Literacy
Our literacy program underpins the school’s focus on the individual student and is founded on latest research. Literacy includes daily Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening. Speaking and listening is an important feature of all areas of the curriculum. Reading is a strategic and reflective process and instruction encompasses a range of teaching practices based upon individual student needs. These practices include modelled reading, shared reading, guided reading and independent reading. Teachers use these practices to provide explicit instruction in comprehension. Developing a broad range of reading strategies, and understanding how they may be used, supports students to become independent and successful readers.
In Writing, we focus on the development of high quality student writing through consistent teaching practice and exemplary writing instruction. The Writer’s Workshop model is in place across all levels of the school. Students are engaged in purposeful writing and deep thinking. Teachers guide students by demonstrating how to achieve particular purposes, discussing the effectiveness of writers’ choices and giving feedback at all stages of writing. Writing lessons includes explicit whole class instruction, independent writing, conferencing and mini-lessons based on the teaching of grammar, with reference to the Victorian Curriculum. Students are involved in spelling sessions focusing on the key spelling strategies. This consistent investigative approach includes an explicit introduction and time for students to practise using key spelling strategies to develop generalisations in spelling rules.
The implementation of the literacy program is supported by the Literacy AIP Team, made up of teachers from each year level across the school. This team engages in professional learning and ensures that there is consistency across the school. All class teachers are part of the long-term professional learning partnership with educational consultant, Ms Deborah Sukarna. Teaching teams engage in regular coaching to build their knowledge and expertise in reading and writing, ensuring consistent teaching across all levels of the school.
