What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that our students in Years 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.
NAPLAN at Urangan SHS
This year our students will complete NAPLAN testing in weeks 8 and 9 of Term 1 (15th – 27th March). The testing schedule for our school is outlined below:![]()
It is very important that students complete each test to the very best of their ability so that the individual data we have on each student is as accurate as possible.
To help at home with this, you could:
- Help your student understand the purpose of the testing tools – to give us information about individuals to improve our teaching and their learning
- Help your student manage anxiety and nerves
- Ensure your student gets adequate sleep and rest
- Make sure your student has a nutritious breakfast each morning and arrives to school in plenty of time
- Note that it is not permissible for mobile phones or any communication device to be with students during the tests.
If you would like to help your child practice at home, you can access the public demonstration site: https://nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site
We also respectfully acknowledge that there may be reasons why you do not wish for your student to complete the test. If that is the case, there is an official procedure that you are required to follow:
Withdrawal – Parents can choose to withdraw their child from the test for Religious, Philosophical or other reasons. A Notice of Parent Withdrawal form (attached) https://uranganshs.eq.edu.au/calendar-and-news/news/2023-naplan needs to be completed and signed by the Principal by Monday 6th March 2023.
Exemption – Students can only be exempted from sitting the assessment if they have a language background other than English and have been attending school in Australia for less than a year before the test, or, the student has a significant intellectual disability and/or those with significant co-existing conditions, which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests. An Application for test exemption needs to be completed and signed by the principal by Monday 6th March.
Adjustment – Students with a disability as defined in the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 may be permitted an adjustment to support their access to the tests and facilitate maximum participation. Student Case Managers are currently working with families of these students. Students with a medically recognised disability will be contacted by Deputy Principal Special Education Ley Anson, or student Case Managers to discuss possible adjustments.
Absent - If a student is absent on the day of assessment, it is important contact is made to the school regarding the reason for absenteeism. Students that were absent for one or more strands of testing will be able to complete a catch-up session on Friday March 17 and 24.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school on (07) 4197 0111.
- General information – Brian Harrington or Nick McMorrow
- Students with disabilities and exemptions – Shannon Potgeiger (Head of Special Education year 7&9)
- Student withdrawal – Clare Stroud (Head of Year 7) or Kimberly Vanzetta (Head of Year 9).