Top improving central west NAPLAN schools revealed in last 5 years
The biggest NAPLAN improvers for schools in the state’s central west region have been revealed along with the schools which have gone backwards. Find the results here.
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Kandos Public School in the state’s central west recorded the biggest improvement for a primary school with the average Year 5 NAPLAN results increasing by 11.66 per cent over the past five years of NAPLAN.
Tottenham Central School was the second best with an increase of 11.01 per cent followed by Bathurst West Public School at Bathurst with an increase of 10.85 per cent.
Meanwhile, Trundle Central School in Trundle recorded the biggest improvement for a secondary school with average year 9 NAPLAN results increasing by 7.59 per cent over the past five years of NAPLAN.
Baradine Central School was the second best with a 7.55 per cent increase followed by Portland Central School at Portland with an increase of 5.88 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, Wongarbon Public School in Wongarbon recorded the lowest improvement for a primary school with the average Year 5 NAPLAN results returning a result of -24.9 per cent over the past five years of NAPLAN.
While, Warren Central School in Warren recorded the lowest improvement for a secondary school returning a result of -8.01 per cent over the past five years.
Speaking to The Dubbo News, Kandos Public School principal Phillip Morley said the results were “very pleasing”.
“Kandos Public School has a clear vision to carefully follow our strategic directions to improve student learning outcomes for all students including our disadvantaged, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, [those] with a disability and students working beyond stage level who are high potential and/or gifted,” Mr Morley said.
“We endeavour that all staff will instruct with quality teaching practices through a targeted approach and use data to inform all practices and decision making at a local level.”
The ‘What Works Best’ policy adopted by the school has seen the school implement positive classroom management strategies, explicit teaching and holding high expectations.
“We focus on wellbeing and high engagement to encourage all students to consistently attend, love learning and be happy at Kandos Public School,” Mr Morley continued.
“Lifelong learning is regularly talked about with staff and we foster all teachers to be instructional leaders through high impact professional learning and collaboration.
“Careful planning and a systematic approach that is underpinned by a strong efficacy that all students can achieve drives our strong growth in students achievement and NAPLAN success.
“We identify our strengths and regularly assess our performance to improve and reflect this in our implementation and progress monitoring documents.
“At Kandos Public School, we encourage students to be safe, respectful and on task. Students are the centre of every decision we make at Kandos Public School, we always have their best interests at the forefront of our collegial discussions. We value our students, the community and parent engagement and look forward to 2023.”
Despite being delighted with the results, Trundle Central School principal John Southon is looking at the bigger picture.
“We teach the whole child and the building of self-esteem, positive relationship building, parent support, acknowledgment of the individual, celebrating all achievement and innovative thinking is transferred to improved results,” Mr Southon said.
“Every staff member contributes to this culture from the general assistant who has the grounds in amazing condition through to the principal.
“Simply if you do not have pastoral care as a primary focus in your school your academic results will not improve in my opinion. This may not be popular thinking in a world that wants to constantly test literacy and numeracy like we are appraising robots rather than teaching the whole child.”
Central West NSW top primary school NAPLAN improvers over five years
- Kandos Public School: 11.66 per cent
- Tottenham Central School: 11.01 per cent
- Bathurst West Public School: 10.85 per cent
- Lake Cargelligo Central School: 10.51 per cent
- Grenfell Public School: 9.27 per cent
Central West NSW top secondary school NAPLAN improvers over five years
- Trundle Central School: 7.59 per cent
- Baradine Central School: 7.55 per cent
- Portland Central School: 5.88 per cent
- Trangie Central School: 5.66 per cent
- Nyngan High School: 3.81 per cent
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