Our approach to English at St Brendan’s, 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:
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Spelling (through phonics, MSL, or Spelling Mastery) or Tier 2 spelling instruction (MACQLit)
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Daily Review
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Phonemic Awareness
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Fluency Reading
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Explicit Writing Instruction
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Comprehension through rich, engaging texts
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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.