Strong starts, exceptional growth - Year 3 NAPLAN results exceed national expectations

High-quality, evidence-informed teaching is helping drive strong outcomes for Year 3 students across several Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) schools, with NAPLAN results demonstrating achievement and growth that exceeds national averages.
 
Schools including St Peter Chanel Primary School, The Gap, St Joseph's Primary School, Bracken Ridge, and Guardian Angels Primary School, Wynnum attribute their success to continually refining teaching practice, using data and evidence to inform instruction, and maintaining a clear focus on student learning and growth.

Find out how these schools are strengthening teaching and learning to deliver improved outcomes for students.

St Peter Chanel Primary School, The Gap 

St Peter Chanel Primary School celebrated strong NAPLAN results, with Year 3 students achieving high levels of performance across literacy and numeracy.
In Writing, 92 per cent of Year 3 students achieved in the Strong or Exceeding proficiency bands, while 88 per cent reached these levels in Grammar and Punctuation, and 84 per cent in Spelling. In both Reading and Numeracy, 84 per cent of students also achieved in the Strong and Exceeding bands. 

St Peter Chanel Primary School Principal Bec O'Connor said the school's strong NAPLAN results were the culmination of several years of disciplined work to strengthen teaching practice and improve student outcomes. 

"Our NAPLAN growth wasn't the result of a single program,” she said. 

“It reflects years of disciplined engagement with Brisbane Catholic Education supported initiatives such as Foundations for Success, and a commitment to improving the consistency of teaching practice across every classroom.

"Teachers have developed a shared language, common instructional approaches and a deeper understanding of effective literacy practices. This consistency, combined with ongoing professional learning and a strong focus on evidence-informed teaching, has helped create the conditions for sustained student growth." 

St Joseph’s Primary School, Bracken Ridge 

At St Joseph's Primary School, Bracken Ridge, literacy emerged as a particular strength. 

Year 3 students achieved outstanding Writing results, with 95 per cent demonstrating proficiency, alongside strong outcomes in Spelling, and in Grammar and Punctuation.

These results continue a positive multi-year trend in student achievement. Year 5 students also recorded growth above the national average in Writing, Spelling, and Grammar and Punctuation. 

St Joseph’s Primary School Principal Brett Kitchener said the results reflect a sustained whole-school focus on evidence-informed teaching and a commitment to creating the best possible conditions for student learning. 

“Our school’s approach is grounded in research-informed practice, with teachers focusing on establishing optimum conditions for learning through explicit instruction, interleaved practice, daily review, and targeted feedback,” he said. 

“Collaborative planning, moderation processes, and rigorous analysis of assessment data also enable teachers to identify individual learning needs and provide tailored support and extension opportunities for all students. 

“A structured approach to Literacy and Numeracy instruction ensures that strong foundational skills are developed and strengthened throughout every year level, building students’ confidence and capacity for future success. 

“The school remains committed to responding to evidence, including the science of learning, to ensure every student is supported to achieve their full potential. 

“While we are very proud of our students’ achievements, these results also recognise the collective effort of our teachers and their commitment to high-quality teaching, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.” 

Guardian Angel's Primary School, Wynnum

Guardian Angels Primary School is celebrating strong student achievement, with continued improvement across literacy areas. 

Guardian Angel’s Primary School Veronica Tomerini-Smith said one of the most encouraging aspects of the results was the progress students have made throughout their learning journey, with the proportion achieving in the Strong and Exceeding proficiency levels increasing across Reading, Grammar, and Punctuation, Spelling, and Numeracy between Year 3 in 2024 and Year 5 in 2026. 

In Reading, the proportion of Year 3 students achieving in the Strong and Exceeding proficiency bands increased from 73 per cent to 82 per cent,” she said.  

“Our Year 5 students also achieved exceptional Numeracy outcomes, with 78 per cent demonstrating proficiency and growth rates exceeding national benchmarks, while 45 per cent achieved at the Exceeding proficiency level in Reading.” 

Veronica said behind every result was a collective commitment to student success.  

“These outcomes reflect a sustained and strategic focus on improvement over a number of years,” she said. 

“Through our Explicit Improvement Agenda, Guardian Angels has worked intentionally to strengthen Literacy and Numeracy outcomes by establishing a clear and coherent approach to teaching and learning. 

“This work is underpinned by evidence-informed practice, high-quality curriculum design, rigorous moderation processes, regular analysis of student learning data and a continued commitment to the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.” 

MTSS is a school-wide framework used to identify and support students' academic, behavioural, social, and emotional needs through increased levels of targeted support. It is designed to ensure that all students receive the right level of assistance at the right time. 

“Together, these practices have created a strong, consistent and coherent approach to teaching and learning across the school,” Veronica adds. 

“A key driver of this success has also been our school's culture of collaboration.  

“Teachers are deeply committed to learning together, sharing effective practice, reflecting on evidence and taking collective responsibility for student growth.” 

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Image caption: St Peter Chanel Primary School celebrated strong NAPLAN results, with Year 3 students achieving high levels of performance across literacy and numeracy. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Peter Chanel Primary School, The Gap (2026).