Literacy

Literacy at Wooragee Primary School

At Wooragee Primary School, we believe literacy is the foundation for all learning. Our structured, evidence-based approach ensures students develop strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, setting them up for success in all areas of life.

Structured Systematic Synthetic Phonics Approach

In the early years, we provide explicit, systematic instruction in essential literacy skills, including:

Students from Foundation to Year 6 receive daily instruction in reading and spelling, focusing on the link between letters and the speech sounds they represent. This structured approach helps students read and spell increasingly complex words by applying phonics knowledge, spelling patterns, and an understanding of word origins (morphology).

Our Foundation to Year 2 students follow the Little Learners Love Literacy program, which provides a clear, sequential approach to phonics. In Years 3 to 6, students build on these skills with Effective Spelling, further refining their reading and spelling abilities.

Reader’s Workshop

"We can’t learn to swim without swimming, to write without writing, to sing without singing, or to read without reading."

At Wooragee Primary, we foster a love of reading through the Reader’s Workshop approach, which provides authentic reading experiences tailored to each child’s strengths and needs.

In Reader’s Workshop, students:

Teacher-Student Conferences

A key part of Reader’s Workshop is individual teacher-student conferences, where teachers provide personalised feedback and guide students on their next steps in learning. These conferences allow teachers to track progress, address specific challenges, and support students in setting reading goals that help them grow as independent readers.

Wooragee Primary School | Writer's Workshop

Writer’s Workshop

Our Writer’s Workshop model helps students develop confidence and skill as writers through a structured yet flexible approach. Students engage in all stages of the writing process:

Teacher-Student Conferences

During Writer’s Workshop, teachers hold one-on-one conferences with students to provide targeted feedback on their writing. These conversations help students identify their strengths, refine their skills, and set personalized writing goals. By receiving immediate, constructive feedback, students gain confidence and develop a deeper understanding of the writing process.

Through peer feedback, teacher support, and collaborative discussions, students learn to express their ideas creatively while developing critical literacy skills. They also build a growth mindset, understanding that writing is an ongoing process of improvement and self-expression.

Speaking & Listening

Oral language is an essential part of learning at Wooragee Primary School. We provide both formal and informal opportunities for students to develop their speaking and listening skills across the curriculum.

From Foundation onwards, students engage in ‘Turn and Talk’, a strategy used across the school to encourage discussion and active listening. They also learn:

Students participate in structured speaking and listening tasks, receiving peer and teacher feedback to help them refine their communication skills. These experiences build confidence and equip students with the ability to express themselves clearly in a range of settings.

By integrating these approaches, we ensure that every child at Wooragee Primary develops the literacy skills they need to thrive academically and beyond.