PLC Armidale has cemented its position as the top-performing school in the New England North West, following the release of the 2025 NAPLAN results published on ACARA’s MySchool website. The results confirm what the school community has long celebrated – a strong academic culture supported by evidence-based teaching and a personalised approach to learning.
NAPLAN, the national assessment for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, provides a snapshot of how students across Australia are developing foundational literacy and numeracy skills. This year’s data shows PLC Armidale students continuing to excel, performing above the national average and above students of similar backgrounds across most assessment areas.
Principal Nicola Taylor said the 2025 results reflect the College’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
“We are incredibly proud of our College NAPLAN results,” Mrs Taylor said. “With a 100 per cent participation rate and our low student-to-staff ratio, this achievement reflects the all-girls advantage, dedicated, passionate educators, hardworking, committed students and a strong culture of learning at the College.
“Our holistic approach to education combines academic rigour with character growth and learning in and outside the classroom. These results validate our approach. A personalised approach to learning, visible pastoral care, and the academic endeavour of each student support the achievement of individual learning goals.
“As a learning community, the strong connections between students and their peers, teachers, and families support each girl’s progress in their educational journey.”
Across the Senior School, a focus on nurturing confidence, independence and academic ambition continues to shape PLC Armidale’s reputation. Head of Senior School, Mrs Kate Clynch, said this year’s outcomes highlight the dedication and expertise of the teaching team.
“Our staff know each girl well and walk alongside them,” Mrs Clynch said. “We foster an inclusive, encouraging learning environment where students feel known, supported and challenged. These results reflect the expertise of our teachers and a culture where every student is empowered to achieve her personal best.”
Building these strengths begins early, with the Junior School providing the foundation for long-term academic growth. Head of Junior School, Mrs Fiona Wake, said the early years are crucial for establishing confidence and capability in core learning areas.
“In the Junior School, we place a strong focus on building confident, capable learners through explicit, evidence-based teaching in literacy and numeracy,” Mrs Wake said. “The foundations established in these early years set our students up for success as they move through the College, and these NAPLAN results show the long-term impact of getting those fundamentals right.”
With consistent high achievement and a nurturing, student-centred environment, PLC Armidale continues to lead the region in academic performance. The 2025 NAPLAN results reaffirm the school’s strong educational philosophy — one that blends academic excellence with a commitment to supporting every student in reaching their personal best.
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