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CURRICULUM NEWS

Last week, the media publicised the significant changes that will occur to Reading in all Victorian Schools. 

Minister for Education Ben Carroll announced the updated Victorian Teaching and Learning Model, which will be implemented in all government schools across the state from 2025 with explicit teaching at its core. 

All students from Prep to Grade 2 will be taught using a systematic synthetic phonics approach as part of their reading programs, with a minimum of 25 minutes daily explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness. 

This will be a core component of a comprehensive reading program that also includes explicit teaching of oral language, vocabulary, reading fluency and comprehension. 

I am proud to say that Oakleigh Primary School made some significant changes to their approach with Reading several years ago. The introduction of the explicit teaching of the 44 phonemes through the MSL practice, changing levelled books to Decodable books and training staff to enhance their understanding of how to teach students to read happened and continues to happen at our school. Yes, it has been a journey met with criticism, scepticism, and perseverance but it is the BEST model and practice in teaching. Having a significant advantage, OPS has turned its attention to what Daily Practice will look like in the junior year levels. It is a mammoth achievement to dedicated staff at OPS and in Victorian who have consistently worked on theory and practice pushing the state for change. 

Our school continues to focus on areas of curriculum such as our approach to teaching Writing and the student as a Writer. The New Mathematics Curriculum 2.0 is being viewed and discussed consistently in teams. These processes take time to digest, review, read theory and practice as well as implement. 

I look forward to sharing more news with you as we enter a new era of Curriculum Reform in Victoria. 

Kind regards, 

Michelle Di Giovanni

Curriculum Leader F-6

Head Lice

Head lice are tiny insects that vary in colour from cream to brown/black. ‘Nits’ is the common name for the small eggs that are laid by the head lice. They are the size of a grain of salt, yellow-white in colour, and are found glued to the hair near the scalp. They are usually found behind the ears, the back of the neck and fringe.

Head lice are spread mostly by direct head-to-head contact. The sharing of hats, combs and other hair accessories, may also spread head lice, but this is rare. Head lice have nothing to do with cleanliness. 

To assist us in the prevention of head lice spreading please ensure you check your child/ren’s hair. If head lice or nits are found, please treat immediately.

Your local pharmacy will also be able to offer some treatment options. Nits (live eggs) hatch in 7-10 days. The key to success in getting rid of them is to repeat whatever treatment you use after one week. 

In the case that head lice or nits are detected on inspection it is required that you begin treatment prior to your child returning to school.

Thank you for your co-operation.