Learning at St Columba's
International Writing Consultant
Over the past five years, St Columba’s has built a strong partnership with Matt Glover, an internationally recognised literacy consultant and author. Each year, both staff and students have the opportunity to learn alongside Matt through classroom demonstrations, professional learning, observations, and collaborative planning.
Matt has been a teacher, principal, author, and consultant for more than 35 years. He is the author and co-author of numerous books on writing instruction and is widely respected for his work nurturing young writers, fostering student engagement, and supporting teachers in creating authentic and meaningful writing experiences. Matt works with schools around the world, including many International Baccalaureate (IB) schools.
Matt’s approach aligns closely with our school’s philosophy of teaching and learning and complements the values of the IB Primary Years Programme. His work emphasises student agency, choice, engagement, and helping students see themselves as capable and purposeful writers.
While in Australia, Matt visits a range of schools, including independent and IB schools. We are incredibly fortunate to continue our partnership with him and provide this opportunity for both staff and students.
During his visit, teachers worked alongside Matt to plan their upcoming writing units and are excited to begin this next stage of learning with their students.
Our writing units are designed around a clear purpose and a set of learning goals. Teachers identify the focus of the unit and then develop approximately 15–18 mini lessons delivered over 3–5 weeks. Throughout the unit, students closely study published authors, analyse writing craft, learn from teacher demonstrations, and celebrate examples from their peers. Students also participate in regular conferences with teachers and peers, using feedback and goal setting to reflect on their progress and strengthen their writing.
Upcoming writing units across the school include:
- Prep – Personal Narrative Writing - How can we turn our memories and experiences into stories that others will want to read?
- Year 1 – Genre Study - What type of book are you writing?
- Year 2 – Revision Study - What can I do to make my writing stronger for my audience?
- Year 3/4 – Planning Study - What type of plan will suit different genres of writing?
- Year 6 – Revision Study - How can I uplevel my writing to engage my audience?
These guiding questions are used to provoke thinking, spark curiosity, and provide a clear focus for each unit. They support students to reflect on their learning while helping teachers maintain consistency and purpose throughout the writing process.
We encourage you to ask your child about their new writing unit and the interesting “writing moves” they are learning and trying in their own writing. These conversations help students recognise themselves as authors and celebrate their growth as writers.
