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CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra The test is not the final score 440 510 The Higher School Certificate can be a testing time, not just for students and teachers but for families too. Though there is a range of assessments throughout any young person’s schooling, the HSC and NAPLAN are seen as the big ones. Despite the industry that has developed around NAPLAN preparation, these useful tests for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students simply take a snapshot of literacy and numeracy skills (see story right). However, the HSC demands plenty of preparation, but also plenty of perspective. For me, and many of my classmates, education opened doors that had been closed to our families in previous generations. This is true of many of the young people studying for the HSC across the Diocese today. In my day, study included an ample supply of handwritten notes on pastel-coloured index cards from the local newsagency. Far fewer students completed the HSC and schoolies was yet to be invented. These days, students have access to a wide range of study tools online and often receive their results by SMS rather than haunting the letterbox in late December. At times, there can be an over-emphasis on the ATAR score as if more than a decade of learning can be reduced to a single number. Do tests at school really prepare us for the tests that life throws our way? Though not all of life’s opportunities and challenges will be academic, I do see an enduring value of learning and application to study that the HSC requires from students over an extended period – the need to plan, research, collaborate and the chance to really hone in on a particular area of focus. 436 432 428 424 420 NAPLAN growth the result of continued focus on teacher learning In May this year, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sat the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests, which measure student performance in reading, writing, spelling, grammar/punctuation and numeracy. The 2016 NAPLAN results indicate that Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta have shown significant improvement in a number of areas including Year 5 and 7 numeracy and Year 5 and 7 reading. In numeracy, 97.6% of students showed growth at or beyond expected levels from Years 3 to 5, 93.3% showed growth from Years 5 to 7, and 91.6% showed growth from Years 7 to 9. In writing, there were more students in the top two bands for Year 3 and fewer students in the bottom bands for Year 3, 5 and 7. Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) is continuing to reduce the number of vulnerable students 508 506 504 502 500 who are represented in the lower two bands in Reading and Mathematics for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Deputy Executive Director Sue Walsh said the improvement was attributed to the focus on teacher professional learning, literacy and numeracy classroom practice and intervention programs, including Reading Recovery and Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU). “CEDP has engaged academic partners such as Prof Peter Sullivan to facilitate teacher professional learning aimed at increasing student performance in numeracy through challenging and rich Mathematics tasks,” Sue said. “Lyn Sharratt from Ontario, Canada, has partnered over four years with CEDP to lead professional learning in literacy, which will continue next year. “These partnerships have delivered quality teacher learning in literacy and numeracy with a focus on improving students most at risk and extending students at the higher levels.” If students have come away from school with a lifelong love of learning and re-learning then this will stand them in good stead for the future. It’s important to remember, however, that the HSC and other examinations are a means to an end, rather than an end in themselves. In my case, these studies led to the privilege of dedicating my working life to transforming young lives through education. I wish every 2016 HSC student the blessing of an equally rewarding vocation. Congratulations to our class of 2016 as they prepare to continue on this next stage of their learning journey. Greg Whitby Executive Director 900 850 800 750 700 650 600 550 500 450 400 560 540 520 500 480 460 @gregwhitby blog: bluyonder.wordpress.com 14 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org
www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra CATHOLIC EDUCATION From left: Sebastien Nakhoul, Tiarne McLuskey and Taylah Hodgson-Harvey. Voices of youth speak out for justice On 20 September, six Year 6 students from the Diocese of Parramatta competed in the 2016 Voice of Youth Grand Finals. Tiarne McLuskey from Our Lady of the Angels Primary, Rouse Hill, won the Grand Final for her amusing speech, ‘Life is Better with BBQ Sauce’. Taylah Hodgson-Harvey from St Monica’s Primary, Richmond, received the Social Justice award for her speech about child abuse and domestic violence titled, ‘Child Abuse’. “So many children are going through this, and it is not OK,” Taylah said. “I’m really passionate about this issue and feel it is very important to share this with students, parents and teachers, hopefully, to have an impact in some way.” Our Lady of the Way Primary, Emu Plains, Assistant Principal and Voice of Youth Grand Final Host, Michael Mifsud, said he was very impressed by the scope of talent in the 2016 competition. “Once again the students demonstrated how we need to let them capture their spirit and energy, and express themselves,” Michael said. “The talent was so impressive, everyone deserved to be a winner.” Watch VOY speeches: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=7sdyn- XMBaw&feature=youtu.be Keen golfers Bro Bernard Bulfin FSP and Ian Jordan at the 30 th Annual Diocesan Golf Day. 30 th Annual Diocesan Golf Day hits for success On 27 September, 156 people attended the 30 th Annual Diocesan Golf Day, held at Richmond Golf Club. An all-time fund record was set with more than $12,500 raised for the homeless in the Hawkesbury Community. The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay took out the coveted DDF best scratch score trophy for a team score of 59 with 11 under. Foundation sponsors Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) and Catholic Church Insurances (CCI) were acknowledged for their support and commitment over 30 continuous years. Diocesan Golf Day organiser Ian Jordan said the event was a huge success. “Each year our success continues to grow and I believe this is testament to the faith and spirit of our community, coming together for a good cause,” Ian said. www.catholicoutlook.org NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 15
Page 1 and 2: CatholicOutlook The official public
Page 3 and 4: LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY 2016 DIOCES
Page 5 and 6: CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parramatta
Page 7 and 8: DIOCESAN NEWS New Blacktown centre
Page 9 and 10: CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
Page 11 and 12: PARISH PROFILE Fr Greg Jacobs SJ: a
Page 13: - Please give generously and provid
Page 17 and 18: INSTITUTE FOR MISSION Nourishment f
Page 19 and 20: OFFICE FOR WORSHIP More than 70 peo
Page 21 and 22: City of Parramatta a Refugee Welcom
Page 23 and 24: NEWS & EVENTS Students create a pla

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