Love of Literacy - Bridgette McCann
Developing a love of literacy 
‘Literacy is the ability to read and use written information and to write appropriately in a range of contexts. It is used to develop knowledge and understanding, to achieve personal growth and to function effectively in our society. Literacy involves the integration of speaking, listening and critical thinking with reading and writing.' Source: Department of Employment, Education and Training, Australia's Language and Literacy Policy.
At St Michael’s we believe that the study of English is central to the learning and development of all students. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. It is through the study of English that our students learn to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and with the world around them.
St Michael’s uses the Australian Curriculum for teaching English. The English Curriculum is organised into three interrelated strands that support students' growing understanding and use of Standard Australian English. Together the three strands focus on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in listening, reading, viewing, speaking and writing. The three strands are:
- Language: knowing about the English language
- Literature: understanding, appreciating, responding to, analysing and creating literature
- Literacy: expanding the repertoire of English usage.
We endeavour to deliver contemporary quality learning opportunities in English and provide a rich language environment where children are encouraged to listen, talk, read and write every day. St Michael’s has adopted a literacy block that incorporates reading, writing, handwriting and spelling, access to quality literature and student/teacher conferencing and goal setting.
A partnership between parents and school has proven successful in supporting students’ literacy learning. Research has shown that when parents reinforce the efforts of schools, children’s literacy competence, attitudes and confidence improves. St Michael’s provides opportunities for parents to attend literacy workshops and engage in the learning and teaching process in classrooms.
This term we will offer a reading workshop to parents on Tuesday 31 March at 5pm in the school library. This will mainly be targeted at parents who have children in Years K,1,2 or children who be having some challenges with reading. More information to follow in coming weeks.
We will also offer a spelling workshop for parents explaining the Sounds Write program that we currently use. This will be on Tuesday 5 May starting at 4.30pm. More information to follow towards the end of the term.