Our Philosophy of Literacy
At St Mary’s, we believe that literacy is the foundation for all learning and a vital key to unlocking every child’s potential. Our approach to literacy is grounded in the belief that all students can become successful readers, writers, listeners, and speakers through high-quality, evidence-informed instruction that meets their individual needs.
Our literacy teaching is shaped by the MACS Vision for Instruction, which emphasises high expectations, explicit teaching, deliberate practice, and knowing our impact. This ensures that every student is engaged, supported, and challenged to grow.
We deliver a structured, sequential, and systematic literacy program grounded in the science of reading. In the early years, we implement InitiaLit, a whole-class program that explicitly teaches phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. For students who require additional support, we provide MiniLit, an evidence-based intervention program that ensures no child is left behind in their early reading development.
Explicit instruction is at the heart of our literacy practice. Teachers model skills clearly and provide guided practice, scaffolding students’ learning and gradually releasing responsibility. Regular opportunities for independent reading and writing, combined with rich, engaging texts, help students make meaningful connections between reading, thinking, and the world around them.
We use data to inform our teaching, ensuring that every literacy lesson is responsive and targeted. Student progress is carefully monitored using a range of formative and summative assessments, enabling us to provide timely feedback, adjust instruction, and identify the right supports or extension for each learner.
We are committed to catering to the diverse needs of all students, providing differentiated learning opportunities that allow every child to experience success, whether they are building foundational skills or extending their literacy capabilities.
At St Mary’s, literacy is more than a subject—it is the voice of thinking, creativity, connection, and confidence. Through our consistent and intentional approach, we empower students to become fluent, thoughtful communicators with a lifelong love of reading and writing.