Our Year 3 and 5 students continue their NAPLAN testing this week.  The testing over the past week has seen the stress and anxiety levels in some of our students and their families increase. Performing in this exam like environment is quite different to the nurturing and supportive classrooms that our children usually experience.  

These NAPLAN tests provide a snapshot of your child’s literacy and numeracy skills that are developed over time through the school curriculum.  The snapshot they show will depend on several factors, including how your child handled the Naplan structure and layout, their use of time, the amount of sleep they had the night before and their level of focus at the given time.

Regardless of your child’s results, it is important that we remember that NAPLAN only tests Literacy and Numeracy skills and does not define them as a person.  Whilst both Literacy and Numeracy provide crucial foundations for their learning, there are many other skills and strengths to celebrate. Therefore, if your child has come home a little deflated after sitting their NAPLAN test in recent days, there are a few ways you can offer support.

1. Resilience -  Remind them that in life we do have ups and downs.  Some days are harder than others and that sometimes we have to do things we don’t like or enjoy.  Help remind your child of the good things in their lives and channel their energy into something they enjoy.
2. Empathy - If students are feeling a little disappointed with their own performance then doing something for others is a great way of helping them move on.  Helping others is a great way of feeling like you are part of something bigger than yourself and that your actions really matter can lead to a deep sense of fulfillment and long-term happiness.
3. Focus on your child’s other strengths - Explain that there is more to us as humans than literacy and numeracy.  We all have our own strengths and talents. Character strengths like courage, creativity, curiosity or kindness have a positive impact on our lives.
4. Gratitude - Help your child understand that they are very fortunate to live in a safe country like Australia that values education for all.

Finally, fearful or anxious behaviour in children is common  – especially as they come across new situations and experiences. Most children learn to cope with different fears and worries.  If you would like more information regarding anxiety in children, the Beyond Blue - Anxiety is worth reading.

'There's more to life than literacy and numeracy' - Today (Channel Nine 13th May 2019)

Kind regards

Paul Anderson

Deputy Principal & Student Wellbeing Leader