Top performing Clarence Valley NAPLAN schools revealed in past 5 years

The best performing schools in the Clarence Valley region have been revealed. See which schools are leading the way.

Clarence Valley Anglican School has recruited new teachers, reinvigorating the school. Picture: Clarence Valley Anglican School

Clarence Valley Anglican School is the top performing NAPLAN school in Clarence Valley.

An independent analysis of five years of NAPLAN results has revealed the schools which consistently performed the best in the Year 5 and Year 9 tests between 2017 and 2021.

Over that five-year period, Clarence Valley Anglican School (CVAS), in Clarenza, had higher Year 5 yearly results than any other school in the Clarence Valley, scoring an average of 2533.7 each year.

CVAS principal Karin Lisle said the great result was pleasing and she credited her teachers.

“We’re really pleased about the result, it shows how dedicated our staff are,” Ms Lisle said.

She said the key was providing a positive teaching atmosphere and one-on-one support, with counsellors and chaplains available.

“A happy student is a well-learning student,” Ms Lisle said.

She said the school focused on providing a learning experience emphasising direct teaching, rather than older styles.

“Modern research has shown that kids learn best with direct teaching rather than just absorbing information,” she said.

Leading the way in NAPLAN in the Clarence Valley, Clarence Valley Anglican School principal Karin Lisle credits her teachers for providing a positive learning atmosphere. Picture: Clarence Valley Anglican School

Ms Lisle said younger teachers joined their ranks after experienced teachers moved on, which helped to reinvigorate the school.

By having a stable workforce with staff teaching exclusively their speciality, teachers at CVAS can focus their efforts. Ms Lisle said teacher shortages across the region impacted NAPLAN results.

Programs at CVAS such as the Literacy and Numeracy Action Plan (LNAP) aid children falling behind.

“If a student is starting to fail, we put steps in place right from the start so they don’t reach that level and can keep learning,” Ms Lisle said.

The school provides tailored one-on-one teaching to ensure no student is left behind. Picture: Clarence Valley Anglican School

Ms Lisle said the approach continues into senior years, with kids progress closely monitored.

“We focus a lot on preparing our Year 5 and 6s for high school, which is a different beast entirely,” she said.

The Year 5 and 6 student are taught at the same campus as the seniors at the Clarenza Campus and they mix with older peers.

St James‘ Primary School in Yamba was the second best for the region with an average score of 2505.5, while Chatsworth Island Public School in Chatsworth was the third best with an average score of 2499.5.

The top performing Year 9 school was Clarence Valley Anglican School, in Clarenza, where the average yearly result was 2885.33 over the five years.

Clarence Valley Anglican School topped the NAPLAN results. Picture: Clarence Valley Anglican School

Clarence Valley Anglican School, in Clarenza had higher Year 5 yearly results than any other school in the Clarence Valley. Picture: Clarence Valley Anglican School

McAuley Catholic College in Clarenza was the second best for the region with an average score of 2817.25, while St Andrew's Christian School in Grafton was the third best with an average score of 2798.25.

To determine how each school performed between 2017 and 2021, their average scores for each year were combined and the yearly average found.

Special schools, schools with fewer than 20 students enrolled in either year, and schools that did not report any results for NAPLAN subjects in either year were excluded from the analysis.

The figures were independently compiled from the Federal Government‘s MySchool website.

Clarence Valley‘s best performing Year 5 schools between 2017 and 2021:

– Clarence Valley Anglican School: 2533.7

– St James‘ Primary School: 2505.5

– Chatsworth Island Public School: 2499.5

– St Mary's Primary School: 2498.3

– Lawrence Public School: 2444.0

– Yamba Public School: 2443.8

– St Joseph's Primary School: 2430.3

– St Andrew's Christian School: 2412.0

– Iluka Public School: 2407.0

Clarence Valley‘s best performing Year 9 schools between 2017 and 2021:

– Clarence Valley Anglican School: 2885.333

– McAuley Catholic College: 2817.25

– St Andrew's Christian School: 2798.25

– Maclean High School: 2779.0

– Grafton High School: 2733.5

– Pacific Valley Christian School: 2722.25

– South Grafton High School: 2671.0

– Bonalbo Central School: 2638.75