Most improved Tasmanian NAPLAN schools revealed in last 5 years

The biggest NAPLAN improvers for Tassie primary and high schools have been revealed along with the schools that have gone backwards. See who’s firing and who’s flopping >>

The biggest NAPLAN improvers for schools in Tasmania have been revealed — along with the schools that have gone backwards.

Riana Primary School, in the North-West, was the most improved primary school, with the average Year 5 NAPLAN results increasing by 18.64 per cent over the past five years.

Springfield Gardens Primary School in West Moonah recorded the biggest improvement for a primary school in the Hobart region, with the average Year 5 NAPLAN results increasing by 14.58 per cent over the past five years.

SEARCH THE TABLE: How does your school rank in NAPLAN results?

Indigo Lincoln, Harshal Sharma, and Nee Hser Ku at Springfield Gardens Primary School — the most improved secondary school for NAPLAN in the Hobart region. Picture: Linda Higginson

Springfield acting principal David Webster said while NAPLAN was not the focus for their teachers as it’s “a point-in-time test”, the school was happy with its achievements.

“The entire staff are extremely proud of the gains Springfield has made in NAPLAN,” Mr Webster said.

“The school has had a focus on reading and the improvements students have made in this area have translated to improved engagement and learning outcomes across the board.

“The data from NAPLAN is used alongside other data sets to understand where students are in their learning and to identify areas for individual, classroom, and school growth.”

Meanwhile, Dover District School recorded the biggest improvement for a secondary school in Tasmania, with the average Year 9 NAPLAN results increasing by 13.19 per cent over five years.

Hilliard Christian School in West Moonah was the most improved secondary school in the Hobart region, with an 11.14 per cent bump in Year 9 scores over five years.

Hilliard Christian School principal Elizabeth Chaplin expressed her pride at the achievement of the school’s cohort of 17 Year 9 students.

“I am thrilled to see that Hilliard is demonstrating such great improvement. This is testimony to the quality teaching and learning that takes place in all our classrooms every day,” Ms Chaplin said.

“Staff at Hilliard value quality and positive relationships with students. They create caring classroom environments which cater for the individual differences that exist in our diverse, multicultural school.”

Ms Chaplin said the introduction of targeted learning programs, MacqLit, MultiLit and Elementary Maths Mastery, had helped students develop skills and confidence.

The Hilliard School is looking to a bright 2023 with the completion of 10 new learning spaces, including science laboratories, plus the introduction for Year 9 level of a Learning for Life program.

Hilliard Christian School students Paw Law Eh, left, Ryan Ngure Gachanja and Tanisha Rai making use of new science laboratories. Picture: Supplied.

Prospect High School was the most improved secondary school in the Launceston region, with a 6.48 per cent lift in Year 9 results over five years.

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, Winnaleah District High School recorded the lowest improvement for Year 5 results, returning a result of -12.96 per cent over the past five years of NAPLAN.

Interestingly, the school was among the most improved in the state for Year 9 results, seeing a 10.74 per cent increase over five years.

The other lowest performing Tassie schools for Year 5 NAPLAN results were St Joseph’s Catholic School in Rosebery (-9.76%), North West Christian School in Penguin (-8.89%), Stanley Primary School (-8.41%) and Molesworth Primary School (-8.18%).

For Year 9 results, the lowest performing Tassie schools were Yolla District School (-11.12%), Jordan River Learning Fedeartion Senior School in Bridgewater (-8.87%), Tarremah Steiner School at Huntingfield (-7.78%), Newstead Christian School (-6.77%) and Star of the Sea Catholic College in George Town (-6.58%).

Tassie’s top primary school NAPLAN improvers over five years

1. Riana Primary School, Riana
2. Springfield Gardens Primary School, West Moonah
3. Peregrine, Nicholls Rivulet
4. Geneva Christian College, Latrobe
5. Warrane Primary School, Warrane
6. John Paul II Catholic School, Clarendon Vale
7. Clarendon Vale Primary School, Clarendon Vale
8. Cooee Primary School, Cooee
9. Havenview Primary School, Havenview
10. Triabunna District School, Triabunna

Tassie’s top secondary school NAPLAN improvers over five years

1. Dover District School, Dover
2. Hilliard Christian School, West Moonah
3. Campania District School, Campania
4. Winnaleah District High School, Winnaleah
5. Lambert School, North Hobart
6. Sheffield School, Sheffield
7. Cressy District High School, Cressy
8. Prospect High School, Prospect
9. OneSchool Global Tas, Claremont
10. Reece High School, Devonport