1. Year 7 Parent Learning Group NAPLAN Information Session Term 2 Week 3, 2015

2. Merewether High School Consolidating strengths in Literacy and Numeracy

3.  National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy  All students in years 3 /5 /7 and 9 participate in tests for Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy.  Both Government and Non-Government schools right across Australia must participate.

4.  NAPLAN tests the skills that are essential for all children to possess in order to progress through school and life.  The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individuals are performing and how we can support students for further improvements and success.

5.  5 tests across 3 days Literacy Tests  Tuesday 12th May – Language and Writing  Wednesday 13th May – Reading Numeracy Tests  Thursday 14th May - Numeracy (calculator) and Numeracy (non-calculator)

6.  MHS is committed to preparing our students to excel in literacy and numeracy.  Student literacy and numeracy improvement is everyone's business.

7. Data from individual student results is analysed and used to develop teaching and learning programs that target individual and group improvement. Curriculum emphasis on narrative and persuasive writing strategies. Trial Numeracy NAPLAN assessment Term 1 2015 Classroom learning activities and assessment items across all KLA’s towards improving student literacy and numeracy.

8. Writing genre for 2015 NAPLAN tests  The genre for writing will not be disclosed prior to the test period, but will be either narrative or persuasive.  Assessing the writing task The writing criteria for both persuasive and narrative writing tasks follow.

11.  Individual Item performance in all components.  Individual Growth.  Achievement against school average.  Achievement against National standards.  Achievement across bands from Band 4 to Band 9 for Year 7 students

12.  Help your child to understand their areas of strength and areas for improvement.  Share the value of literacy and numeracy, and encourage and support your child to improve in this critical area.  Information for parents can be found on the Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) site at http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/naplan/info- for-parents.html http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/naplan/info- for-parents.html

13. http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/ There are dozens of practical help guides for Literacy and Numeracy

17.  Interactive fun games.  Access to mathematic concepts from K – 12  www.youcandomaths.com.au www.youcandomaths.com.au  Mathsonline

18.  There are also a comprehensive range of books available from stores and local newsagents. For example, Excel have a variety of booklets that have revision and homework exercises as well as NAPLAN practice tests.

19. are skills for life

20.  What did you like about today’s presentation?  Is there anything you would like to see changed or included in the format for future meetings?  What areas would you like us to discuss with you in 2015?