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NAPLAN: best-performing Catholic and Independent schools in the southern suburbs

Independent schools have received some of the best NAPLAN results in the southern suburbs. See the full list of southern schools.

Linden Park Primary reveals key schooling strategies

Independent schools have recorded the best NAPLAN results in the southern suburbs.

Southern Montessori School in O’Sullivan Beach recorded some of the highest results consistently across all tested year levels.

Principal Heather McInerney said the Galloway Rd school doesn’t put much focus on NAPLAN but it provides a useful experience for students.

“We do see it as a practical life skill because throughout the rest of their lives whether it’s at high school or university, children are going to be expected to take tests,” Mrs McInerney said.

“So it’s really about managing themselves in a potentially stressful situation and learning how you do that and how you take a test and for us that’s where the value of it lies.”

The NAPLAN – or National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy – tests in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy are written by all Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students.

Southern Montessori School principal Heather McInerney with Felix 9 and students Progga 8, Jai 11, Lachlan 8, Maya 7 and Sophie 9. Picture: Matt Turner
Southern Montessori School principal Heather McInerney with Felix 9 and students Progga 8, Jai 11, Lachlan 8, Maya 7 and Sophie 9. Picture: Matt Turner

Southern Montessori School rated in the top four for average results across all year levels.

Pilgrim School in Aberfoyle Park and Southern Vales Christian College in Morphett Vale also recorded consistently good results.

The results provide a snapshot into how schools fare in meeting national benchmarks.

“We’ve got quite a few different indicators of success so it’s not just about NAPLAN being the only indicator,” Mrs McInerney said.

“We have a very structured and sequential curriculum which we track children carefully through … so the results aren’t usually a surprise for us.

“What NAPLAN does allow us to do which is really useful is to look at cohorts of students and to look at the growth over time and that’s probably the most useful aspect to us.”

SCROLL DOWN TO SEARCH NAPLAN RESULTS FOR EVERY SOUTHERN SCHOOL

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Mrs McInerney credits the school’s Montessori based learning approach for its success.

The Montessori approach encourages child-led learning and independence.

“Another fundamental of Montessori is to give children as much choice with their work as we possibly can,” Mrs McInerney said.

“Which also helps to make them feel more empowered with their learning and it raises those interest levels.”

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/south/naplan-bestperforming-catholic-and-independent-schools-in-the-southern-suburbs/news-story/4adee50008fb1bc1472abcb89993e972