EDUCATION

NAPLAN testing commences across Australia

STUDENTS across Australia undertook their NAPLAN tests this week, assessing crucial school learning skills like reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy for years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Education Minister Grace Grace says that while the testing is crucial to guage the literacy and numeracy levels of students across the country, testing is not the only way to assess a student’s learning and abilities.

“Everyone needs to remember that this is just one

Schools celebrate mothers

SCHOOLS across the Burdekin made preparations ahead of Mothers Day last Sunday, inviting students to celebrate their mums and grandmothers and buy gifts for Sunday May 9th.

Students at Burdekin Christian College celebrated with a morning tea, East Ayr State School created a pop-up gift stall and students from Ayr State School created artwork for mum.

Burdekin Christian College invited students and mums to a morning tea

Students at East Ayr State School bought gifts for mum at a pop up stall

of the ways we can monitor students’ progress and work out how to channel resources and provide more targeted support.

“We know from parents and teachers there are shortcomings with how it currently operates and we will continue to advocate for improvements, noting that any future changes need to be agreed by all education ministers across the country.

“Some form of standardised national testing is required, and for now that is NAPLAN.”

She says the best advice for students going into any kind of standardised test is to stay calm.

“Relax and do your best is the best advice - from me and from parents and carers,” Ms Grace said as schools across Australia head into online or written nationally-required tests up to May 21.

“I send my best wishes to students in all of our 1700 state and non-government schools who will sit the tests this year.”

NAPLAN testing began in schools across Australia from Tuesday,11 May.

The Education Council of all state, territory and Commonwealth education ministers cancelled NAPLAN last year nationally because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministers also extended the national timeline for transitioning to NAPLAN Online until 2022.

A total of 1151 Queensland schools, including 749 state schools, are moving to NAPLAN Online this year.

Students learn about water safety from the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club

Marina Trajkovich

THE Ayr Surf Life Saving Club paid a visit to Burdekin Christian College last week to discuss water safety with students, part of their ongoing educational programs in the district.

Anne Moloney from the Club says that by visiting schools, kids are able to familiarise themselves with local lifeguards, learning how to stay safe at the beach and in the water.

“We do go around to local schools throughout the year where our members will educate students on swimming between the red and yellow flags,” says Anne.

“It’s about educating the kids and letting them know that when they visit the beach, any beach in Queensland, they know they can go to a lifesaver.”

Anne stresses that each beach has different conditions and that knowing your surroundings or feeling comfortable approaching a lifeguard on duty can be crucial to staying safe.

“We discuss how to check before you go into the water. We do have rips and quite a strong current at Alva, so it’s about educating people that if they go into the ocean, whether it’s stinger season or not, swimming between the red and yellow flags is the best option,” says Anne.

“We dress them up in a patrol uniform, it’s about educating them about the red and yellow and making them feel comfortable. We talk about sharks, stingers, all the things that can happen at the beach.”

“The kids do love it and they enjoy having the lifeguards come to the schools, they do love the beach so making them feel safe and letting them know they can approach us is really important.”