Gooburrum State School among Bundaberg’s most improved NAPLAN schools

Leaders of the Bundaberg schools which recorded the biggest improvements to NAPLAN results have shared their secrets to success. See who topped the list.

Gooburrum State School's Alex Wedel competing in the October Childrens Chess Tournament at Avoca State School.

The biggest NAPLAN improvers for schools in the Bundaberg region have been revealed along with the schools which have gone backwards.

Gooburrum State School recorded the biggest improvement for a primary school with the average Year 5 NAPLAN results increasing by 10.21 per cent over the past five years.

Gooburrum State School principal Halli Cantrell said the results brought her great pride as a leader and educator.

“If students see themselves as successful learners, they grow in confidence to take on new learning and take risks in doing so,” Mrs Cantrell said.

“This is something that is so vital for our young people, to frame their self-perception in a positive way,” she said.

Mrs Cantrell said the secret to their success was managing the pressure when it came to test time, and making sure students were in a good mindset to learn.

“By not making a big deal out of the NAPLAN testing period when it comes up, we find that the students are less anxious and take it in their stride,” she said.

“We have very capable and dedicated teachers who work hard every day to make sure that every child in their care is provided with engaging learning tasks that are tailored to their capability levels,” she said.

Bullyard State School was the second best with an increase of 7.89 per cent followed by Elliott Heads State School with an increase of 7.06 per cent.

Gooburrum State School principal said the school focuses on celebrating life long education not just test results.

Meanwhile, Bundaberg Christian College recorded the biggest improvement for a secondary school with average year 9 NAPLAN results increasing by 0.21 per cent over the past five years of NAPLAN.

Bundaberg Christian College principal Paul Thompson said he was thrilled with the result and it was a testament to students and staff.

“It’s very exciting, as part of our strategic directions of school improvement we provide an intentional space to prepare our students for those later grades,” Mr Thompson said.

He said the school was focused on providing a safe and positive learning environment and improving student well being.

“These results are a good reflection of students feeling happy and safe,” he said.

Bundaberg State High School was the second best with a 0.0 per cent increase followed by Shalom College with a change of -1.36 per cent.

The analysis compared the five year change in NAPLAN results from 2017 and 2021 and revealed the schools which have improved their Year 5 and Year 9 student scores the most.

It was calculated by each school‘s combined results for each NAPLAN subject in 2017 and compared to the same results in 2021.

Meanwhile, Thabeban State School recorded the lowest improvement for a primary school with the average Year 5 NAPLAN results returning a result of -8.32 per cent over the past five years of NAPLAN.

While, Rosedale State School recorded the lowest improvement for a secondary school returning a result of -4.93 per cent over the past five years.

Bundaberg top primary school NAPLAN improvers over five years

Gooburrum State School: 10.21 per cent

Bullyard State School: 7.89 per cent

Elliott Heads State School: 7.06 per cent

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School: 6.47 per cent

Mount Perry State School: 6.2 per cent

Bundaberg top secondary school NAPLAN improvers over five years

Bundaberg Christian College: 0.21 per cent

Bundaberg State High School: 0.0 per cent

Shalom College: -1.36 per cent

St Luke’s Anglican School: -2.0 per cent

Isis District State High School: -2.51 per cent