SNIPPETS FROM THE AP - Mrs Sophie Denison

After visiting St Joseph's and seeing the wonderful work happening in our Kinder and Stage 1 classrooms our Education Officer Debbie Dwyer has written the following article to be shared with the Diocese of Lismore school staff. 

Good News From Around the Grounds

St Joseph’s Woodburn

We are excited to share a positive Good News story about the success of using the MulitiLit Storybook program and the DoE Units of Work at St Joseph’s, Woodburn. 

Students at St Joseph’s have been thriving with the MultiLit Storybook approach, fostering routine and a sense of creativity through modelled and explicit instruction. Teachers are flexible in leveraging their knowledge and understanding of the new English Curriculum in crafting lessons to encompass all curriculum components using Storybook and the DoE units of work as valuable resources. By designing five-day units, selecting books aligned to the DoE Scope and Sequence, and tailoring grammar-level lessons, teachers have ensured rich and flexible learning experiences for their students. 

MulitiLit Storybook is more than just literature; it’s a gateway to the joy of reading and storytelling. This approach exposes the students to diverse topics, introducing them to words and language beyond everyday conversations and instilling a deep understanding of how reading functions. Students are captivated throughout the lessons as they move seamlessly across the English Focus areas. 

A critical feature of the success is the dedicated planning days offered to teachers each term. These sessions have equipped them with a sound understanding of the syllabus and its underlying core concepts. Their approach supports them as educators in implementing the curriculum in a way that ensures students gain a depth of understanding.

As the teachers continue to learn and adapt, the insights gained this year will undoubtedly shape their planning for the future, ensuring an even more tailored and impactful learning experience for the students.