Learning and Teaching
English Update
Welcome back to the 2026 school year. I hope you all enjoyed a restful and joy-filled break with family and friends.
This year, we continue to embed Learning and Teaching the St Brendan’s Way across all curriculum areas. Our approach is grounded in the Science of Learning and aligns closely with the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) system-wide Vision for Instruction, which prioritises explicit teaching, evidence-informed practice, and high expectations for every learner, with the two focus goals of Equity and Excellence. Through consistent, research-based instruction, we are committed to ensuring all students at St Brendan’s experience an equitable, high-quality education that supports both academic growth and wellbeing.
The Science of Reading
In English, the Science of Reading refers to a substantial body of interdisciplinary research that explains how children learn to read and write, why some students experience difficulties, and which instructional approaches are most effective. This research underpins MACS’ shared commitment to structured, explicit, and systematic teaching to improve outcomes for all students.
At St Brendan’s, students from Foundation to Year 6 receive explicit and systematic instruction in all essential components of English through a Structured Literacy approach. This ensures consistency, clarity, and cumulative learning across year levels, in line with MACS expectations for high-impact teaching.
Each day, students engage in:
Spelling (through phonics, MSL, or Spelling Mastery)
Daily Review
Phonemic Awareness
Fluency Reading
Explicit Writing Instruction
Comprehension through rich, engaging texts
Handwriting (twice per week)
For students who require additional support, we use a range of evidence-based assessments to identify specific learning needs. These students may receive targeted intervention from a member of our Student Learning Team, in addition to their daily two-hour literacy block. This responsive approach reflects MACS’ focus on early identification, intervention, and inclusive practices.
Home Reading
At the beginning of each year, I like to remind families of the important role home reading plays in literacy development. Reading regularly is essential, just like any skill, the more we practise, the stronger we become. Frequent reading supports decoding, vocabulary growth, grammar and syntax, comprehension, and imagination.
To support your child’s learning at home, we recommend the following daily reading guidelines:
Junior Years (Foundation – Year 2): 10–15 minutes per night (reading with a parent, to a parent, or listening to a parent read)
Middle Years (Years 3–4): At least 15 minutes per night
Senior Years (Years 5–6): At least 20 minutes per night
Please refer to the attached Junior Home Reading Letter which will be sent this week.
If you have any questions or would like support with your child’s English learning, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I am always happy to help.
I look forward to connecting with you throughout the year.
Warm regards,
Erica Hudson Literacy Leader
Speech Therapist SPS
St Brendan’s Primary School has engaged with Speech Pathology for Schools (SPS) to provide holistic school-based speech pathology support. Amy is an engaging and dynamic speech pathologist who enjoys working alongside school-aged students to find their learning potential in the areas of language and literacy. She works collaboratively with students and staff to assess and target individual needs in the areas of Oral Language and Phonological Awareness. Amy’s sessions run on Thursday's and Friday’s and consist of either whole-class or small-group learning. An LSO may be present during the session to further support students with follow-up activities during class time.
Amy will work closely with our school's Student Learning Team to ensure student intervention is targeted and data driven.
Please visit www.speech.edu.au/brand Use code: SPS185 for more information.
Learning Diversity @ St Brendan's
My name is Daniela Ruberto and I am the Learning Diversity Leader here at St Brendan's.
I work on a Wednesday/Thursday - alternate Friday's and my office is in the front admin area.
My role allows me to work with all the wonderful teachers, team of Learning Support Officers, our school based Speech Therapist, Amy Brook and Student Learning Team teachers at our school.
We work together as a team to ensure that all students are learning and engaging in the St Brendan's way of learning & teaching, and achieve the best they can!
Through my role I work very closely with our dedicated and hard working Learning Support Officers (LSO's), I oversee the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) www.nccd.edu.au and work with classroom teachers and the Student Learning Team to ensure that the appropriate learning adjustments are been made for all students.
My contact details are druberto@sbsomerville.catholic.edu.au
Daniela Ruberto
Learning Diversity Leader
Daniela Ruberto
Learning Diversity Leader
Religious Education Leader
Wed/Thurs - alternate Friday