NAPLAN results show Uplift across CSPD schools

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) is seeing encouraging signs of improvement in the latest NAPLAN results, with strong growth across a number of schools and year groups.

The results reflect the work happening every day in classrooms across CSPD schools throughout Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, as they continue to strengthen teaching through the Effective Learning and Teaching Model, which was implemented in 2025 as part of CSPD’s Uplift approach to improving outcomes for students.

CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot said the progress was a credit to teachers, school leaders and students, and shows the value of keeping a clear focus on what makes the biggest difference to learning.

“There are some great green shoots coming through as a result of a lot of hard work and a really precise focus on what matters most in learning,” said Jack. “We continue to be encouraged by the way schools are embracing Uplift. This is our long-term approach to teaching and learning, and we will keep investing in our teachers and leaders so they have the knowledge, support and confidence to make the best decisions for their students.”

Executive General Manager - Learning, Quality & Performance, Pat Ellis, was encouraged by the results and said they showed our schools are moving in the right direction.

“Great learning comes from great teaching, and that takes time, teamwork and a willingness to keep improving,” said Pat. “Our focus is on making sure every school and every teacher has the support they need to help every student make progress.”

Highlights from the 2026 NAPLAN results include:

St Matthew’s Primary Windsor
St Matthew’s Primary Windsor recorded strong improvement across all NAPLAN domains following several years of work to strengthen the teaching of English and Mathematics, with a particular focus on explicit instruction, a knowledge-rich curriculum and reading fluency.

For the first time since the current NAPLAN scoring system was introduced, Year 3 students performed above both the state and national averages in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation, and Numeracy.

Year 5 students have also made strong progress, performing above the national average in every area except Spelling and above the state average in Reading, Writing, and Grammar and Punctuation.

“We’re incredibly proud of how far our students have come," said St Matthew’s Primary Principal Ben Ticehurst. “These results are more than just numbers, they reflect the work happening in our classrooms every day, with clear explanations, careful modelling, plenty of practice and immediate feedback helping every student build confidence and make progress.”

“These results point to a genuine school-wide improvement in teaching,” said CSPD Head of Performance Karen May. “It’s a great result for Ben and the team at St Matthew’s and reflects their strategic and considered approach to improving student outcomes.”

Our Lady of the Way Primary Emu Plains
Our Lady of the Way Primary Emu Plains saw encouraging growth in Reading, Writing and Numeracy across both Years 3 and 5, following a sustained focus on consistent teaching practice across the school.

Reading and Writing mean scores are now above the state average in all tested year levels, while Numeracy mean scores improved across all year levels compared with 2025.

The school has also increased the proportion of students achieving Strong and Exceeding proficiency in Numeracy from Year 3 to Year 5, while reducing the number requiring additional support.

The improvement follows several years of strengthening Literacy and Numeracy teaching, particularly in Kindergarten to Year 2, alongside targeted support for students who need additional help.

Bede Polding College South Windsor
Bede Polding College South Windsor has continued to make progress in Reading and Writing, narrowing the gap with the state average and building on improvements seen in recent years.

The College has also increased the proportion of students achieving at the Exceeding proficiency level in Numeracy, providing another encouraging sign of growth across key areas of learning.