Townsville and North Queensland’s most improved schools

The most improved primary school cohorts in Townsville and North Queensland have been revealed following the 2019 NAPLAN release.

The most improved primary school cohorts in Townsville and North Queensland have been revealed following the 2019 NAPLAN release.

Results across the North Queensland region found Year 5 students at Townsville Central State School improved their NAPLAN scores more than any other cohort in the region.

To find how each cohort improved, the school’s average NAPLAN score was compared to the state’s average score for 2017 Year 3 and 2019 Year 5.

Students at Townsville Central State School improved their average score by 22.9 points from Year 3 to Year 5, the biggest improvement in North Queensland.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE TOP 10 MOST IMPROVED

The second most improved primary school was Calvary Christian College (Mount Louisa) where average scores improved 22.7 points from Year 3 to Year 5 while Kirwan State School was third where scores improved 20.7 points.

For high schools, St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie at Abergowrie was the most improved with an improvement score of 67.2 followed by Blackheath and Thornburgh College where scores improved 30.2 points.

Across Queensland the most improved school was Aurukun State School where the Year 5 cohort improved the average NAPLAN score by 70.66 points compared to their 2016 results.

The NAPLAN test remains controversial among educators and parents with concerns it does not fully capture everything a student learns at school.

A Queensland Government response to an independent review of the test stated NAPLAN remained important to maintain school accountability.

At the time Queensland education minister Grace Grace called for a nation-wide review of the test.

But the test is seen as an important way to view a school cohort at one moment in time and schools use the results to improve teaching.

North Queensland’s top 10 most improved Yr 5 cohort:

Townsville Central State School: 22.9 point increase

Calvary Christian College (Mount Louisa): 22.7 point increase

Kirwan State School: 20.7 point increase

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School: 19.5 point increase

St Joseph’s Catholic School (North Ward): 14.7 point increase

Heatley State School: 13.9 point increase

St Clare’s School (Tully): 12.5 point increase

Belgian Gardens State School: 11.3 point increase

Tully State School: 8.3 point increase

St Francis’ School (Ayr): 7.9 point increase

North Queensland’s top 10 most improved Yr 9 cohort:

St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie: 67.2 point increase

Blackheath and Thornburgh College: 30.2 point increase

Columba Catholic College (Mount Carmel Campus): 17.4 point increase

St Margaret Mary’s College: 14.4 point increase

Thuringowa State High School: 13.0 point increase

Home Hill State High School: 12.8 point increase

Annandale Christian College: 11.0 point increase

Southern Cross Catholic College (Annandale): 10.0 point increase

Northern Beaches State High School: 9.6 point increase

William Ross State High School: 9.0 point increase

Originally published as Townsville and North Queensland’s most improved schools