Stella Newsletter
NAPLAN 2024
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual evaluation conducted in Australia for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It aims to identify student progression in literacy and numeracy skills over time. NAPLAN assesses what students have been learning in the classroom in their current and previous years at school, and is linked to the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics. They are tailored tests that adapt to a student’s performance, and are administered online.
Students in Years 7 and 9 will participate in NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy during Weeks 7 and 8 this term – 13 to 18 March. Catch-up sessions will occur during 19 to 22 March for students who are absent.
Students have been informed of these dates and reminded that they do not need to worry about the tests. In preparation for NAPLAN, the College will be conducting a practice test session with students during Week 6. This will provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with the online test format, functions and tools. Students do not need to be able to touch type to complete the tests. These practice tests are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Students are required to bring a fully charged laptop, earphones (please avoid Bluetooth devices to circumvent poor connectivity) and a pen/pencil to all NAPLAN tests.
Students can access the public demonstration site to further familiarise themselves with NAPLAN tests. However, excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended.
https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site
Adjustments in NAPLAN tests are permitted for students with disability to enable access to the tests on the same basis as students without disability. These adjustments will reflect the kind of support and assistance normally required for assessment in the classroom. Cath Douglas (Head of Inclusive Learning) will be organising these adjustments and will contact families as required. If you have any queries regarding NAPLAN adjustments, please contact Cath at Cathy_Douglas@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au.
NAPLAN tests are a routine part of the school calendar. However, students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer for reasons such as religious beliefs or philosophical objections to testing. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with the College and a formal application for withdrawal must be received prior to testing. If you wish to withdraw your child from NAPLAN please contact Kim Naylor (Director of Studies) at kim_naylor@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au and alternate academic activities will be arranged during the scheduled tests.
The data generated from NAPLAN provides valuable insight for students, parents/carers, teachers and schools, to support improvement in best teaching and learning practices.
All students who participate in NAPLAN will receive an individual report of their results in each assessment area. The results are classified into one of four proficiency levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support.
These reports are expected to be available in Term 3.
Some useful links for parents and carers regarding NAPLAN 2024 include:
https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers
Watch a video that explains tailored testing:
We wish our Year 7 and 9 students well for the NAPLAN tests.