11 hours ago
2
Victorian girls’ secondary schools have maintained their edge over boys’ schools and many co-ed schools in this year’s NAPLAN testing.
Among the top 50 Catholic schools, 21 are girls’ schools and 11 are boys’ schools, while among other non-government schools, 11 are girls’ schools and four are boys’ schools. The top government schools include three girls’ schools and one boys’ school.
Sacre Coeur Glen Iris principal Adelina Melia-Douvos and year 8 student Charlotte Martin.Credit: Paul Jeffers
Girls’ school Sacre Coeur in Glen Iris was the top-performing school across this year’s NAPLAN results among Catholic secondary schools.
Deputy principal Megan Marshall said the strong results came down to teachers being specialists when it came to educating girls.
“Girls work best in groups, and that’s something we do in all of our classes,” Marshall said.
“When they are moving into adolescence, we look at the character formation of our students. The big thing for girls is they really need to feel a sense of belonging in those years. Then in year 9 to year 12 it’s more future focused and providing pathways for them in school and beyond it.”
In 2021, the school introduced an alumni program under which the previous year’s year 12 students tutor those in years 7 to 12. The approach has been so successful the school plans to extend it for years 5 and 6 students from next year.
Presbyterian Ladies’ College maintained its strong NAPLAN results this year, placing it among the highest for all private schools in the state alongside Ballarat Clarendon College and Huntingtower School in Glen Waverley.
PLC principal Emma Burgess, who in October became the 150-year-old college’s 13th principal, said the results came down to the hard work of students, and the dedication and expertise of staff.
“In our junior school, we use explicit teaching techniques to build solid learning foundations, which we build upon as they progress through their secondary school years,” Burgess said.
“Throughout their whole journey at PLC, we provide both learning support and extension opportunities. As the girls develop, we give them more opportunities to take agency over their own learning and expand their independent thinking.”
Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School was among four government select-entry schools in the state that achieve well-above average compared with students from similar backgrounds. It is also one of three girls’ schools with results in the top 50 public schools.
Principal Sue Harrap said the school used the data as a diagnostic tool to understand where students were at so we can better meet their needs.
“Because the students start at year 9, the credit should go to the primary and secondary schools they have come from,” Harrap said of the results.
Loading
“Our challenge is to ensure we achieve continued growth, and we maximise the potential of these young learners. We work really hard to ensure they continue their strong growth and achieve outstanding outcomes when they graduate.”
There are several overlapping reasons why girls show stronger performance at single-sex schools than boys, says Dr Milorad Cerovac, an education lecturer at La Trobe University. This includes that girls, on average, mature earlier in aspects of their executive functioning, which assists the capacity to plan, focus and organise tasks.
“These skills naturally support stronger outcomes on standardised tests such as NAPLAN.”
Cerovac said given many single-sex schools were comparatively well resourced, this significantly influenced their academic performance including their ability to target gender stereotypes.
“This can encourage girls to participate more freely in class, take on leadership roles, and engage confidently in all subjects, including STEM, where gender disparities are well documented.”
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
Most Viewed in National
Loading
