Pen Licences!

The Power of Handwriting and the Excitement of Pen Licences

In a world of laptops and tablets, handwriting is still a vital skill. Research led by Dr Anabela Malpique (Edith Cowan University) shows that children who develop fluent handwriting are more likely to succeed in writing tasks and feel confident as learners. Automatic, legible writing frees the brain to focus on vocabulary, ideas and expression, rather than letter formation.

At our school, handwriting is taught explicitly from the very beginning of Foundation. Students first learn correct pencil grip, posture, letter shapes and spacing. As they move through the early years, they practise these skills daily, gradually developing control, consistency and stamina. By Year 3, students are ready to learn joined Victorian Modern Cursive writing, as outlined in the Victorian Curriculum. Here, the focus shifts to fluency, speed and neatness — key foundations for success in all areas of learning.

One of the highlights this year in Year 3 is the chance to earn a Pen Licence. This special milestone recognises students who can write neatly and consistently in joined script. Receiving a licence is an exciting reward for effort and practice, and it encourages students to take pride in their presentation.

Last term, we were proud to award our first licences of the year. You’ll see photos in this newsletter of a few of our smiling students holding their certificates. Handwriting continues to play an important role in building strong, confident learners — and our students are working hard to master this essential skill.