From the Director of Teaching and Learning K–12

English and literacy at St Mary's College: The power of reading

At St Mary’s College, reading sits at the heart of learning from Kindergarten to Year 12. Regular reading is one of the most effective ways students build vocabulary, comprehension, confidence and general knowledge. Whether reading independently, with others, or listening to a text read aloud, students strengthen the skills that support success across all learning areas.

We nurture a strong culture of reading in many ways. Teachers read to students to model fluent, expressive reading; they read with students to unpack meaning and explore ideas; students read independently to build stamina and enjoyment; and students read aloud to develop fluency and confidence.

Reading fluency: The bridge to understanding 

Reading fluency is more than smooth reading. It is the ability to read accurately, at an appropriate pace and with expression. These three elements form the bridge between recognising words and understanding meaning. When decoding becomes automatic, students can focus on thinking, analysing and responding to what they read.

Reading aloud plays a key role in developing fluency and offers powerful benefits:

• Models rhythm, phrasing and expression
• Exposes students to complex texts and rich vocabulary
• Strengthens memory through combined visual and auditory input
• Builds pronunciation and public‑speaking confidence
• Creates shared experiences that deepen classroom discussion

Fluency remains essential in the senior years, where students encounter increasingly complex academic texts. Regular reading is not just for primary students – it is a lifelong learning habit.

Why 20 minutes a day matters

This infographic shows the cumulative impact of daily reading. This dramatic difference in exposure to words, ideas and language patterns has a significant impact on vocabulary growth, comprehension, school readiness and overall confidence as a learner. Small daily habits truly matter.

Literacy in Years 7 and 8

Students in Years 7 and 8 participate in dedicated literacy lessons to strengthen the skills that underpin success across all subjects. These lessons incorporate Disciplinary Literacy approaches and utilise The Writing Revolution to support structured, analytical

writing. Students also develop digital literacy skills, learning to interpret and create meaning across digital platforms.

Why teach literacy separately? 

Literacy is fundamental to learning and active participation in society. The Australian Curriculum recognises that students become literate as they develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to listen, read, view, speak, write and create across print, visual and digital contexts.

Success in every subject depends on understanding its specific language demands. By explicitly teaching literacy, we ensure all students can access curriculum content confidently.

A range of assessments allows us to meet students where they are – whether consolidating spelling rules, analysing literary devices or refining essay writing. Across all year levels, reading fluency remains a consistent focus.

At St Mary’s College, nurturing strong readers and developing literacy skills means nurturing confident, capable learners prepared for life beyond school. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions about our English or Literacy programs or concerns about your child’s progress in these areas.