25 August 2021

Despite the obvious challenges of the past two years, students in Victorian Catholic schools have shown remarkable resilience to achieve largely pleasing National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results in 2021.

‘Under the most trying of circumstances, this year’s results are a credit to the professionalism and dedication of principals, teachers, students and their families’, Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) Executive Director Jim Miles said.

‘During the pandemic, principals and teachers have built stronger relationships with parents – every child’s first educators – and inspired a collaborative effort to ensure educational continuity and spiritual and emotional growth for the students in their care.

‘Together, they have achieved great success, and our Catholic learning communities across Victoria have retained their vibrancy, connection and faith.’

Mr Miles said the primary purpose of the NAPLAN tests is as a diagnostic tool to assist teachers and schools to better understand areas for improvement.

‘While there is a lot to unpack from the data, the results broadly show improvements in literacy across the Catholic sector, with some declines in numeracy scores.

‘Schools will receive individual results in coming weeks and do a thorough analysis to inform where their energies need to be focused to ensure all students are given every opportunity to reach their full potential.

‘Once again, I congratulate and thank principals, teachers, students and families for everything you have done over the past 18 months.

‘Your hard work and commitment throughout the coronavirus pandemic have ensured we face the future with strong educational foundations.

‘I also take this opportunity to congratulate all Victorian schools and educators, and to thank Education Minister James Merlino and his government for their ongoing collaboration with and support for Catholic schools’, Mr Miles said.

More than 20% of all Victorian students attend one of 498 Catholic schools across the state.

Media contact: Gerard Delaney on 0413 274 176 or gdelaney@macs.vic.edu.au

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