Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 7. After spending a week with other principals across our diocese discussing things like Direct Instruction, Dibels assessment, NAPLAN data, and other important school-wide processes, I am very much looking forward to spending more time with our fabulous students and fantastic staff. Week 7 is dominated by our NAPLAN assessments that will begin on Wednesday. Below is the timetable for the tests. Please discuss with your child that these tests are only a point-in-time assessment and do not test every aspect of their school life. Teachers also assess students through diagnostic testing and anecdotal testing, amongst other assessments. I am already looking forward to celebrating the positive outcomes I am sure NAPLAN will deliver. These results will demonstrate the excellent work the children at St Mary’s engage in each and every day. A reminder that if a student is absent due to illness, they will be required to make up the test they missed before they can sit any future ones as ACARA stipulates the testing sequence. I will be managing the make-up testing schedule and will communicate with those students when the make-ups will take place.  We encourage you to help your child(ren) to stay calm and remind them that NAPLAN is just a snapshot of their learning and only ONE measure of their achievement. Please refer to the attached advice regarding children’s well-being during NAPLAN. Please note that your child’s iPad needs to come to school each day fully charged. If your child is using their own Bluetooth headphones or keyboard it too must be fully charged.

In Week 6 we welcomed Nicholas Quade to St Mary’s. He has settled well in Year 4. I join with everyone in welcoming him to our wonderful school and trust he will enjoy sharing his time with us.

Last week we farewelled Katrina McGrath. I thank her for her service to St Mary’s and the mark she has left on our school. Interviews for the Assistant Principal position were conducted last week and I look forward to making an announcement in the coming days.

Remember my door is always open.

Damian Collins

Acting Principal

St Mary’s NAPLAN Timetable