Principal's Message

NAPLAN

In the last week or so, our Year 5, 7 and 9 students have been busy completing the National Program in Literacy and Numeracy Tests - Online (NAPLAN). Nationally, NAPLAN testing is conducted annually across all schools. This year, NAPLAN Testing was scheduled somewhat earlier in March. At ‘NAPLAN time’, we continue to see various reports in the media, often presenting very conflicting views that begin to question the validity of such testing, and indeed, school - based assessments generally. Many such commentaries contend that NAPLAN testing becomes the sole focus of teaching programs in some schools and can cause undue stress for students, while other reports suggest that teachers (and school systems) are not able to correctly interpret NAPLAN results or address any perceived learning deficiencies.

This is certainly not the case at Trinity College. Our boys approached the NAPLAN testing in a sincere and considered manner and our teachers are very skilled at interpreting evaluative data. In fact, teachers are often able to assist in diagnosing issues with literacy and numeracy long before the results of NAPLAN. As a result of such analysis, the College has introduced targeted literacy and numeracy programs aimed at addressing perceived learning gaps for some of our students. Our own long-term data analysis points to their ongoing success.

At Trinity College, we broadly support any testing that provides schools, educational systems and governments with consistent and reliable data upon which future policy direction can be determined. NAPLAN results are just one such data source and our College frequently derives further data from other forms of testing. We also recognise that these tests only provide a ‘point in time’ snapshot of student capabilities and that drawing meaningful conclusions from such data has its limitations. Importantly, as a College, we are keen to analyse what may be revealed about our school in the process of standardised testing. While our recent NAPLAN results have been very good and have served to affirm our practice and processes, if a deficiency was discovered in any particular year cohort, or for a particular group of students, it is important to acknowledge and address this.

I feel that the ongoing public debate on this national testing gives NAPLAN a status which it neither seeks, nor deserves. While targeted research around its place within the educational sphere continues, it currently remains as a nationally recognised standardised test that provides valuable information on student progress. It does have a place within the myriad of initiatives that seek to improve the educational outcomes for students. As a College, we will continue to give due diligence to its administration and its analysis. However, we will not consume valuable time or place undue stress on our boys by ‘teaching to the test’. We will continue to adopt a broad perspective which emphasises a well-rounded education designed to assist families in the formation of good young men. This should always be the aim of a good education and very much at the core of our Mission as a College.

Live Jesus in our hearts.

Leave

On a very different note, I wish to inform the College Community that I will be enjoying an extended period of Leave for five weeks commencing at the start of Term 2. Formally, I will be attending the 2nd Global Edmund Rice Education Congress in Dublin during mid-May. The Congress will see school and system leaders from over 280 schools and 28 countries gather to share the collective energy, ideas and vision of Edmund Rice Education from around the world and come together to develop partnerships across borders and cultures.

I will also be taking some time to travel beautiful Ireland with my wife in the lead up to the Congress itself. I will be on Leave for Weeks 1-5 of Term 2. In my absence Mrs Sabrina Hughes will be the Acting Principal; Mr Anthony Byrne will be the Acting Vice Principal; and Ms Amanda Marocchi will be the Acting Deputy Principal of Mission and Engagement. I wish them all the very best in these roles. In my pending absence, I also wish to take this opportunity to wish all students and families a Happy and Holy Easter, a wonderful Term break and I trust the Year 12 boys will appreciate and enjoy their Senior Ball.