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
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Last Thursday, our school proudly held our Caritas Markets, raising funds to support communities around the world in gaining access to clean water. This special event built on learning from earlier in the term, when students participated in the Water Walk; an experience that deepened their understanding of the challenges faced by many people globally. The markets provided a meaningful opportunity to turn that growing awareness into action. The markets featured a range of activities including face painting, cookie decorating, hair braiding, and various sporting activities. These were all thoughtfully organised and run by our Year 6 students, who demonstrated outstanding leadership, kindness, and a true sense of service to others. Their efforts reflected faith in action and a strong commitment to making a difference. We are incredibly proud of our Little Mountains community, who came together to raise over $1,000. This is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the generosity and spirit of our students and families. #faithinactioncspd
LATEST NEWS More news
16 Apr 2026
From Facebook
06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Last Thursday, our school proudly held our Caritas Markets, raising funds to support communities around the world in gaining access to clean water. This special event built on learning from earlier in the term, when students participated in the Water Walk; an experience that deepened their understanding of the challenges faced by many people globally. The markets provided a meaningful opportunity to turn that growing awareness into action. The markets featured a range of activities including face painting, cookie decorating, hair braiding, and various sporting activities. These were all thoughtfully organised and run by our Year 6 students, who demonstrated outstanding leadership, kindness, and a true sense of service to others. Their efforts reflected faith in action and a strong commitment to making a difference. We are incredibly proud of our Little Mountains community, who came together to raise over $1,000. This is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the generosity and spirit of our students and families. #faithinactioncspd
01 Apr 2026
From Facebook
As we come to the end of the sacred time of Holy Week at school, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our Year 6 students for the beautiful way they led our school community through our Holy Week reflections. Your maturity, reverence, and deep knowledge were evident in every moment. You guided our younger students with care and respect, helping them to better understand the significance of this sacred time and supporting them in their own faith journeys. We are incredibly proud of the leadership you have shown and the example you have set for our community. Thank you for walking with us so thoughtfully through Holy Week.
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
A friendly reminder to our families that our Project Compassion Market Day will be held this Thursday! If you haven't done so yet, please purchase your ticket via the QKR app. This special event is an opportunity for our students to put their faith into action as we raise money to support remote communities in gaining access to clean water. Through this initiative, we are living out the Catholic Social Teachings of Solidarity and Human Dignity, recognising our responsibility to care for others and ensure all people have access to the basic necessities of life. We look forward to a wonderful day of community, generosity, and compassion. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students make a meaningful difference.
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Last week, we began sending home Holy Week Prayer Kits with students. The kits have been thoughtfully designed to help children explore and deepen their understanding of the Easter story. Inside the bag, you will find picture prompt cards, suggested Scripture readings, and conversation starters to support meaningful reflection and discussion at home. Easter is the most sacred time in the liturgical calendar, and these kits provide a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with its significance, ask questions, and grow in both learning and faith alongside their families. As we begin this initiative, kits will be sent home with a small number of students and then be rotated across the class. This allows all students the opportunity to participate over time. We kindly ask families to return the kits promptly so others may also share in this experience. Thank you for your continued support in making this a rich and meaningful experience for our students.
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Dear School Community, This is a request to all families to take just 15 minutes to complete the ECSI Quickscan Survey. The ECSI Quickscan is a survey tool used to capture a snapshot of the attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of students, staff, families, and leaders regarding the Catholic identity of their school. We understand life is busy, but if you haven’t yet had a chance, please consider setting aside a short window of time today or tomorrow to support us. If it is more convenient for you to take the survey at school, you are welcome to come in anytime this week and will be provided with a computer and a quiet space. Thank you for supporting our school in this important way. St Finbar's Community
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our adventure at The Collaroy Centre was packed with action, laughter, and a whole lot of courage. From zooming down the flying fox to strategising in laser tag, swinging sky-high on the giant swing, conquering the rock wall, and balancing bravely on the high ropes course — our students have done it all! But the real highlight? Watching them step outside their comfort zones, tackle challenges head-on, and cheer each other on every step of the way. Whether it was a nervous first climb or a triumphant finish, the teamwork and encouragement were nothing short of inspiring. Safe to say, we’ve got a group of resilient risk-takers who aren’t afraid to reach for the top… or swing from it!
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
17 Mar 2026
From Facebook
At St Finbar’s today, learning was in full swing and full of energy! ✨ Our classrooms were buzzing as students tackled challenging Maths problems, stretched their creativity through Writing, and explored important ideas in Health. From deep thinking to collaborative discussions, every lesson was an opportunity to grow, question, and achieve. It’s always inspiring to see our students so engaged, curious, and willing to give things a go. A fantastic day of learning across the school! 👏📚
16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
CHANGE OF DATE! check your Compass app for more details. Students will continue to wear their lots of socks for World Down Syndrome Day!
10 Mar 2026
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?
09 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Walk for Water – Walking in Solidarity On Friday, our students took part in a Walk for Water as part of our learning connected to Project Compassion. This experience helped raise both student and community awareness about the reality faced by many people around the world who do not have reliable access to clean water. Throughout the walk, students demonstrated a deep understanding of why we were participating. Many were able to confidently explain that access to clean water is not simply a convenience, but an essential resource for survival and human dignity. By walking together as a school community, we symbolically stood in solidarity with those who must travel long distances each day to collect water for their families. The experience helped students connect their learning with compassion and action, recognising that even small acts can contribute to a more just and dignified world.