Principal's Report

Earlier this week, families of our students in Year 3 and Year 5 received results from the 2023 NAPLAN testing period. At the same time, the school received a summary of its results across both cohorts. Today I would like to share some further information on this, particularly as there has been significant change to how NAPLAN is assessed and reported on. 

The most significant change to NAPLAN this year is how student performance is reported. Instead of the previous ‘numerical band’ reporting, students are now assessed in each test under ‘proficiency standards’; exceeding, strong, developing and ‘needs additional support’. The proficiency standards have been developed to give families and schools a clearer understanding of the achievement levels of students in the NAPLAN suite of assessments. 

 All Victorian Government Schools receive cohort data that allows them to analyse their own performance against other schools. We received data compared to two discreet groups of ‘comparable’ schools:

• ‘Similar’ Schools – schools like ours, particularly including the number of students and the socio-economic and educative background of the families. 
• ‘Network’ Schools – over twenty of our neighbouring schools in the ‘SaGE’ (Stonnington and Glen Eira) network. 

The cohort data we received focused on the percentage of students who were assessed at the ‘strong’ and ‘exceeding’ proficiency levels. For the five tests for each NAPLAN assessment for both cohorts, Caulfield South Primary School performed as follows:

1. Year 3 NAPLAN Assessments: % of Students at ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’ Proficiency Levels

For ease of reading, I have coded the highest scoring (highest percentage) figures in green, followed by yellow and orange. As you can see, our school had more students performing at the strong or exceeding proficiency levels than both our ‘similar’ and ‘network’ peers, an outstanding achievement for our school. 

1. Year 5 NAPLAN Assessments: % of Students at ‘Strong’ or ‘Exceeding’ Proficiency Levels

Similarly for Year 5, our students outperformed their ‘similar’ and ‘network’ peers this year, with the only difference to the previous data being that our students had an equal percentage achieving at the highest proficiency levels in Reading as those at similar schools. 

So, what does this all mean? It is important to recognise that NAPLAN is one series of assessments that take a ‘snapshot’ of student learning at one particular time. The national assessment authority, in their communications with schools, recognise this by saying, ‘NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance’. 

It does mean that, in these tests and in this year, our students as cohorts are, on average, out-performing the cohorts of schools like ours. That is something that I am proud of. It reflects the outstanding teaching and learning programs that I have seen since entering this school. We will continue to focus on the ongoing improvement of these, despite our success in these tests. It also reflects that our students are working hard and ‘doing their best’, and that our families are committed to supporting the education of their children.

If you would like to ask any questions about NAPLAN testing, Georgia and I will run a short online session for families next week:

Monday 31st July @ 1:00pm

WebEx (link here).

Thanks for your ongoing support and keep doing your best. 

Rohan Cooper

Principal