ACARA Responds to MYSCHOOL report | Deputy President Bob Willetts

The NSWPPA have long advocated for NAPLAN data to be removed from MYSCHOOL website and recent media reports suggested this had been done.

However, ACARA subsequently responded with clarification.

It is always worth checking your MySchool data to review the publicly available information.

The full report is below.

ACARA news, March 2021
ACARA responds to News Corp's false articles

18 March 2021

An article in News Corp papers today incorrectly states there have been changes to the My School website that prevent parents from comparing school performances on NAPLAN.

That is not the case and has never been the case.

Parents have always been able, and still are able, to compare school performance on NAPLAN on the website.

Changes to the My School website that help parents better understand the NAPLAN data displays were made over 12 months ago and there are no 'new bans' as claimed in the article. ACARA issued a media release at the time and the changes were covered in the media in March 2020.

Parents can access My School NAPLAN data for comparisons and an additional measure of student progress using NAPLAN data was added in March 2020. This change gives greater focus to progress rather than on statistically similar schools and is presented in a way that is fair and easy to understand.

The amendments to the data presentations were agreed by all Australia's education ministers in December 2019, following a comprehensive review of the way NAPLAN data is presented on My School conducted by Emeritus Professor Bill Louden.

They were subject to extensive consultation with stakeholders, statistical experts and parent focus groups and were welcomed particularly by parents.

The March 2020 media release on the changes to the My School website clearly states the reasons for the change as well as the broad support from the parent community.

ACARA was not given the opportunity to reply to the inaccurate claims that parents are prevented from comparing school performances on the My School website.

Media contact: 0414 063 872, media.contact@acara.edu.au 

ACARA announced this week that NAPLAN

Warm regards,
Bob

Principal Induction Conference via Zoom | Vice President Jude Hayman

Former NSWPPA Vice-President, Lyn Davis is currently working with the DoE School Leadership Institute and recently coordinated the Principal Induction Conference. We were able to assist Lyn by inviting, through our Reference Group, Standing Committee and Working Party Chairs, a large number of our members from a broad range of contexts to act as facilitators.

President Robyn Evans and executive members presented information about the PPA structure and priorities, we also emphasised the strengths of connecting with colleagues and building these connections by attending PPC meetings. We encourage our members to make contact with new Principals to ensure they understand the benefits of PPA membership.

Thank you to all the Principals who dedicated the time to support and guide new Principals and congratulations to Lyn and the School Leadership Institute for organising a fabulous conference.

Warm regards,
Jude

HPG with Disability Survey| Vice President Norma Petrocco

Australian research is being undertaken on high potential students with disability. By completing this survey, you will benefit from insights into your students' learning needs, along with expert support and advice on how to meet those needs. The survey closing date has been extended to 14 May.

Please see the attached links for further information and links to the survey.

Warm regards,
Norma

Mandatory Training for Schools| Vice President Trish Peters

The attached link below, shows the complete list of mandatory training. The information shows that it is mandatory for teaching and school-based staff to complete the training as per the schedule and that the mandatory training for schools only requires for the principal to schedule CPR and anaphylaxis component but not mandatory that everyone does it. The Code of Conduct training now has an expiry date of 31/12 for every person so everyone is required to re-do early in the school year.

Student Wellbeing Reference Group| Vice President Trish Peters

If you require urgent support for complex and challenging contact your DEL - see attached flowchart.

Hot off the Press – State Conference Information | Chairperson State Conference Standing Committee Kylie Donovan

Book your ACCOMMODATION at THE STAR SYDNEY for the 2021 NSWPPA State Conferences 21-23 October 2021 using this code: NSW181021.

Call (02) 9777 9000 for all enquiries or you can book online at