Beyond NAPLAN: The Growth That Matters Most

By Paul Rees, Principal 

One of the most rewarding conversations I have with parents often starts the same way: 

"My child never used to enjoy reading, but now they can't put a book down." 

Those moments matter. 

While assessments such as NAPLAN provide a valuable snapshot of student achievement, they only tell part of the story. At OLR, we're equally interested in the growth that happens every day in our classrooms. The small steps that, over time, become significant leaps in confidence, capability and a love of learning. 

That's why we track every student's reading development from Prep to Year 6 using DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessments. This allows us to understand exactly where each child is in their literacy journey and, more importantly, what they need next. 

For some students, that might mean targeted support to strengthen foundational skills. For others, it could be extension opportunities that challenge them to reach even higher. The goal is never simply to measure learning. It's to respond to it. At OLR, we believe ALL learners can progress. 

Our teachers use this information to provide focused interventions and learning sprints that help students make meaningful progress throughout the year. Rather than waiting for a report card or a standardised test, we can identify needs early and act quickly. 

This approach reflects a belief that sits at the heart of everything we do at OLR: every child can grow. 

Children develop at different rates. They have different strengths, interests and learning needs. Success isn't about every student reaching the same point at the same time. Success is about helping each learner take their next step forward. 

As educators, some of our proudest moments aren't found in data sets or test results. They're seeing a hesitant reader become a confident one. Watching a child persevere through a challenge. Hearing a student proudly share something they once thought they couldn't do. 

Those moments tell us we're making a difference. 

At OLR, we certainly celebrate achievement. But we also celebrate progress, because we know that when children experience growth, they build confidence. And confident learners are equipped to thrive not only at school, but throughout life. 

Because the most important question isn't simply, "How is my child performing?" 

It's "How is my child growing?" 

And that's the growth that matters most. 

Photo © Brisbane Catholic Education, Our Lady of the Rosary School Kenmore (2026)