Mackay and Whitsundays most improved NAPLAN schools revealed

Mackay and Whitsunday region schools share what it takes to turn the tables on NAPLAN.

AN ANALYSIS of five years' worth of NAPLAN results has revealed the schools that have improved their Year 5 and Year 9 student scores the most.

The Mackay and Whitsunday school that improved their Year 5 results the most between 2015 and 2019 was Finch Hatton State School, in Finch Hatton, where the average results across all subjects climbed 11.9 per cent.

Finch Hatton State School's teaching principal Maxine Newton said there was no real secret to the school's success.

"It's really been quite simple, we're really focusing on reading and literacy," Ms Newton said.

"Strong readers have great potential to do well in all subjects."

Ms Newton said support from parents who understood and supported academic expectations was also key to success.

Average Year 9 results at Whitsunday Christian College, in Cannonvale, increased by six per cent, the biggest improvement in Mackay and Whitsunday.

Whitsunday Christian College principal Mark Ogilvie said part and parcel of the school's academic success was the whole culture of the school community.

"Our school started off in 1997 as a very small school and it's consistently grown over that time, with a few dips along the way," Mr Ogilvie said.

 

 

"But this year our numbers are up 10 per cent from the previous year and we're forecasted to grow another 10 per cent in the coming year.

"As we grow numerically our culture strengthens and becomes more diverse."

Mr Ogilvie said the culture was focused on good pastoral care and nurturing each student while at the same time creating strong academic structures.

"We have recently resurrected our learning support program, and comprises a team of teacher aids who help diagnose students needs and assist with those needs in the classroom," he said.

"And that individual, one-on-one approach has allowed for us to improve greatly over the past five years."

The analysis compared each school's combined results for each NAPLAN subject in 2015 and compared to the same results in 2019.

Mackay and Whitsunday's second biggest improvement in Year 5 results over those five years was Carlisle Adventist Christian College, in Beaconsfield, where scores increased 8.8 per cent.

The third biggest Year 5 improver was Whitsunday Christian College, in Cannonvale, where results increased 7.7 per cent over the five-year period.

The Mackay and Whitsunday school with the second biggest Year 9 improvement between 2015 and 2019 was Pioneer State High School, in Andergrove, where results improved 4.6 per cent.

Average results at Collinsville State High School, in Collinsville, increased 4.2 per cent, the third highest increase in Mackay and Whitsunday.

For the full list of schools visit dailymercury.com.au

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