More Than a Score: Reflecting on NAPLAN
and our Deeper Purpose

A question parents often ask me is, “How do our students compare to others in similar schools across Tasmania and Australia?” It is a fair question. Each year, NAPLAN is one of the many informative measures that assess students’ progress in literacy and numeracy. This assessment offers a snapshot; however, NAPLAN does not capture the full progress a student makes throughout the year, nor does it reflect the depth of learning and formation that occurs each day in a Christian school community. While useful, NAPLAN has its limitations.

For this reason, we use NAPLAN results in conjunction with a broader set of assessments, including data, teacher observations, and ongoing reflections, to support student growth and development. Our approach to education is holistic. We are not just measuring reading, writing, spelling or mathematics. We are forming whole persons – children made in the image and likeness of God in partnership with parents.

Our 2025 NAPLAN results show encouraging growth, particularly when compared with similar schools, state-wide, and national averages.

Year 3 Results

Reading:
61.9% of our students achieved in the strong or exceeding bands.
This compares to 51.1% in similar schools, 61.0% in Tasmania, and
66.3% nationally.

Writing:
81.0% were strong or exceeding – well above similar schools 60.7%, Tasmania 69.4%, and the national result of 76.8%.

Spelling:
66.7% achieved at a strong or exceeding level, above similar schools 49.2%, Tasmania 51.2%, and the national result of 60.6%.

Grammar and Punctuation:
57.1% of students were strong or exceeding, compared to 62.736.3% in similar schools, 42.9% in Tasmania, and 53.9% nationally.

Numeracy:
52.4% achieved in the strong or exceeding bands, outperforming similar schools 47.1% but below Tasmania 58.1% and the national figure
of 63.5%.

Year 5 Results

Reading:
75.0% of students were strong or exceeding, compared to 58.7% in similar schools, 63.8% in Tasmania, and 71.3% nationally.

Writing:
65.0% of students achieved in the strong or exceeding bands, above similar schools 62.5%, Tasmania 60.6%, and close to the national result of 67.3%.

Spelling:
70.0% were strong or exceeding, compared to 55.4% in similar schools,
57.2% in Tasmania, and 67.7% nationally.

Grammar and Punctuation:
55.0% achieved strong or exceeding results, well above similar schools 47.1%, Tasmania 53.7%, but under the national figure of 64.7%.

Numeracy:
65.0% of Year 5 students were strong or exceeding, above similar schools 51.0%, Tasmania 57.9%, and close to the national result of 67.8%.

These results reflect the impact of clear and consistent teaching, as well as the deep care our staff bring to each classroom. We are already seeing growth since implementing our new structured and low-variance mathematics curriculum earlier this year. This approach ensures that every child receives high-quality instruction, and we are excited to see its continued impact in the years ahead.

Forming More Than Just Minds

As a Christian learning community, our purpose extends far beyond academic outcomes. We are committed to providing the highest quality, Christ-centred education that not only equips students for life now but also forms them for eternity, grounded in the belief that every student is made in the image of God. That means our learners have extraordinary potential, not just for literacy and numeracy, but also for creativity, relationships, compassion, sacrifice, a sense of belonging, and a purpose. Our greatest hope is that each student would come to know God, understand their place in His story and grow into the person He created them to be.

A parent recently shared how encouraged they have been by their daughter’s enthusiasm for learning about the Bible, to the point where she has been reading it regularly at home. Another parent recently shared, “There is something so different about this school community - my  family has noticed the difference.” Comments like these are deeply encouraging. They reflect the heart of what we strive for at Northern: a place where students are not only learning, but where families feel seen, valued and connected into a
Christ-centred community. Moments like this remind us of what truly matters.

Being Discerning with Data

Next term, parents of students in Year 3 and Year 5 will receive their child's NAPLAN results. While data can be helpful, there is a risk in reducing a school’s effectiveness to a number. Used poorly, NAPLAN can promote shallow judgments and overlook the most important aspects of student development.

We must be discerning as a Christian school. NAPLAN has many helpful features, but also some unhelpful consequences. It should be one tool among many, not the defining measure of success. At Northern, we are committed to forming each child emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. These outcomes are not captured in a test result but are essential to our purpose.

Lastly, as we head into the holiday break for students, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your ongoing support and partnership. It is a joy and privilege to walk this journey with you, as we seek to form students who are prepared for life and ready to follow Christ. Let us continue to celebrate growth, not just in scores, but in faith, character, and purpose.

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

Each year, the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) presents a series of prestigious state awards to recognise outstanding teachers and leaders across Australia. These awards recognise and celebrate excellence in educational practice and leadership across various career stages and school settings. With categories spanning early career teachers to experienced educational leaders, they are among the highest honours in the Australian education sector.

This year, we are delighted to share that three teachers at Northern Christian School received awards in all three categories for Tasmania – a truly exceptional and rare achievement for any single school.

