A restructuring of learning spaces and a focus on balanced reading programs has contributed to significantly improved outcomes at one of our local schools.
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Lithgow's St Patrick's Primary School has been recognised for its improved NAPLAN test results by Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
The NAPLAN test (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy) is taken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 to monitor their results over time.
St Patrick's principal Helen Mulholland said the school had been making really good gains over the past five years.
A 'balanced' reading program has been introduced from kindergarten on, which has a strong focus on guided reading.
"It targets children at their level," Mrs Mulholland said.
Teaching is targeted to identify children's skill levels and groups of students at similar reading levels work together to improve.
Assessment is a key part of the strategy, Mrs Mulholland said.
"Teachers can see exactly what students know and don't know to allow them to move forward.
"What we are finding is the students are doing really well overall because of those programs we have put in place," she said.
"It is nice to see it reflected in the NAPLAN results. Sometimes you don't see that progress come through in the results."
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Mrs Mulholland has been seeing slow and steady gains in outcomes since 2015. A carefully chosen library of books and a strong phonics program contributed to reading success, she said.
"It is evidence of the expertise and capacity of our teachers," she said.
St Patrick's Primary School has adopted a co-teaching program, which allows two class teachers to collaborate across their year group. The last of the school's infrastructure projects has been completed to allow this system to operate more smoothly.
Mrs Mulholland predicted this year's and next year's students would continue the upward trend.