Catholic schools across Australia recognised for strong growth in NAPLAN results

Reposted from National Catholic Education Commission on 8 December 2025

Catholic schools across Australia have been acknowledged for strong student growth and performance in the recently released NAPLAN results, with more than 50 schools featured among those recognised by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) as “making a difference.” The new nationally consistent, school-level dataset, released last week, includes NAPLAN results, vocational education training participation, attendance, and enrolment information.

National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) Executive Director Jacinta Collins said the release of the information provides families with vital insight to make informed decisions.

“Parents and carers choose education based on their values and aspirations. The release of data on the profile and performance of our 1,751 schools across Australia helps them make those decisions – transparency is an essential part of an educational system that promotes informed choice for families,” she said.

Ms Collins highlighted that Catholic schools were strongly represented among ACARA’s ‘schools making a difference’. In celebrating schools in their jurisdictions, the common theme was a commitment to fundamentals amongst a comprehensive and well-rounded Catholic education.

“In addition to the academic growth shown through progress data, we know our Catholic schools offer spiritual, emotional, and social development in an environment of safety and security,” Ms Collins said.

“It is the holistic education and commitment to continuous improvement that sees all Catholic schools making a difference.”

Across the country, stories of Catholic schools improving the learning of students was demonstrated by the inclusion of student progress data.

“Regardless of a student’s starting point, education is about growth. NAPLAN is one important source of data that helps schools refine teaching practice and support every learner. While no single measure is perfect, growth data gives us a strong foundation for conversations about improving outcomes,” she said.

Schools in the Australian Capital Territory were celebrated by the Diocese of Canberra/Goulburn as exemplars of the system-wide emphasis on literacy and numeracy that reflects Catholic Social Teaching – prioritising the growth of academic results alongside spiritual development and faith formation.

In Tasmania, a number of Catholic schools were recognised for significant student progress across multiple year levels and learning domains with the diocese crediting its Insight into Learning initiative. This work focuses on developing teacher expertise through high-quality professional learning, coaching, and school-level support to improve teaching and learning.

In Queensland, multiple schools were featured in ACARA’s listings. When celebrating the success, the schools across the state thanked teachers, students and parents recognising that NAPLAN success is a result of the hard work of a whole community.

In New South Wales, Catholic schools featured prominently among schools recognised for their strong progress data. Diocesan and RIMPJP schools celebrated for learning environments where students progress is significantly above similar students.

These achievements reflect a focus on evidence-based teaching strategies and professional learning that supports both students and educators. It is reflective of what is happening across Catholic education where indeed ALL schools make a difference,” Collins said.

“These results provide encouraging evidence that Catholic schools are helping every child reach their potential through a comprehensive, faith-filled approach to education,” Collins said.

See below Catholic Diocesan and RIMPJP schools included in ACARA’s list of schools making a difference:

• Cerdon College, Merrylands, NSW

• Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta, NSW

• Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Villawood, NSW

• St Felix Catholic Primary School, Bankstown, NSW

• Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School, Sefton, NSW

• Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Cabramatta, NSW

• St Joseph’s School, Springvale, Vic

• San Sisto College, Carina, Qld

• St Joseph’s College, Rangeville, Qld

• Assumption College, Warwick, Qld

• St Thomas More College, Sunnybank, Qld

• Marymount College, Burleigh Waters, Qld

• Star of the Sea School, Henley Beach. SA

• Saint Ignatius’ College – Senior School Campus, Athelstone, SA

• Servite College, Tuart Hill, WA

• Mercedes College, Perth, WA

• La Salle College, Middle Swan, WA

• St Luke’s College, Karratha, WA

• Dominic College, Glenorchy, Tas

• St Anthony’s Catholic School, Riverside, Tas

• St Thomas More’s Catholic School, Newstead, Tas

• St Patrick’s College, Prospect Vale, Tas

• Merici College, Braddon, ACT

• Merici College, Griffith, ACT

• Sacred Heart Primary School, Pearce, ACT

• St Thomas More’s Primary School, Campbell, ACT

• St Benedict’s Primary School, Narrabundah, ACT

• St Vincent’s Primary School, Aranda, ACT

Mother Teresa School, Harrison, ACT

The below list represents up to 2 of the highest achieving schools selected in each Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Statistical Area 4 (SA4):

• St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, Tumbi Umbi, NSW

• Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School Orange, NSW

• MacKillop College Bathurst, NSW

• Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell, Tormina, NSW

• St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School Coonamble, NSW

• St John’s Catholic Primary School Dubbo, NSW

• St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar, NSW

• St Clare’s High School, Taree, NSW

• St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie, NSW

• St Joseph’s Primary School, Merewether, NSW

• St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Mittagong, NSW

• St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Stanmore, NSW

• St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Botany, NSW

• Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Ingleburn, NSW

• Nazareth School, Grovedale, Vic

• St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge, Qld

• St Augustine’s Parish Primary School, Currumbin Waters, Qld

• St Benedict’s College, Mango Hill, Qld

• St Joseph’s Catholic School, Mount Isa, Qld

• Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham, Qld

• St Mary’s College, Maryborough, Qld

• St Joseph’s School, Port Lincoln, SA

• Our Lady of Mercy College, Australind, WA

• Nagle Catholic College, Geraldton, WA

• John Paul College, Kalgoorlie, WA