2023 NAPLAN  

Earlier this week, the Years 3 and 5 NAPLAN Reports were posted to parents. Once again, our Barbreck girls achieved incredibly well with over 90% achieving in the ‘Strong’ to ‘Exceeding’ levels across all assessment areas. Congratulations go to our hard-working girls and their wonderful teachers. 

Over the past five years, our girls have continued to score well in NAPLAN testing. These results give credence to the strength of our Academic Strategy. We know that the longer girls attend Barbreck, the better they are able to learn, apply and achieve. This is a distinct advantage for our girls as they progress towards their senior schooling.  

Unlike some schools that spend a great deal of time training their students for NAPLAN, in Barbreck, we incorporate a rich and expansive curriculum to educate and develop the whole girl through academic and co-curricular pursuits with wellbeing and well-belonging interwoven in all that we do.  

Changes to NAPLAN  

Education Ministers around Australia agreed to change the way in which NAPLAN results are reported. The numerical NAPLAN Bands (previously 10 Bands) and the National Minimum Standard will be replaced by the following four levels of achievement: 

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support 

Our Years 3 and Year 5 girls sat NAPLAN in mid-March, with results coming to the School in late July. Unfortunately, comparisons to previous years’ results cannot be made with the new data. 

If any of our Barbreck Families have further questions regarding their daughter’s NAPLAN Report, please feel free to make contact with your daughter’s classroom teacher or myself. 

Careers Day 

This week, we hosted our second round of Careers Day presenters for Years 5 and 6 girls. On Tuesday, students heard from: 

• Dr Damien Grinsell, Plastic Surgeon Consultant, Father of Samara Grinsell in Year 5 
• Mr Lachlan McArdle and Ms Ellie Spinks, Lande Architects 
• Ms Suzi Shaw, Conservator of Frames and Furniture at the National Gallery of Victoria
• Dr Hilary Grover (‘10), Sports Medicine, St Catherine’s Old Girl and SCOGA Fellowship Recipient

Our Barbreck Careers Day forms the foundation of our Careers Program at St Catherine’s School which spans from Years 5 through to Year 12 and beyond. Feedback from our Years 5 and 6 girls demonstrated our two Careers Days have opened the girls’ minds to the possibilities of future careers and some of the personal skills required to be successful in particular industries. 

“I really liked the plastic surgeon’s presentation. I particularly liked the ways he was able to help people who had been in accidents. The Careers Days help by making me more aware of people’s careers and to think about what career I might have.” 

“I liked the architects, especially all the examples of their work and how they draw their ideas. It makes me think about what I might be when I am older and the skills I might need.” 

“I liked seeing how many university degrees people could handle.” 

“I liked seeing the different pathways you can take. I also liked being told about the skills I can start working on now to prepare us for the future.” 

“I liked my Dad’s presentation about reconstructive plastic surgery. I liked seeing all of the opportunities it opens up.” Samara Grinsell 

“I liked hearing from the plastic surgeon. The Careers Day presentations helped me to find out how the subjects we learn at School can give us options for the careers we want.”

The Australian Blueprint for Career Development (2003) identifies three main areas of competencies girls will need to be successful in any chosen career: 

• Personal Management 
• Learning and Work Exploration 
• Career Building 

Our aim at Barbreck is to focus on two of the areas above through both our Wellbeing and Careers Day Programs:   

Barbreck Community News  

It is with great pleasure that I inform our Barbreck Community that our very own Miss Annie Taylor, Prep Teacher, and her partner Max are expecting their first child. This is wonderful news! I know that you will join me in wishing them the very best.

Term 3 Important Dates

We are all excited for the term ahead, filled with learning, co-curricular pursuits and community events. For a full list of Term 3 important events please refer to the table below.