Early Career Teacher Leadership Award – Alison Hartley: Recognising a teacher in the first five years of their career who demonstrates exemplary practice, a commitment to collaboration, and a willingness to embrace leadership opportunities.

Teacher Leadership Award – Kerrie Prentice: Acknowledging a teacher who leads the learning of others, builds purposeful relationships, and consistently demonstrates high-quality teaching practice.

Excellence in Educational Leadership Award – Bethany Armstrong: Honouring a school leader who drives positive change, influences educational outcomes, and provides significant professional leadership within and beyond their school.

To receive one ACEL award is a significant honour. To be recognised across all three categories is both remarkable and a testament to the quality of teaching and leadership at Northern Christian School.

We are incredibly proud of Alison, Kerrie and Bethany for this recognition and deeply grateful for the passion, wisdom and leadership they bring to our school community. Their achievements reflect the heart of what we value most: excellence in education, grounded in faith and committed to serving others.

SPARKs of Respect, Kindness and Resilience… 

It is encouraging to see our students growing in character. This semester alone, over 708 SPARKs have been awarded to students for demonstrating our school values of Respect, Kindness and Resilience. Through our Shining Lights Program, we aim to recognise and celebrate these positive behaviours as part of our whole school approach to student wellbeing. SPARKs (Students Practising Acts of Respect, Resilience and Kindness) are awarded by staff to students who demonstrate our school values. 

This term in Year 3, students have been taking part in the PeaceWise program, a special journey toward becoming true peacemakers. Inspired by the example of Jesus, we’ve been learning how to respond to conflict with kindness, wisdom, and love.

Our focus this term has been on understanding the question “What is conflict?” Through thoughtful class discussions and reflection activities, students have explored the different types of conflict they might experience in everyday life. From misunderstandings with friends to moments of frustration in group work. Together, we've looked at why conflict happens and, more importantly, how we can respond in ways that bring peace and restoration. Students are learning that being a peacemaker doesn’t mean avoiding problems, but facing them with courage, empathy, and a heart that seeks reconciliation, just as Jesus taught us. It has been wonderful to see our Year 3 students growing in their understanding of what it means to be peacemakers in both words and actions. We’re excited to continue this journey together as we build a school community shaped by grace, respect, and peace.

By teaching science from a Christian worldview, we aim to show students that faith and learning are not separate journeys. Rather, they are deeply connected paths that help children grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

This term in Science, students have been diving into the fascinating world of Earth science. We've had a fantastic time learning about how crystals form and discovering the important role minerals play in the makeup of rocks, soil, and even everyday objects. In class, we have explored how minerals are all around us, not just in nature, but also in our classroom! We explored how many of the materials we use every day, such as the metal legs of our desks or the concrete we walk on, come from minerals that were once part of the Earth’s crust. Through hands-on investigations and engaging discussions, students have developed a deeper understanding of how rocks and minerals are formed, how they're used, and why they’re so valuable. It has been wonderful to explore God’s creation with the students and learn about how amazing and thoughtful our God is in all his designs.

NAIDOC Week Coin Donation

Thank you to all the families that donated to the Student Representative Council’s NAIDOC week initiative to fundraise for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory to have the Bible translated into their language.

We are still receiving donations this week in the Office, and all funds raised will go directly to the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages.

Friday, 4th July

On the last day of Term 2, we will be holding our Aussie Bush Dance! This is a great opportunity for students to showcase the skills they have learnt as part of their Dance unit in PE.

Parents are welcome to join the students as they kick their heels up to the ‘Heel and Toe Polka’, ‘Strip the Willow’ and many other bush dance favourites while enjoying some ‘Dancing Food!'

This will be a bush dance-themed free-dress day for students, so get your dosey-doe on:

• Prep to Year 2 Dancing: 12.50pm – 1.40pm

• 1.40pm – 1.50pm (opportunity for photos and music)

• Years 3 to 6 Dancing: 2.00pm – 2.50pm

• 2.50pm – 3.00pm (opportunity for photos and music)

We look forward to seeing you here.

Peter Humphrey - Physical Education Teacher

You are warmly invited to attend our
Light Festival

Our Light Festival is fast approaching! We warmly invite all current Northern families to attend this much-loved annual event - a celebration of Jesus as the Light of the World and a special time for our school community to come together.

Join us for a self-guided light walk through the school grounds, featuring live music, cosy conversations around the fire pits, and warming treats including hot spiced apple cider, hot chocolate, hearty soups, and delicious desserts.
The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.

This event for our current families is presented by the Northern Community Engagement Committee. Please note that due to car parking capacity, only immediate families are able to attend.

If you would like to reserve a Disabled Parking space, please contact us so we can ensure your needs are catered for.

Volunteers Needed:

To make this a success, we would greatly value help with organising this event. We need help setting up, stringing lots of fairy lights, cooking soup and desserts, and many other activities.

If you would like to be involved with participating in the Light Festival activities, please refer to the email previously sent with all the details, and we encourage you to register on our Volunteer Sign Up Sheet.

Community Engagement Committee