Students teach rivals a lesson in NAPLAN subjects

Schools across Western Sydney are blitzing NAPLAN tests, achieving higher results across multiple subject areas compared to similar schools nationally. Analysis of results for over 650 schools in the region found 61 have outperformed others nationally.

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Western and southwestern Sydney primary schools are outperforming students at similar schools across the country across key NAPLAN subjects.

The Daily Telegraph looked at the NAPLAN results of more than 650 schools across Western Sydney and found students at 122 primary schools achieved results “above” or “substantially above” other schools with similar students in at least three subjects.

The results of students with a similar Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA), were compared by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority to determine how schools fared against others with similar challenges and opportunities.

Pushkar Bhardwaj, 12, Chidinma Nwanoka, 12, Kyle Candelaria, 12, and Jasmine Fadeli, 12, at Holy Spirit Catholic College in Lakemba. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

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Year 3 students at St Francis Xavier’s School, Ermington West Public School, Christ the King School and Sherwood Hills Christian School achieved results significantly above similar schools in numeracy, grammar, writing and reading.

While Year 5s at Al-Faisal College, Carlingford West Public School, Castlereagh Public School, St Christopher’s School and Eschol Park Public School excelled at maths comparatively.

Fairfield Heights Public School ranked higher than other schools with a similar Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) in every subject.

The school’s Year 3 and 5 students scored “substantially above” in writing, spelling and grammar.

NSW Primary Principals Association president Phil Seymour credits the education department’s Early Action for Success program for the strong results. Picture: Hollie Adams

Students in Year 7 at Cabramatta High School achieved significantly higher in spelling compared with similar schools nationally.

NSW Primary Principals Association president Phil Seymour said he credited the education department’s Early Action for Success program for the strong results in Western and southwest Sydney.

“It has been a phenomenal resource that schools have tapped into with instructional leaders supporting classroom teachers,” he said.

Mr Seymour said the use of equity funding through the Gonski model had also boosted schools in need of extra support.

“The only way is up absolutely,” he said. “These additional resources, smaller class sizes, all there to get best out of our kids and if the Gonski funds flow through after the federal election I think that will be an enormous boost for all schools.”

Grattan Institute education researcher Peter Goss said schools in Western Sydney which had improved were not overnight success stories, but rather the product of sustained effort from teaching staff.

“Consistent improvement doesn’t just happen by chance,“ he said.

Mr Goss said schools were using data to identify opportunities for improvement.

Glebe Public School students Yaylen Parks, Liana Ridzal and Jake Granger. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Western and south west Sydney schools achieving “above” or “substantially above” similar schools in at least three subject areas in both Years 3 and 5

ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Al Noori Muslim School, Greenacre

Al-Faisal College, Auburn

Auburn North Public School

Bonnyrigg Heights Public School

Cabramatta Public School

Cabramatta West Public School

Canley Vale Public School

Carlingford West Public School

Castlereagh Public School

Christ the King School, Yagoona

Eschol Park Public School

Excelsior Public School

Fairfield Heights Public School

Good Shepherd Primary School, Hoxton Park

Green Valley Islamic College

Greenacre Baptist Christian Community School

Harrington Street Public School, Cabramatta

Holy Saviour School, Greenacre

Macarthur Anglican School, Cobbitty

Madang Avenue Public School, Whalan

Mary Immaculate Primary School, Bossley Park

Matthew Pearce Public School, Baulkham Hills

Mulgoa Public School

Murray Farm Public School, North Rocks

Oakhill Drive Public School, Castle Hill

Old Guildford Public School

Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, Fairfield

Sacred Heart School, Villawood

Sacred Heart School, Cabramatta

St Bernadette’s Primary School, Dundas

St Brendan Catholic Primary School, Bankstown

St Felix’s Catholic Primary School, Bankstown

St Francis Xavier’s School, Lurnea

St Gertrude’s Primary School, Smithfield

St Joseph’s Primary School, Moorebank

The King’s School, North Parramatta

Windsor South Public School

North Sydney Girls High School.

Western and south west Sydney schools achieving “above” or “substantially above” similar schools in at least three subject areas in Years 7 and 9

ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Al Noori Muslim School, Greenacre

Al-Faisal College, Auburn

Auburn Girls High School

Australian Islamic College of Sydney

Baulkham Hills High School

Blacktown Boys High School

Blacktown Girls High School

Bonnyrigg High School

Cabramatta High School

Canley Vale High School

Fairvale High School

Girraween High School

Green Valley Islamic College

Hurlstone Agricultural High School

James Ruse Agricultural High School, Carlingford

Macarthur Girls High School, Parramatta

Macquarie Fields High School

Montgrove College

Moorebank High School

Parramatta High School

Penrith High School

Prairiewood High School

Sefton High School

Trinity Catholic College, Auburn