Our daily, two-hour literacy block addresses the curriculum content areas of Reading and Viewing, Writing, and Speaking and Listening. We believe in a careful balance of direct instruction and explicit teaching (Structured Literacy Program), while exposing our students to a wide range of good quality literature from diverse voices. 

In Prep Year 1 and Year 2, the literacy block starts with explicit teaching of phonics, using the Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) approach and Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum.  MSL and Structured Literacy include the 6 essential components of effective reading and literacy instruction: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.  The multisensory component involves the use of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways simultaneously to enhance memory and learning of written language.  Students in Years 3 to 6 receive direct instruction around sound-letter patterns and spelling generalisations, using the evidence-based Spelling Mastery program. 

Reading sessions start with a whole class shared text with a clear focus, before moving into group and independent reading. Such an approach allows for targeted teaching, based on personalised goals.

In the Writing program, using the Writing Revolution, students are explicitly taught concepts of grammar and punctuation, before practising such concepts in the construction of a range of text types. Students learn to use text features and structure to entertain, persuade or inform the reader or viewer, all while developing their author’s voice.