NAPLAN 2025

NAPLAN has commenced at BPS and we aim to make it an experience that is as stress free as possible for students. With the right support, students are able to approach NAPLAN with confidence and teachers, and parents play a crucial role in helping students prepare and manage test-related anxiety.

How We Assist Students: Students participated in practice tests and had access to online demonstration sites to help them understand the question types and test structure.

1. Building Confidence – Teachers integrate NAPLAN-style questions into everyday learning, making assessments feel like a natural part of schoolwork.
2. Encouraging a Positive Mindset – Teachers emphasise that NAPLAN is just one measure of progress and encourage students to do their best without undue pressure.
3. Stress Management Techniques – BPS teach mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and time management strategies to help students stay calm and focussed.
4. Supportive Learning Environment – Extra tutoring, small-group sessions, and individualised assistance ensures students feel prepared and supported.

The Benefits of NAPLAN

• Tracks Student Progress – Helps teachers and parents understand a child's literacy and numeracy skills compared to national benchmarks.
• Guides Teaching Strategies – Results assist educators in identifying strengths and areas for improvement, leading to targeted learning approaches.
• Prepares Students for Future Assessments – Encourages test-taking skills and resilience which are valuable to conclude primary school, for high school and beyond.
• Informs Education Policies – Provides data to improve school programs and national education standards.

With the right approach, NAPLAN can be a positive experience, helping students develop essential skills while reducing stress and anxiety. We are very proud of the maturity and effort our students are putting in to NAPLAN 2025.

The Power of Perspective Taking in Parenting

Dr Justin Coulson

My two children were fighting. Again.

“Abbie, what is going on?” Abbie described how Chanel teased her, was mean, and was hurting her. “Chanel, is that true?” I asked the older of the two girls. Her reply was instant. Without meeting my eyes, she said, “No”.

“Chanel, if I were to ask you to pretend to be Abbie and I had you describe what went on, what would you say to me?” Chanel reluctantly took Abbie’s perspective and acknowledged that Abbie would say that “Chanel teased me, was mean, and hurt me.”

A man spoke to a famous speaker after a conference about relationships. “I can’t understand my son. He won’t listen to me.”

The speaker responded, “Let me say back to you what I just heard you tell me. You can’t understand your son because he won’t listen to you.”

“That’s right”, the man confirmed.

The speaker reiterated, “Let me say it again. You can’t understand your son because he won’t listen to you.” He paused as the man stared at him. Then he added, “I thought that to understand your son, you need to listen to him.”

I’ve heard many exasperated parents ask me variations on the same question. “Why is my child like this? Why do they do that? Why can’t they just listen and understand?” 

As adults, we have a lot more life experience than children. We’ve seen more, learned more, and faced more challenges. It’s easy to forget what it’s like to see the world through a child’s eyes. Yet when our children feel understood, truly listened to, life works better—for them and for us.

How to Better Understand Your Child’s Perspective

• Remember what it was like to be a child. Think back to your own childhood experiences. What were your fears and worries? What challenges did you face?
• Listen attentively to your child. Pay attention to what they say and how they say it. Try to understand their feelings and point of view.
• Ask questions to gain clarity. Don’t assume you know what they’re thinking or feeling. Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings.
• Be patient and understanding. Children are still learning and growing. They may not always have the words to express themselves clearly.
• Avoid dismissing their feelings. Even if their worries seem small to you, they are very real to your child.

Sharing Your Perspective in a Helpful Way

• Offer comfort and reassurance. Let your child know that you’re there for them.
• Share your own experiences (in an age-appropriate way). This can help them understand that challenges are a normal part of life and that they can overcome them.
• Help them develop coping strategies. Teach them healthy ways to deal with stress and difficult emotions, such as deep breathing, talking about their feelings, or engaging in physical activity.

By remembering to see the world through your child’s eyes, you can build a stronger connection with them and help them navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

Ken and Jayne

Bonbeach March Farmers Market – A Huge Success!

The Bonbeach March Farmers Market was a great day out, with 1,553 patrons and 83 stalls filling the market with fresh produce, delicious treats, and handmade goods. Despite the warm weather and the long weekend, many stalls sold out, highlighting the incredible support from our community!

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers for their support and assistance—your efforts make these markets possible!

The next Market is on Sunday, April 13^th. This market will be run by our Year 3/4 families, so keep an eye out for an email to sign up and volunteer your time.

Fun Fact: In just 10 years, both our stall numbers and patron attendance have doubled—will we see this incredible growth continue over the next decade?

We look forward to seeing you at the next market!