Logan schools post average NAPLAN results after Covid chaos

One southside school, known for being in a low socio-economic area, has dazzled sceptics with its stellar NAPLAN results, achieved during a year of Covid chaos. SEE THE FULL LIST

Both private and public schools in Logan posted some outstanding NAPLAN results for 2021.

However, a year of Covid chaos, following a year of no NAPLAN testing in 2020, took its toll on Logan’s 68 primary and secondary schools, compared with schools across the state.

While most of Logan schools scored close to the national average, only a few hit above average scores in areas of reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy.

Leading the way was private school John Paul College at Daisy Hill, which took out the top spots for both primary and high school results.

Its primary school scored 988.6, nudging out St Philomena’s at Park Ridge which chalked up a total of 979.2 and Canterbury College which came in third with an overall score of 958.8.

The three schools also took out top spots at the high school level, with John Paul College coming first with a score of 1193.8, St Philomena’s second with 1180.2 and Canterbury College in third on 1165.4.

John Paul College’s Year 9 students attained above-average results in writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy, showing great improvement in writing, scoring 597 compared to the national average of 551.

They also posted above average results for numeracy scoring 637 compared to the Australian average of 588 with the top score of 647.

Principal Karen Spiller said John Paul College said the hard work had paid off with strong NAPLAN results.

The college’s Year 3 students excelled in grammar, posting a score of 487, beating the average of 477 scored by similar schools and well above the national average of 433.

Principal Karen Spiller, who announced her retirement this week, said the results were testimony to the hard work of students and staff.

“They have made sure the school delivers every day on our purpose to educate, inspire and make a difference,” Ms Spiller said.

Beenleigh State High School, known for being in a lower socio-economic area, dazzled naysayers with its better-than-average NAPLAN results for Year 9, achieved in reading, spelling, grammar and numeracy.

The school posted a respectable overall scored of 1053.8

For the first time, parents could compare their child’s results with students at schools of similar backgrounds.

Beenleigh’s Year 9 students scored 556 for reading compared to 501, the average for schools of a similar background.

Beenleigh, which has 1767 students, was also one of the first in the state to conduct the testing online under the guidance of school principal Matt O’Hanlon.

Acting school principal George Bartlett was pleased the school’s NAPLAN results had improved overall.

“It’s evident that out success lies in the gains achieved from Year 7 to Year 9 and the efforts of our teachers and our excellent programs to improve student outcomes,” Mr Bartlett said.

Beenleigh State High School principal Matt O’Hanlon talks to students. Year 9 students scored higher than most other similar schools in spelling.

Numeracy was a strong point for the school’s Year 7 to 9 students, with 63 per cent posting better results than their previous NAPLAN test.

The Year 9 students exceeded the benchmarks in spelling scoring 570 compared to 553, the average scored from similar background schools. It was just under the national score of 580.

Nearby Beenleigh State School also did well, posting an overall score of 883 with its for reading and writing scores higher than the national average in Year 3.

Loganlea State High School Year 9 scored 567 in spelling, beating the average of 554 for similar schools but just under the national average of 580. Its overall score was 1037.4.

Principal Brenton Farleigh was proud of Year 7 class performance.

“In reading, the students scored 94.7 per cent which is above the national and regional average.,” Mr Farleigh said.

“We also had a significant improvement in Year 9 writing results over the past four years. We increased the number of students at national minimum standard by 25 per cent over that time.”

Loganlea State High School principal Brenton Farleigh said he was proud of the results which showed great improvement.

“I put them down to Loganlea having outstanding teachers that are working together to support students in reaching their true potential,” Mr Farleigh said.

Marsden State High School, always a top performer, posted an overall score of 1031.4 with its Year 7 beating the average in spelling and scoring 530 compared to similar schools average of 527 and the national average of 548.

Principal Andrew Peach said he had expected strong results.

Logan schools post average NAPLAN results after Covid chaos: Marsden State High principal Andrew Peach said his year 7 students posted top-class results in spelling.

“We had an overall 10 per cent improvement in our Year 9 writing results too, which was not as obvious from the statistics,” Mr Peach said.

“It does make a difference for parents to be able to compare schools of similar socio-economic backgrounds.

“On the whole, Marsden students fared well considering all the Covid disruptions.”

Eagleby South State School also achieved higher-than-average scores for Year 5 in reading, grammar and numeracy. The school recorded a well-deserved overall average of 857.4.

Mabel Park State High school, known for catering to students from different backgrounds, also made its mark in spelling, with students beating the average for schools of similar backgrounds. It posted the second lowest score of 991.

Woodridge rounded up the bottom of the Logan school table with the lowest overall score of 986.6.

North State School Year 5 students cracked the average for similar schools in reading and grammar.

St Francis College in Crestmead at Logan was also named as one of the top improving schools in the state, with principal John Marinucci saying it was “a joy” to be involved with the school.

“These NAPLAN results are a testament to the hard work and curiosity of our students and the passion of our teachers who really want the best for their students,” he said.

The school was recognised for its improvement in Year 3 to 5 numeracy with 68 per cent of the cohort achieving above average progress when compared to students with the same starting score.

Worst primary school performers included Burrowes State School, Berrinba East State School, Yarrabilba State School’s Year 3 and St Clare’s Primary School also at Yarrabilba.