Reading is a foundational life skill that is a source of pleasure and enjoyment, provides access to information, generates imaginations, builds knowledge and helps shape our opinions. At Sunbury Primary School, our approach to the teaching and learning of literacy is one that is evidence informed, curriculum based and focuses on fostering a love of reading and story sharing. Our literacy program is based on ‘The Big 6’ in reading – Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency and Comprehension.

Prep – 2 classes utilize the InitiaLit program, which is a whole-class approach aligned to ‘The Big 6’, that builds strong foundations for our students to become successful readers and writers. In addition, there is a strong focus on grammar, spelling and handwriting through the program with strong links made between reading and writing during literacy blocks. This is supported by the sub program, Minilit Sage, which meets the needs of students requiring additional support in reaching their goals. Our approach to early years literacy strongly aligns with the Victorian approach to teaching reading F-2, ensuring our students are off to the best possible start.

Our 3-6 literacy classrooms build upon the strong foundational knowledge established through the Initialit program to explore a wide variety of text types and genres. Students engage in purposeful reading tasks each day and apply a range of reading strategies to gain meaning, form opinions and acquire new knowledge. Our teachers regularly conduct one to one reading conferences with students to gain a deep insight into the needs of each student as a reader, as well as to celebrate their successes and achievements. Students are assessed regularly across a range of literacy skills in reading and writing to identify their point of need and teaching focuses are adjusted accordingly. Groups of students engage in shared reading, independent reading and reading groups, where students participate in detailed and purposeful discussions around shared texts to further strengthen vocabulary, oral language and comprehensions skills. Spelling, vocabulary, grammar and handwriting are explicitly taught on a weekly basis to support a well-rounded and robust literacy program.

Each of our classrooms include a classroom library filled with books of various genres and topics of interest to our students. Each class also attends our school library once a week to borrow books that they enjoy reading, share stories and engage with our wide variety of resources. Our staff continuously build their knowledge around best literacy teaching practices and strive to provide our students with literacy skills that will prepare them to succeed in a constantly evolving world.