Teaching and Learning

Literacy in Prep – Year 2

Recently, our very dedicated teachers at Gardenvale Primary School have been making some changes in the way we approach teaching and learning within the classroom. 

These changes are based on the Science of Learning and are also aligned with the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, and the Victorian Reading Position introduced by the Department for Foundation – Year 2. 

This Victorian Reading Position outlines the approach to teaching reading in early years, using evidence for how students learn and effective teaching practices. It is expected to be implemented in all Victorian government primary schools commencing from 2025 with full implementation from the beginning of the 2027 school year. 

The essential elements of reading are the ‘Big 6’ each of which should form part of a structured and explicit approach to teaching literacy. 

• Oral language – knowing and using spoken words to express knowledge, ideas and emotions
• Phonemic awareness –which is the knowledge of sounds (phonemes)
• Phonics – knowing the sound (phoneme) and letter (grapheme) relationships
• Fluency – reading accurately and at an appropriate rate with expression
• Vocabulary – understanding words in isolation and in context
• Comprehension – making meaning from text which includes developing knowledge of grammar.

At Gardenvale, this is already being fully implemented in Years Prep and 1, and will continue into Year 2 in 2026. 

In order to ensure our teachers can deliver this approach to literacy with confidence, we are continually providing Professional Development for our staff, to ensure they have both the content knowledge and skills to implement these changes successfully. 

Teaching teams are often being released from their classes to build this content with the support of our Learning Specialist to ensure we are offering the best possible program that aligns with this approach. 

We would like to thank all parents and families who have paid their ‘voluntary’ contributions which enables us to purchase student resources for use in the classroom and at home, such as decodable readers. We still have a long way to go with fully resourcing this program so all of your contributions are greatly appreciated. 

Stay tuned for the next instalment of Teaching and Learning which includes information on the Science of Learning, Cognitive Load Theory and Retrieval Practice. 

Dimi Sfetsas 

Assistant Principal