Literacy and numeracy data from the most recent NAPLAN test results has revealed that students from public schools are outperforming those from expensive private schools in Australia. The data also shows that star students are not always from English speaking backgrounds.
Cabramatta High School, in Sydney's south-west, is one of 330 schools across the country identified as making major gains in NAPLAN tests in 2017.
Of the 1506 students enrolled at the school, 96 percent come from non-English speaking backgrounds. Between students and teachers, 60 different languages are spoken at the school.
"We've got students coming in to the school who've only had two or three years of formal education. They're coming in and they're coming into the mainstream... their English isn't very good. It's a huge challenge for our teachers."
"I think to learn English in a very short space of time to a level that they can compete with students that were born in Australia, is an opportunity for us to engage the best teachers and the best programs," he said.
Tailoring teaching to students' needs
Head mathematics teacher Greg Powers has been instrumental in Cabramatta High School being acknowledged as producing above average gains in numeracy. Last year it scored 73.7 points for growth - 21.3 points higher than the average for schools in New South Wales.
Mr Powers told SBS News that tailoring teaching to the students' needs was key to achieving such an outstanding result.
"I've got very experienced teachers; I've got teachers that have been on the staff for a long period of time. They know the school, they know the students, they've been able to tailor their teaching to the individual needs of students."
"We've also had some new teachers come in, younger teachers and that keeps us older teachers motivated and enthused about what we're doing," he said.
Literacy is key
Mr Powers attributes part of Cabramatta High School's success to an emphasis on literacy, even during maths classes.
"If students don't understand the question, they can't do the mathematics, so there is an emphasis on literacy in the mathematics classroom and also across the school and that makes a difference."
The school also offers a homework club until 5pm each weekday, which Principal Beth Godwin describes as "co-parenting."
"Our families work really hard, they have come to Australia to make a better life for themselves and their children, so maybe they're not always able to be at home for the homework help or for listening to their child read. So we try to offer that here at school," Ms Godwin told SBS News.
Teachers also encourage parents to participate in the NAPLAN test, by completing some of the activities themselves.
"So they can see the level of English required and what their children are facing."
MySchool website reveals top performers
Robert Randall from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority said the revamped MySchool website gives the most up-to-date information about all Australian schools, including their NAPLAN results.
"You can look at MySchool and find schools working in similar circumstances with similar students and see what's worked for them. And I know principals are more than happy to share that experience, because it improves results everywhere."
