NAPLAN: What Parents Really Need to Know

Each March, families across Australia hear a lot about NAPLAN. The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. But what does it really mean for your child in 2026?

First, NAPLAN serves an important purpose. It provides a consistent, nationwide snapshot of how students are progressing in foundational skills. For schools, it offers useful data to identify strengths, highlight areas for improvement and guide evidence-based teaching strategies. For families, it can be a helpful reference point in understanding how their child is tracking against national benchmarks.

In that sense, NAPLAN matters. However, it’s equally important to understand what NAPLAN is not.

NAPLAN is not a measure of your child’s intelligence, potential or overall ability. It does not assess creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, resilience or empathy.

“NAPLAN gives us useful data, but it’s only one part of a much bigger learning picture,” says Lisa Crampton, Head of Primary Learning at CSPD. “Parents should see it as a check-in point, along with other school-based assessments, rather than a judgement. What matters most is consistent growth over time and how well a school supports the whole child.”

So what can parents do?

Lisa’s advice is simple: keep it calm and keep it balanced.

“Encourage your child to do their best, make sure they’re well-rested, and remind them that one test doesn’t define them. Students experience explicit literacy and numeracy instruction every day in our classrooms within a multi-tiered system of support that ensures students receive any additional support they need quickly.”

At Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, we use NAPLAN as a tool to shed light on our progress in lifting each students’ literacy and numeracy skills.

In 2026, NAPLAN will continue to play a role in Australian education. But in the bigger picture, it remains just one chapter in a much larger story - your child’s lifelong journey of learning and growth.

At Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, we believe every child has the potential for greatness. Across our 80 primary and secondary schools in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, students are supported to thrive not only in academic achievement but in character, purpose and belonging.

Find a school and register for an Open Day near you

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

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12 May 2026
From Facebook
PARRAMATTA DIOCESAN PRIMARY CROSS COUNTRY 2026 Wednesday 13th May 2026 Sydney Motorsports Park (Eastern Creek Raceway), Ferrers Rd, Eastern Creek Entry via gate A (rear of the venue) PARKING Please allow additional time to ENTER the venue, PARK, and WALK to the grandstand; this could take up to 30 minutes WALK THE COURSE OPEN - 8:50am CLOSED - 9:00am *No student will be permitted on the course at this time unless supervised by a school/teacher representative. *Teachers/Age Managers are to supervise their school team during the Walk the Course. WELCOME - 9:45am ORDER OF EVENTS https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xvxlQBAFpGybp6_L8wRVPKeQsq116LQj/view?usp=sharing *The times are a guide only and the Convener reserves the right to alter the program of events without prior notification. *Please allow sufficient time to arrive for the Marshall time listed on the Order of Events. ATHLETE NUMBER ALLOCATION *Athlete Bibs with a Timing microchip will be provided by the school Team Manager on arrival *NO BIB - NO RUN! *Each Competitor is allocated their OWN athlete number. These allocated numbers can be found on the school team list provided in the Team Manager’s Pack. *Each competitor must have their ATHLETE number clearly displayed on their school shirt/singlet with the pins provided. *At the conclusion of the competitor’s event, the competitor keeps the bib as a memento. MEDICAL CONDITIONS For any children with specific medical details, please pick up a medical tag from your Team Manager. RESULTS Results are available via either: The MultiSport website will be live after the first race has commenced https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/parramatta-diocese-primary-cross-country-2026 OR Go to the APP Store and download the “Multi Sport” App PARRAMATTA TEAM REPRESENTATIVES *After the race, the top 8 competitors will remain at the finish line presentation area located in the Garage or near the podium. *Event placegetters will be announced after results have been verified. *1st to 8th placegetters will be announced from each event and will qualify for the 2026 Parramatta Diocesan XC team. *The Diocesan team will participate in the NSWCCCCPS Cross Country on Wednesday, 24th June *Qualifiers will receive their pennants on the day and the Diocesan Cross Country team information on the day. We look forward to a wonderful event.

09 May 2026
From Facebook
💐 Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mums, grandmothers, carers and special women in our St Angela’s community. 💛