Celebrating Growth in Literacy at Mt Barker South Primary School

From 2020, Mt Barker South Primary School embarked on a transformative literacy journey inspired by the Department for Education’s “Be Brave and Lead” initiative. With Cue Learning’s support, the school shifted from a scripted, intervention-focused model to an inclusive, engagement-driven approach prioritising student agency, teacher collaboration, and a love of learning.
Key strategies included leveraging the full curriculum, rich literature, and the gradual release of responsibility instructional model. Consistent routines and rituals across classrooms fostered coherence. Initial small wins, such as establishing classroom libraries, ignited teacher buy-in and set the foundation for change.
A “literacy action team” with representatives from each year level spearheaded the professional learning efforts. Teachers engaged in peer observations, coaching, and personalised learning sessions tailored to their needs. Year-level teams collaboratively developed five-week units of work using shared tools and resources, such as mentor text collections, class modelling books, and reorganised intranet folders.
The school cultivated a strengths-based mindset, valuing each student as a reader and writer. Teacher observations of students’ day-to-day learning now guide practice, fostering greater equity, learner agency, and wellbeing for all.
This approach has led to profound changes in teaching excellence and student outcomes, showcasing the power of collaboration and authentic literacy practices beyond traditional metrics.

Видео Celebrating Growth in Literacy at Mt Barker South Primary School канала Teachific: K-8 Teaching Resources