Curriculum News

English – Speaking and Listening

This term, all students from Prep to Year 6 are developing their speaking and listening skills through engaging with a wide range of imaginative and literary texts. These tasks are designed to build confidence, communication skills and the ability to express ideas clearly in front of others.

In the early years, students are focusing on sharing their thoughts and feelings about familiar stories. Prep students are exploring themes such as starting school, friendship and belonging, and are learning to talk about stories with their peers. In Year 1 and Year 2, students are building on this by expressing opinions about characters and discussing their traits using simple reasoning.

As students move into the middle years, the focus shifts to deeper thinking about texts. Year 3 and Year 4 students are examining imaginative texts more closely, learning to explain their ideas and opinions, and beginning to recognise how authors use language and literary devices to shape meaning and influence the reader.

In the upper years, students are extending these skills further by responding to more complex texts like novels. Year 5 students are presenting their ideas and opinions about Wombat Warriors by Samantha Wheeler, while Year 6 students are expected to elaborate on their thinking and communicate clearly for an audience about Dougie by James Maloney, demonstrating strong speaking and listening skills.

Across the school, these tasks help students to become confident speakers, active listeners and thoughtful responders to a variety of texts, skills that are essential for success in all areas of learning.

Kind regards, 

Chris Walters

Head of Department - Curriculum