Two regional Victorian primary schools have emerged as standout performers in the latest round of national literacy and numeracy testing, showcasing exceptional educational outcomes outside metropolitan hubs.
Regional Schools Outperform in Key Learning Areas
The 2025 NAPLAN results have highlighted the remarkable achievements of Queenscliff Primary School and Nazareth Catholic Primary School in Grovedale. Both institutions have recorded results that place them significantly above the national average, with particular strength in foundational skills.
Queenscliff Primary, a state school on the Bellarine Peninsula, demonstrated outstanding performance across multiple domains. The school's results were notably strong in reading and numeracy, with student cohorts achieving well beyond the expected standard for their year levels. This consistent high performance reflects the school's focused teaching methodologies and supportive learning environment.
Similarly, Nazareth Catholic Primary in the Geelong region posted impressive scores. The school's success is attributed to a dedicated staff and a curriculum that emphasises core literacy and numeracy skills alongside holistic student development.
Analysing the Success Factors
Education experts point to several key factors behind these schools' success. A strong emphasis on data-driven teaching allows educators to identify and address individual student needs promptly. Both schools have implemented targeted intervention programs for students requiring additional support, ensuring no child falls behind.
Furthermore, the close-knit community atmosphere prevalent in regional schools like these fosters greater engagement between teachers, students, and parents. This collaborative approach creates a supportive framework that enhances student learning and wellbeing.
The schools have also invested heavily in professional development for their teaching staff, ensuring educators are equipped with the latest evidence-based strategies for literacy and numeracy instruction. This commitment to teacher quality directly translates to improved student outcomes.
What This Means for Victorian Education
The exemplary results from Queenscliff and Nazareth Catholic Primary challenge the notion that top educational performance is confined to major cities. Their success provides a blueprint for other regional schools, demonstrating that with the right strategies and community support, outstanding outcomes are achievable anywhere.
The 2025 NAPLAN data shows that these schools are not just achieving momentary success but are sustaining high performance over time. This indicates robust systems and a culture of excellence that benefits successive student cohorts.
For parents and educators across Victoria, these results underscore the importance of a focused curriculum, qualified and supported teachers, and strong school-community partnerships. The achievements celebrated today will likely influence educational practices and policy discussions aimed at lifting standards statewide.
As the full 2025 NAPLAN dataset becomes available for deeper analysis, the methods employed by these leading schools will be closely examined by the broader education sector seeking to replicate their success.
