English

At St Benedict's Primary School we believe that Literacy is at the heart of learning in all areas. Literacy involves a complex and flexible set of skills and strategies to communicate in a particular context with a particular purpose. Students can develop mathematical literacy, religious literacy, scientific literacy, etc.

Core Curriculum

At the core of Literacy is the ability of students to be literate in the English language. The Australian Curriculum: English Foundation to Year 10 is organised into three interrelated strands that support students' growing understanding and use of Standard Australian English (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.

Teaching & Learning Opportunities

English is taught each day in prime teaching time (morning). Teachers use a variety of strategies that increase students' ability to read, write, listen, speak, view and create with increasing independence over time, including:

These strategies are based upon the First Steps Professional Learning undertaken by teachers at St Benedict's.