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NAPLAN Online – School Readiness Test
In 2022 all schools are required to transition from the current paper-based tests to the computer-based assessments. NAPLAN Online provides a better assessment, more precise results and is more engaging for students. The assessments can run through a real-time internet connection or onscreen without an internet connection. Watch the short clip: Understanding NAPLAN Online

At Penola Catholic College, significant planning must be carried out to make sure we are all ready to move NAPLAN online. Should we return to face to face teaching in Term 4, students in Year 7 and Year 9 will participate in a School Readiness Test (SRT) on October 5. If we are still engaged in remote learning this SRT will be rescheduled.

The School Readiness Test is a ‘practice run’ for Penola to assess our technology ahead of NAPLAN Online. The readiness test is not an assessment of student ability. The readiness test allows Penola to:

  • Become familiar with the NAPLAN Online test format and processes
  • Check whether we have the technical capacity to administer NAPLAN Online
  • Provide students in NAPLAN Years 7 and 9 with the opportunity to experience the online test question types and format by completing a practice NAPLAN online test

Your child will not need any academic preparation for the school readiness test. This is not a test of their literacy and numeracy skills, but an opportunity for them to experience the online test format and for Penola to assess its online testing capability. The School Readiness Test is expected to include two assessments: a writing assessment and a combined numeracy/literacy assessment. The duration of each assessment will be approximately 40 minutes. Students with additional learning needs will be supported by the learning enhancement team.

There will be feedback to schools about the technical information gained from the readiness testing. There will be no reporting of student test results from the readiness test as this is a practice and readiness test only.

The assessment is delivered inside a locked-down browser. This ensures students cannot access the internet or spellcheckers while completing the test. The lock-down browser has, in most cases, been installed on your child’s device. Students with BYOD laptops (non school issued laptops) need to download and install the NAPLAN Browser in order to do the NAPLAN Test. Please see the links below to download the most appropriate NAPLAN Browser for your Operating System. For information about the NAPLAN Locked Down Browser please click here.

In advance of taking NAPLAN Online, students, teachers and parents are invited to use the public demonstration tests to familiarise themselves with the type of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online assessment.

Some of the key features include a range of question types, onscreen tools, timers and interactive navigation. Students are encouraged to try all the tests for their year level to practice the complete range of question formats available in the online assessment.

For more information

What does my child need for the School Readiness Test on October 5?

  • Headphones are required for some questions that include sound in the spelling, writing and numeracy tests. Please ensure that your child brings plug in headphones on October 5. Bluetooth headphones may not work during the test.
  • A fully charged laptop
  • Pens

Year 12 School Assessed Coursework
Parents, as you would be aware a numbers of Unit 4 SACS were postponed due to the extended lockdown. Consequently, a number of SACS have been scheduled for Week 2 of the forthcoming term break. These will occur via MS TEAMs meetings. All VCAA and Penola Catholic College regulations apply. Please ensure that your son/daughter is familiar with the schedule posted in the Principal’s report and on the Year 12 page on MyPenola. The remaining SACS will be scheduled early in Term 4. Further details will be shared once we know more regarding the resumption of classes on campus. In addition, a reminder that the trial exams will now occur during double lessons during Term 4 classes.

I wish students and families all the best as we take the opportunity to take some time away from screens during the holidays. Stay safe and know that we are doing all that we can to mitigate any learning loss during this current situation.

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