National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
In May 2012, as part of the National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), national tests were held in literacy and numeracy for all students in Australia at Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
In Years 7 and 9, Literacy was assessed via a 45 minute test on Language Conventions (comprising spelling, grammar and punctuation), a 40 minute test on Writing and a 65 minute test on Reading. Numeracy was assessed via an 80 minute test comprising Number, Algebra, Functions and Patterns, Space, Measurement and Chance and Data. The test was broken into two 40 minute sessions. Students were not able to use calculators in the first session but they were allowed the use of a calculator in the second session.
Student results were posted home on Monday 17 September.
Results are reported in Band Levels—Band 10 is the highest possible band for students in Year 9 and Band 9 is the highest level for students in Year 7. The percentage of Newington boys achieving results in the top bands is indicated in the tables below. State percentages have been stated to allow you to make a comparison with the school cohort.
Aspects of Literacy—Year 9:
Reading |
Writing |
Spelling |
Grammar & Punctuation |
||
Band 10 | Newington |
16.4 |
22.1 |
9.8 |
12.9 |
State |
7.5 |
9.0 |
7.6 |
7.5 |
|
Band 9 | Newington |
25.5 |
18.4 |
33.1 |
30.7 |
State |
16.5 |
11.2 |
21.8 |
15.2 |
These are some very strong results, particularly in Reading and Writing where the percentage of boys achieving the top band level is more than the double the statewide figure.
Aspects of Literacy—Year 7:
Reading |
Writing |
Spelling |
Grammar & Punctuation |
||
Band 9 | Newington |
31.4 |
13.7 |
20.9 |
26.8 |
State |
11.5 |
7.5 |
11.9 |
14.8 |
|
Band 8 | Newington |
33.2 |
31.5 |
41.4 |
18.9 |
State |
22.1 |
15.4 |
25.2 |
35.9 |
As expected, the percentage of Newington boys achieving the top band across all four strands was close to double the figure recorded statewide, with the Reading figure being more than two and half times that recorded across NSW.
Aspects of Numeracy—Year 9:
Number, Patterns & Algebra | Measurement, Data, Space & Geometry | Numeracy | ||
Band 10 | Newington |
44.2 |
30.9 |
35.8 |
State |
16.4 |
12.2 |
13.1 |
|
Band 9 | Newington |
21.2 |
30.3 |
29.7 |
State |
13.8 |
15.6 |
14.7 |
The percentage of Newington boys achieving Band 10 in all three categories was at least two and half times the figure recorded statewide – an outstanding result!
Aspects of Numeracy—Year 7:
Number, Patterns & Algebra | Measurement,Data, Space & Geometry | Numeracy | ||
Band 9 | Newington |
45.9 |
35.5 |
42.7 |
State |
15.6 |
12.3 |
14.5 |
|
Band 8 | Newington |
27.3 |
25.9 |
29.5 |
State |
14.1 |
15.6 |
15.1 |
The percentage of Newington boys achieving Band 9 in all categories was close to three times the percentage recorded statewide.
Whilst comparisons with the state offer a useful insight, comparing the Newington results with those achieved by other boys in the state is perhaps more meaningful.
The following table lists the school mean in comparison to the mean score achieved by all boys across the state:
Year 7:
Section |
School Mean |
State Mean (Boys) |
Reading |
598.9 |
541.1 |
Writing |
568.6 |
504.2 |
Spelling |
592.2 |
547.3 |
Grammar & Punctuation |
599.3 |
542.6 |
Number, Patterns & Algebra |
626.7 |
551.8 |
Measurement, Data, Space & Geometry |
614.3 |
550.7 |
Numeracy |
626.3 |
551.9 |
Year 9:
Section |
School Mean |
State Mean (Boys) |
Reading |
619.9 |
572.4 |
Writing |
614.4 |
536.4 |
Spelling |
617.5 |
576.2 |
Grammar & Punctuation |
620.8 |
569.3 |
Number, Patterns & Algebra |
674.6 |
602.7 |
Measurement, Data, Space & Geometry |
661.5 |
599.8 |
Numeracy |
665.4 |
600.9 |
Clearly the Newington boys in Years 7 and 9 2012 have very strong literacy and numeracy skills in comparison to their statewide cohort, particularly when compared with their male counterparts. They are to be congratulated on these outstanding results.
Ms Julia Shea
Head of Curriculum