Discover the Difference
Discovering what makes DCS unique...
Welcome to a new section in our DCS Newsletter. From time to time within our DCS newsletter, we will have an article written from one of our leaders, team members, DCS Board members or even community members, that reflect DCS and the difference we strive to provide for our students and community. We hope over the year these articles allow you to reflect and further discover a unique difference at DCS.
This week we have an article written by our Director of Learning and Teaching (K-10) - Scott Davies. Scott has been working with our teachers and teacher support staff, across primary and secondary, reviewing our literacy practices, in partnership with our Head of Primary Mr. Tom Evans and Head of Secondary Mrs. Alison Moore.
Turning a new page
As we embark on another exciting year of learning and growth, we are thrilled to share with you the steps we have taken in refining our literacy practices to provide your children with an unshakeable education.
In 2023, the dedicated staff at DCS initiated a comprehensive review of our literacy practices, recognising the pivotal role literacy plays in forming the building blocks of engagement in society. Our commitment to fostering a learning environment rooted in Christian values and aimed at helping every student learn to high levels, led us to ensure that our methods align with research-informed, evidence-based best practices.
Our overarching mission as a Christian school community is to nurture students through high-quality, holistic education. This commitment is evident in our continuous efforts to enhance our teaching and learning approaches. To further strengthen our literacy programs, we collaborated with Sarah Woodcock-Davis, a Literacy Consultant from Independent Schools Tasmania, who guided us in delving into the 'Science of Reading' and 'The Big Six of Reading' — Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension.
As a team, we deepened our understanding of these crucial elements and explored ways to tailor our practices to meet the diverse needs of our students. The journey unfolded uniquely at each level, showcasing our dedication to providing an exceptional education at every stage.
For our youngest learners in Kinder to Year 2, we invested in decodable readers and worked collaboratively to establish consistency in implementing high-leverage programs and teaching structures. The Year 3/4 team have implemented a new literacy program and have started working with a specialist in Victoria to refine their implementation of literacy strategies. The Year 5/6 team immersed themselves in the 'Science of Learning' to implement effective literacy strategies, including the implementation of daily reviews and embedding literacy practices within science. The Year 7-8 team continued to embrace innovative approaches inspired by the 'Science of Reading' and the 'Writing Revolution' to enhance student understanding.
This ongoing commitment to professional development ensures that our teaching and learning programs are innovative, research-based, and tailored to meet the needs of our students. We believe in fostering an environment where all students can positively engage with literacy across the curriculum.
As partners in your child's education, we are excited about the future possibilities and look forward to the continued growth and success of each student in our wonderful Christian community.
If you are interested in any of the innovations that are occurring across DCS in literacy, please do not hesitate to talk with your child’s classroom teacher. Additionally, the website below has a wonderful section for families that gives a brief outline of each of the ‘Big Six’ and some useful suggestions for what you can do at home to help your child.
Scott Davies | Director of Learning and Teaching (K-10)