English

At Powlett River Primary School, English is at the heart of our curriculum. We believe that strong literacy skills are the foundation for success in all areas of learning and life. Our English program is built on evidence-based practices and a structured, systematic approach that ensures every student becomes a confident, capable communicator.

How We Teach English

Our approach to teaching English is explicit, systematic, and comprehensive. We provide direct instruction across all areas of literacy, ensuring that students receive clear, purposeful teaching that builds upon prior knowledge and promotes deep understanding.

Phonics and Early Reading: Sounds-Write

In the early years, we implement Sounds-Write, a highly effective synthetic phonics program. This structured and cumulative program provides students with the tools to decode and encode words with accuracy and confidence. Through Sounds-Write, we teach:

• Phonemic awareness
• The alphabetic code
• Sound-spelling correspondences
• Blending and segmenting skills

This phonics instruction forms the foundation for fluent, accurate reading and confident writing.

The Big Six of Reading

Our reading program is structured around The Big Six of Reading:

1. Phonological Awareness – developing the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in spoken language.
2. Phonics – systematic teaching of letter-sound relationships through Sounds-Write.
3. Fluency – developing the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and expression.
4. Vocabulary – explicitly teaching a broad and rich vocabulary across the curriculum.
5. Oral Language – fostering expressive and receptive language through discussions, storytelling, and structured talk.
6. Comprehension – teaching strategies that support understanding of increasingly complex texts.

Writing Instruction: Sentence Structure and The Writing Revolution

Writing at Powlett River Primary School is taught using a sentence-level approach that builds from foundational grammar and syntax to more complex text construction. We use strategies from The Writing Revolution, which embeds writing across the curriculum and focuses on:

• Explicit teaching of sentence structure
• Grammar and punctuation skills
• Paragraph construction
• Planning and organizing extended writing
• Responding to texts with clarity and evidence

This approach ensures students develop precision, coherence, and confidence in their writing.

Rich Language Experiences

Students at Powlett River Primary School engage in rich language experiences that develop a love of reading and writing. We immerse students in high-quality literature, poetry, and non-fiction texts. Through read-alouds, discussions, debates, and performance, we nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation of language.

Our Goal

Our goal is for every child to become a skilled reader, a thoughtful writer, and an articulate speaker and listener. With a strong foundation in English, students are empowered to succeed across all areas of learning and to express themselves confidently in the world around them.