister of Oscar, Friend of Jacqlyn, Collector of money…..
The Mysterious Tunnel
Through the darkish, bronze tunnel, spiders crawl up the wall. I hear a child's voice echo "Hello?"
I was wondering what was at the end.
When I got to the end I saw a tiny door and it opened. I said "Hello".
Then the music came. The door grew. "Da, da, da, daaaa". I saw….everything.
I saw pandas dancing, ducks singing. It was wonderland. There was fish flipping, rhinos rolling in mud.
An old tunnel to a wonderland.
The End.
We look forward to watching our SMDP authors grow as skillful writers who just love writing!
Elise Coghlan
Co-Deputy Principal | Literacy & Numeracy Leader | Visible Learning Leader
Denise Kelly
Co-Deputy Principal | Learning & Teaching Leader