2017 NAPLAN results

We continue to perform satisfactorily in NAPLAN in Middle School.

Below is a summary of the findings and a few points of interest. For comparative purposes, the column ‘similar schools’ is most helpful in assessing our results. ACARA use an algorithm to compare us to schools across Australia with similar demographics.

A full report on NAPLAN 2017 in Middle School will be made available to parents soon.

Points of Interest 

• Results across nearly all the domains continue to improve nationally, at state level and school level. This contradicts media reports and social media criticism about NAPLAN results.
• Our strongest growth areas are Reading and Numeracy in Year 9.
• Our weakest, and only, negative growth was Year 9 Grammar and Punctuation.
• Whilst we continue to align with results of similar schools in most areas, the speed of growth in similar schools is increasing faster than our speed of growth over time. We could have reached a plateau or even might be entering decline if our speed of growth does not pick up in the next few years.
• Students struggled to answer questions that required more than one answer and questions which asked students to consider multiple variables.
• Writing is our weakest area across the school, and nationally. Considerable work needs to be done across the curriculum to address this concern. In particular, the elements of developing logical paragraphs, using more Latin and Greek based vocabulary, and using a variety of complex sentence structures require improvement. Writing with these elements reflects more sophisticated thinking.
• On the other hand, our growth in Year 9 writing over the last six years has been very strong. Consider these averages for writing over time:

Six ways in which parents can support learning at the College

Parents can help support learning at school in many simple ways which do not require particular skills.

1. Frequent silent and sustained reading of fiction and non-fiction as a family is extremely important. Buy a cheap ‘IKEA’ bookcase and fill it with books from your own stock, second-hand shops and the local library! They are great places to visit together at all ages.
2. Encourage your son or daughter to complete detailed and thoughtful answers to questions for whatever subjects they are working on.
3. Encourage a general ‘can do’ attitude. Provide support but require students to complete work by themselves.
4. Insist on neat, clear and well-constructed writing (or setting out for Maths) at all times. Insist on capital letters, margins, dates, using a ruler, using spell check and similar tools.
5. Practise Times Tables and spelling at meal times or in the car, with spelling lists and tables around the home. Add in 13-25 Times Tables when all other Times Tables have been mastered.
6. In the main, Middle School students should complete about an hour of core subject homework a night, not including additional or recreational reading.

There is much to be thankful for and there are also several challenges ahead of us. Let us know how we can support you as we partner together in the best interest of the young people we serve.

Mrs Christine Crump

Head of Middle School