Literacy is the Key that Unlocks Learning

Literacy skills are the foundation for all learning and this week we have seen some great examples of this in practice from students and staff.

The week began with a Parent Workshop on reading and writing. Cathie Gaffney and Vanessa Morelli (Reception Teachers) explained our approach to writing, which is delivered through Writers Workshop pedagogy, an inquiry approach, and provided examples of the writing from our youngest learners along with how we use assessment to “nudge” students along. ‘We work with the writer not the writing.’  Madeline Cole (Early Primary Coordinator/Reception Teacher) also presented a workshop explaining our transition for Jolly Phonics to Initialit; a structured synthetic phonics reading program that uses an explicit teaching approach. The two approaches complement each other and as the Reception Team always says ‘Everyone learns at their own pace, and it is not a race ‘.

As a staff we have taken a writing snapshot from Reception to Year 6, and we are using this data to analyse exactly what each cohort needs to be taught as part of the teaching and learning cycle. The data will be used to track the growth and success of the Writers Workshop pedagogy.  Good teachers are also learners and Vanessa Morelli and Mitchell Boulton (Year 4 Teacher), our Writing Coaches, are working with teachers on specific aspects of the pedagogy.

An example of Writers Workshop in action was the twenty students in Year 2 that worked with a member of staff over the last few weeks to co-author a book to explain the history of International Women’s Day.  Students were actively engaged in providing feedback on specific crafting techniques to bring the book to life for readers. They insisted that certain words needed emphasis and the author should use BIG and Bold writing, illustrations were needed, and speech bubbles would help readers know how people at the time felt; there was also advice on punctuation and what to delete. The final version was shared with the whole school on International Women’s Day and is a great example of how literacy unlocks learning. Through this process, students used their oral language skills to give feedback and provide ideas, they read the book and edited, they wrote parts of the book, they learnt about a significant event in history, and despite their young age, they were able to explain exactly what needs to change in the world to embrace equity.

I look forward to sharing more work from our authors throughout the year. Who knows, we may have our own Writers Week at the Primary Campus?

Joanne Gilmore, Director Teaching & Learning

#alwayslearningalwayswillbe

IWD Picture Book 2023

RSPCA Aware program

Our Year 1 students enjoyed a visit from the RSPCA Aware program. Students learnt about caring for animals and also how this amazing organisation helps animals in need. They spoke about the 5 freedoms that all animals deserve. Students were given a sticker, bookmark and some readers to use in class to help consolidate their learning. As part of our ‘Protectors of Creation’ unit, we are taking responsibility to care for our Earth, creation and God’s living things.

Erin Stanborough, Year 1 Class Teacher

De La Sauce 2023

On Monday our Year 3s kicked off their cooking program with the making of our famous De La Sauce. This year marks the 8^th year of us making De La Sauce using a traditional Italian method, expertly ran by Mr Nick Mercurio, an old scholar and Nonno to 7 of our students.

A huge thank you to Mr Mercurio and his family once again for their expertise, time and equipment.

We were also very lucky to have some Year 11 Food Technology students come over to the Primary campus and help us with the cooking this year.  Not only did they make sauce, but they also made some yummy bruschetta.

Our De La Sauce will be used by both campuses as part of their cooking programs, and some excess bottles will also be sold to raise money for charity and the running of sustainability projects within our school. Keep an eye out for a Market Day Stall early Term 2.

Robyn Palmer, Sustainability Support Officer