Results reflect commitment
Wimmera school communities continue to absorb and reflect on figures that show Victorian children leading national literacy and numeracy expectations.
The State Government confirmed that despite COVID-19 pandemic challenges, Victorian children recorded the highest National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, NAPLAN, results of any state.
The figures, based on test results from students in years three, five, seven and nine, showed significant improvement on previous years.
Wimmera schools were part of the statewide assessment, contributing to the glowing Victorian result.
Horsham foundation-to-year-12 Holy Trinity Lutheran College was among schools that had students participating in the assessment in primary as well as secondary settings.
Principal Daniel Weller said apart from his school’s impressive results, overall statewide figures were also highly pleasing.
“We have to acknowledge for everyone the past year and this year have been very difficult for students, staff and families – the whole gamut,” he said.
“It has definitely been challenging, especially when we all want children to continue to learn and grow.
“It has been difficult for many and it has been pleasing to see that across the board our state has done well in this space.
“It’s very encouraging and helps inform what programs we can do and what we can do to make them even better. It’s also good to see that we’ve maintained and even improved on results from years past.
“It’s nice to show some real affirmation for students, staff and parents and all the work that’s gone into supporting the kids.”
The Lutheran college NAPLAN results showed about a 99 percent mark for literacy and 100 percent and above for numeracy – well above minimum expectations.
“We were well above averages and our trend is continuing to increase.
It’s great to provide good opportunities for learning,” Mr Weller said.
Student wellbeing and learning opportunities and parenting and teaching difficulties amid remote schooling have been a primary social concern during the pandemic.
Mr Weller said he looked forward to a positive future beyond the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning.
“We’ve all been there to support one another and now we’re all looking forward to restrictions easing and going back to some normality. We hope things change soon,” he said.
NAPLAN, which is an annual assessment
testing reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy across Australian students, is part of a National Assessment Program run on Education Ministers Meeting direction.
An Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority summary of NAPLAN 2021 is that the COVID-19 pandemic has had no significant import on student literacy and numeracy achievement at national or state and territory level.
Data also shows that compared with a 2008 base year, childhood numeracy and literacy levels have significantly improved.