Literacy

At St Mary of the Cross Catholic Primary School, we believe strong literacy skills are essential for success across all areas of learning. Our English program is built on evidence-based practices from the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading, ensuring every student grows into a confident reader, writer, and communicator.

Reading is taught through a structured literacy approach, which includes explicit and systematic instruction in:

• Phonological awareness (hearing and playing with sounds in words)
• Phonics (linking sounds to letters)
• Fluency (reading with accuracy, speed and expression)
• Vocabulary (understanding word meaning)
• Comprehension (making meaning from text)
• Oral language (speaking and listening skills)

Daily Reviews, phonemic awareness routines, and targeted support or extension ensure all students receive what they need to succeed.

We also explicitly teach:

• Spelling patterns, syllable types, and morphology
• Sentence, paragraph, and text structure
• Vocabulary and grammar in context

Explicit instruction in writing begins in the early years, with a strong focus on sentence-level work as the foundation for all writing. Grammar and writing conventions are taught in context, with planning and revising identified as the most critical phases of the writing process.

At St Mary of the Cross, we are committed to ensuring that every child becomes a confident and capable user of the English language — able to read with understanding, write with purpose, and speak with clarity.