Targeted student support, evidence-informed professional learning and collaboration are driving exceptional 2026 NAPLAN results at St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Austral. 

The college recorded standout increases in writing and numeracy proficiency in 2026, lifting overall proficiency levels and, in some year groups, the proportion of students in the top achievement band: 

  • Strongest Year 7-to-Year 9 growth in numeracy proficiency levels across Sydney Catholic Schools, at 21 per cent from 2024 – 2026. 
  • Numeracy proficiency increased more than 10 per cent from 2024 to 2026 
  • Writing proficiency in Years 7-9 rose almost six points from 2024 to 2026. 

Year 9 students also recorded higher rates of proficiency across four of five domains compared with Year 9 students in 2025, with highlights including: 

  • Reading +6.38% 
  • Numeracy: +5.49% 
  • Grammar & Punctuation: +10.37% 
  • Writing: +6.84% 

"These results reflect the strong culture of learning we've built at this college, grounded in high expectations, equity and a genuine belief that every student can achieve. We're proud that this success sits alongside our commitment to educating the whole child spiritually, academically, socially and personally," said Mr Simon Ghantous, Principal at St Anthony of Padua. 

Success across Sydney Catholic Schools  

Sydney Catholic Schools Director of Education and Research Kevin Carragher said system-wide results reflected a consistent, evidence-based approach to mathematics teaching. 

"Our teachers are applying research on how the brain learns through explicit instruction, clear modelling, regular review and carefully tailored support, building students' confidence and ability to tackle increasingly complex mathematics," he said. 

The results reveal an additional 846 Sydney Catholic Schools students have attained NAPLAN's Strong or Exceeding bands for numeracy over the past two years with an extra 400 students reaching into strong and exceeding bands for reading. 

Year 5 reading proficiency rose two percentage points to 86 per cent. Among matched students moving from Year 3 to Year 5, reading proficiency increased three points to 87 per cent. 

"These figures represent thousands of individual students strengthening the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for future learning," Mr Carragher said.