In what was a win for many local schools, the 2017 National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results revealed many years three, five, seven and nine classes achieved above average results.

Students at St Nicholas Primary School’s students recorded above average results across the board compared to other Australian schools.

Calrossy Anglican School's year seven students were above the average mark for all Australian schools in reading and grammar, while year nine were above average in reading

Hillvue year three students delivered results substantially above similar schools for all subjects, while year 5 excelled in reading, writing and grammar compared to similar schools.

Tamworth Public School students were substantially above the national average results in writing.

Carinya Christian School's year nine students performed above average against all Australian schools in reading and numeracy in a year when their results were to go towards the minimum requirements to achieve their High School Certificate.

The move was quashed in a sensational announcement by NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes late last month.

Carinya’s head of senior school Josh Davis told The Leader students were made aware NAPLAN was only a chance to “pre-qualify” for the HSC.

“What we always say to the kids is to be faithful and do the best with the gift they have been given,” he said. 

“That takes the pressure off the kids and at the same time motivates them to do the best they can with what they have.

"NAPLAN is a chance to pre-qualify for the HSC and we regularly used that phrase in what we were doing with the kids and to do their best.

“We did a fair bit of education with parents and there was no pressure.

 “If they did pre-qualify it was fantastic and if they didn’t it wasn’t a big deal.”