SCHOLARSHIP
Literacy at RGS Reaching your potential There is a growing concern at the declining literacy standards of Australian school students with falling NAPLAN results in the headlines. At The Rockhampton Grammar School, we are actively pursuing ways to maximise our students’ literacy capacity thereby allowing them to reach their full potential. The formation of the School Literacy Working Party continues the investigation and implementation of school-wide and targeted literacy plans. RGS teachers continue to value the importance of developing the literacy capacity of every student across the entire curriculum. The Literacy Working Party, composed of staff representing all facets of the School, have met regularly from mid-2020, with research occurring into the best practice for enhancing literacy for all students.
LITERACY IS MORE THAN READING AND WRITING Literacy encompasses a range of practices, which include: reading, writing, speaking, viewing, creating and listening, to support students in their endeavours to achieve their potential and prepare them to be successful communicators. Across the curriculum, literacy capabilities are developed in a progressive way in order for students to comprehend, create and purposely construct meaning that engages thinking skills and promotes further learning.
The Australian Curriculum forms the basis for all discussions and activities. Teaching staff, from Kindy through to Year 12, have engaged in professional development activities utilising resources to assist in determining student literacy levels, understanding how students comprehend amongst other activities and are now receiving weekly literacy building strategies. Book recommendations in the newsletter, written by students and teachers sharing books that they love, is one of the activities of the Literacy Working Party. In the Secondary School, there has been a focus on writing across the curriculum with all students from Years 7 – 10 engaged in a daily Writing Boost for several weeks each term. Along with other literacy activities, the junior
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boy boarders have been completing a Prep Booklet which includes a daily reflection and summary of learning. Mr Matt Oakes notes that there has been improved recall of subject knowledge and the building of reflective habits that will benefit students as they progress through the Secondary School. Primary students are regularly engaged in literacy within their classrooms. To help support students with reading, an intensive Before School Reading Program is offered in Term 2. With the help of volunteer teachers and Year 11 students, students read each morning. Using a benchmark reading assessment before and after the programme, we have noted the improvement in the reading confidence, fluency and comprehension of participants. Literacy is not just about studying English. We encourage you to speak to your child’s teacher to see how you can help them reach their literacy capacity.
