Last year, I had the privilege of covering a Year 9 class for a teacher who was absent. Arriving at the classroom, I greeted the students who were chatting nervously amongst themselves. When I enquired as to what was causing their concern, they outlined their anxiety and worry regarding the NAPLAN assessment that they were to complete later that day.
With NAPLAN set to occur in just a couple of weeks for our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9s, these feelings of unease, nervousness and apprehension are commonly felt by students (and also some parents too). The National Assessment Program website states that “NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress.”
While the MySchools website and various media outlets compare school results, the NAPLAN assessments are merely a snapshot of each student at one point in time on one particular day. How they perform in these tests does not define them, it does not change the way their teachers treat them and it has no impact on their academic reports.
At Avondale School, our mission is to provide students with the opportunity to know Christ, develop their full potential and cultivate a love of learning. We also desire for our students to enjoy having the chance to show what they know, whether that be on a stage, on the sports field, in the classroom or anywhere else, and to cheer them on along the way.
Conversing with the group of fretting Year 9 students, I reminded them that the data obtained via the NAPLAN tests provide information about the learning of each student which allows teachers to better understand, plan for and teach each child. Concluding the discussion, I simply asked them to do their very best for me so that I, in turn, can do my very best for them, to which a student replied “now that’s a good plan”.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever work you do, do your best.”
Thank you for your continued support of your student’s learning by encouraging them to do their very best in everything that they do.
Mr Darren Martin
Secondary Academic Coordinator
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