St Brigid's Catholic School was put on the ACARA 'Schools Making a Difference' list for 2025 after the students aced this year's NAPLAN tests.

Newly released National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) data shows the students scored the second highest results in the Zone.

They were recognised alongside MacKillop Bathurst, Catherine McAuley Orange, and St John's Primary Dubbo.

Two other western plains schools were also acknowledged for their performance in this year's NAPLAN, proving size doesn't matter when it comes to quality education.

St Brigids School Principal Gai Gilmore said the high rankings are a testament to the community inside the school gates.

This year, 45 students across year three and five at St Brigid's had a go at the literacy and numeracy exams.

According to the Myschool report, students in grade three scored well above similar schools in writing, grammar and numeracy.

In reading and spelling they scored just above average.

The students in year five scored well above the average across all criteria.

The highest marks were in grammar, where students produced an average score of 515 points.

NAPLAN is a nationwide test for students in year three, five, seven and nine, assessing the overall development and education of students in literacy and numeracy.

“It’s an acknowledgement of the hard work of all the staff, not just the teachers but the whole team,” Mrs Gilmour said.

“We try to make sure there’s no pressure for the students to perform.

“I think they just see it as part of their everyday learning.”

Narromine Christian School is fresh and focused on learning.

At Narromine Christian School results were also above the average and Principal Anthony Smith says is due to dedicated students and teaching staff.

The school has 180 students.

''We're very excited and over the moon with the growth in the past 3 years," he said.

"It shows learning and engagement is really paying off.''

"Our children work together and NAPLAN was just business as usual for them," Mr Smith said.

Year 3 scores showed reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy above the state average.

Year 5 are excelling in reading 493, writing 488, both well above the state average.

Mendooran Central School. [IMAGE: facebook]

At Mendooran Central School, hometown Warrumbungle Shire Councillor Debra Bell has given love and praise to students for reaching NAPLAN scores well in the state average last two years.

‘’We are absolutely elated to hear Mendooran is rating alongside the very best," she said.

‘’This shows the massive impact of a small bush school of almost 100 students.

"Despite being small it doesn’t lack the capacity to go to the highest level.

“I went to Mendooran Central School and loved it, my grand children are there.

‘’It goes to show if you live in a positive community with fantastic teachers mentoring you will achieve.’’

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said improving attendances in the years since COVID and good results were positive.

Both ACARA’s My School website and the latest National Report on Schooling data portal update, also released December 2, show an increase in student attendance during Semester 1 2025 (Terms 1 and 2).

Overall, the national attendance rate was 88.8% (up slightly from 88.3%) and the national attendance level – the proportion of students in Years 1–10 whose attendance rate is equal to or greater than 90% – was 62.1% (up from 59.4%).

Carers and wider school communities can now access the latest information on schools in their area on the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) My School website, which has been updated with 2025 NAPLAN data and other school-level information.

The 2025 update includes data on student progress, which shows how much the same students at the same school have improved since their previous NAPLAN assessment 2 years ago.

This information helps clearly demonstrate the progress of students’ learning over the years at all Australian schools.

“ACARA’s My School website provides parents, carers and the community with clear and transparent data on Australia’s schools,” said ACARA’s CEO, Stephen Gniel.

“The return of information on student progress, following improvements to NAPLAN including assessments and results being available earlier in the year, shows how much the same students at the same school have improved since their previous NAPLAN assessments.

 “Student progress data provides the information to celebrate improvement in a fairer way that considers the individual circumstances of a school, as well as to better identify areas for renewed or continued focus.

“With detailed information on every school in the country, ACARA’s My School is the only website that publishes nationally consistent, school-level data that all Australians can see for free.

“The full range of data on ACARA’s My School website helps school leaders, teachers, parents and carers understand the full value and quality of a school.

"This includes NAPLAN results within the broader context in which each school operates, such as its socio-educational advantage,” Mr Gniel said.

Find information about schools in your area at the My School website.