Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) schools have delayed the start of annual NAPLAN testing due to the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Many of its 146 schools across South-East Queensland will now begin testing in the week beginning March 17, giving parents some extra time to prepare their children for the national literacy and numeracy assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
In a statement, BCE said the delay in the starting timeframe for NAPLAN testing was done in consultation with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority to allow schools to focus on getting their students back into the classroom after many were impacted by storm damage, flood waters and power outages.
In the lead-up to testing, BCE principals have produced a series of tips to help families navigate the nerves, with a range of strategies available to ensure a stress-free exam season.
Here are some tips:
- Keep perspective: Remember, NAPLAN is just one way schools gather information about students’ progress.
- Encourage effort: Encourage your children to do their best and remind them that this is just an opportunity to show where they are at this point in time.
- Healthy habits: Ensure your child has a healthy breakfast and a good night’s sleep. These simple steps can make a big difference in their performance.
- Stay connected: Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers. They can provide valuable insights and support your child to feel prepared and confident.
- Create a calm environment: NAPLAN is a point-in-time test. Schools work hard to reduce test anxiety, so reinforce a positive mindset at home. Encourage a relaxed approach and reassure them that their best effort is enough.
- Be prepared: Help your child feel confident by familiarising them with the types of questions, the NAPLAN online platform, and strategies to respond effectively. Practice tests can build their comfort and reduce uncertainty.
The statement from BCE said the approach of the teachers was one of balance, ensuring students felt supported and confident without unnecessary pressure.
“At Brisbane Catholic Education, we believe in nurturing the whole child—academically, emotionally, and spiritually.”
It said in the lead-up to the test, students received structured guidance on question formats, the NAPLAN online platform, and effective test-taking strategies.
“However, NAPLAN is just one measure of learning, and BCE schools reinforce that success is not defined by a single test score.
“Beyond academics, BCE’s commitment to student wellbeing means teachers help students build resilience, maintain a positive mindset, and manage any test-related anxiety.”
The approach pays dividends as results in last year’s testing show.
Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, Caloundra, was a high-performing school on the Sunshine Coast according to 2024 NAPLAN results.
Principal Grant Haigh said the school of 321 students outshone many of its larger counterparts, scoring highly and showing significant consistent improvement across all areas including Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, and Numeracy when compared to students with a similar background.
Mr Haigh said the Year 3 students excelled in Reading and Writing, while Year 5 students showcased their strong writing abilities, with all students scoring highly across the board.
“Not only are we proud of our performance as a school on the Sunshine Coast, but we were also well above the National average in all testing areas,” he said.
He said as part of a comprehensive approach to the teaching of English, The Macquarie University program, InitiaLit, which the teachers were trained in, had been one of the contributors to the student’s literacy success.
“The program uses a phonics-based approach to learning to read as part of whole class instruction from Prep to Year 2.
“By helping our Early Years students understand the relationship between sounds and letters, we have laid a strong foundation for literacy success.”
Students at Mary MacKillop College, Nundah also excelled in 2024.
Principal Erin Wedge said the many of the College’s Year 7 and Year 9 students had meeting or exceeding outcomes in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy.
“50 per cent of Year 9 students have shown impressive growth in reading from Year 7 to Year 9,” Ms Wedge said.
“Writing results tell an even stronger story, with 60 percent of Year 9 students achieving academic growth in this area,” she said.
Ms Wedge said the growth could be attributed to several key initiatives at the College.
“The Transition, Integration, and Core Teachers program at Mary MacKillop ensures a smooth start to high school,” she said.
“Holiday workshops like Remarkable Writers, sports clinics, and readers programs help students build confidence and readiness.”
She said having two Highly Accomplished and Lead (HALT) Teachers and one Highly Accomplished (HAT) Teacher at the College was a unique advantage.
