Teaching, Learning and Wellbeing

Transforming Learning Through Explicit Instruction

In 2025, RGLPS undertook a significant transition to an explicit instruction approach for teaching and learning. This approach emphasises clear learning intentions, active student participation and frequent Checks for Understanding, ensuring all students are engaged and well supported. Teachers use TAPPLE strategies to maintain high levels of engagement during lessons, incorporating techniques such as choral responses, Turn and Talk and targeted questioning. These strategies enable teachers to provide immediate feedback and adjust instruction in real time. This consistent and structured approach has helped create calm, focused learning environments and is supporting students to build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and beyond.

Our explicit instruction approach aligns with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 - a government-mandated framework for all Victorian government schools, designed to support high-quality teaching and learning. The model emphasises explicit instruction, opportunities for guided practice, and timely feedback, helping students build strong knowledge and skills. By integrating literacy and numeracy across all learning areas and fostering inclusive, engaging classrooms, the model ensures teachers can maximise learning outcomes for every student.

As we look towards 2026, RGLPS will continue to embed and refine this instructional approach across the school. Classes will engage in rich humanities and science units while developing literacy skills through the study of a shared novel, theme or author. We will also implement strategies from The Writing Revolution, which breaks writing into manageable, structured steps to help students organise their ideas, improve sentence and paragraph construction, and strengthen overall literacy. This approach supports learning across all subjects, as strong writing skills enhance comprehension and communication. Students will have regular opportunities to practise and consolidate taught concepts, with targeted teacher guidance and support provided as needed. By taking a cohesive and intentional approach, we aim to create more seamless learning experiences, strengthen connections across curriculum areas, and support deeper understanding for all students.

Keeping Young Minds Reading This Summer

As the summer holidays approach, families may like to consider making the local library a regular destination over the break. Research shows that without regular reading, some students can experience a decline in reading skills over the long summer holidays, often referred to as the 'summer slide.' Local libraries offer much more than just books, including graphic novels, audiobooks, magazines, educational games and access to digital resources that can be enjoyed at home. Many libraries also run free holiday programs, activities and reading challenges designed to keep children engaged and motivated. Encouraging children to read regularly over summer can help maintain literacy skills, build vocabulary and foster a love of learning, while also providing an enjoyable, screen-free activity for the whole family.

You may or may not be aware that the new Rosanna Library is due to reopen sometime in January. Until this reopens, the Watsonia and Ivanhoe Libraries are the nearest pubic libraries to the school. I encourage all families to visit a local library to support your child's learning throughout the school holidays.

Finally, I wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a fun, restful, and safe holiday break. I look forward to welcoming our Prep–Year 5 students back to RGLPS in 2026 and wish our departing Year 6 students all the very best as they embark on their secondary school journey.

Kerron Worsdell 

Literacy Learning Specialist