Director of Teaching and Learning, Term 3 Week 8 2025

ACER PAT Testing – Years 1 to 9

Over the next few weeks, our Junior School and Middle School students will be undertaking the annual Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Reading, Mathematics and Science. These assessments are designed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and provide valuable, standardised data to help us better understand each student’s progress over time.

Please note that the appropriate adjustments will be for students on an Individual Learning Plan (ILP).

PAT testing supports us in:

• Identifying strengths and areas for growth for each student.
• Tracking progress over time, including monitoring the impact of current interventions.
• Informing teaching practices and guiding targeted support.
• Determining suitability for extension opportunities, including, but not limited to the Year 10 Advanced Science pathway.

Each assessment is administered in under 60 minutes through ACER’s secure online platform or using paper-based tests. Teachers will administer the test at an appropriate time in the curriculum between now and the end of the term.

Testing Schedule:

• Years 1–6:          Reading Comprehension and Mathematics – Weeks 7–10
• Year 9: Science – Weeks 7–8 during a double Science lesson.
• Years 7–9:          English and Mathematics – Week 9 during double lessons, with catch-up sessions in Week 10.

If you have any questions about the upcoming tests, please contact myself, Mr John McCall (Head of Teaching and Learning 7-12), Mrs Sue Mavropoulos (Head of Teaching and Learning R-6, and Gifted and Talented Coordinator) or Carrie Phillis (Head of Inclusive Education)

Learning Conferences – This Wednesday 10 September.

Online conferences:                            4.00–6.00pm
Face-to-face conferences:                 6.30–8.00pm

These sessions provide an excellent opportunity for families and teachers to connect and discuss student progress.

Meeting links for the online conferences will become available via Booked 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. To access the Microsoft Teams link, please click on the Booked App or Website (link here). Each appointment will have its own meeting link attached.

Face-to-face interview locations:

ELC and Junior School Face to Face interviews (from 6:30pm) will take place in your child’s classroom.

Middle and Senior School Face to Face interviews (from 6:30pm) will be held in the Graham Lange Centre (Middle School building). Handouts with teacher room locations will be provided on the day and signage will also be displayed on the classrooms. 

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the PA in your child’s sub-school:

Middle School/Senior School
Erika Kirkwood
8216 5588
erika.kirkwood@pulteney.sa.edu.au

Junior School
Kass Woods
8216 5570
kass.woods@pulteney.sa.edu.au

ELC
Chloe Moir
8216 5566
chloe.moir@pulteney.sa.edu.au

We look forward to seeing you tonight, strengthening the learning partnership between school and home.

Nadia Maglica
Director of Teaching and Learning