Literacy
At Manifold Heights Primary School, literacy is at the heart of learning. Across 10 hours of English each week, students engage in a structured, evidence‑based program designed to build strong, confident readers and writers from Prep through Year 6.
In the early years, students participate in the Phonics Plus Program, a systematic and explicit approach to phonics. This program builds the essential foundations of reading and spelling through:
- Daily phonics instruction
- Vocabulary and morphology
- Decoding and encoding practice
- Fluency development
- Early comprehension and writing experiences
These foundations ensure every child develops the core literacy skills needed for long‑term success.
From Year 3 onwards, students transition into Spelling Mastery, a structured program that deepens their understanding of:
- Phonology
- Morphology
- Etymology
- Vocabulary and grammar
- Fluent reading and purposeful writing
This explicit approach strengthens students’ spelling knowledge and supports increasingly sophisticated literacy skills across the curriculum.
The second hour of our English Block is where students explore meaning, creativity and the craft of writing. Using high‑quality mentor texts, students learn to read like writers and write like readers.
During this time, students engage in:
- Comprehension instruction that builds deep understanding
- Vocabulary development that enriches language
- Explicit teaching of grammar, punctuation and syntax
- Modelled, shared and guided writing, with teachers demonstrating the writing process step‑by‑step
- Planning, drafting, revising and publishing
- Discussions that unpack author choices
- Activities that nurture a genuine love of writing
This hour brings together explicit teaching, rich literature and authentic writing experiences, helping every student grow as a thoughtful reader and confident writer.
As a whole school we celebrate Literacy and Book Week each year and offer the students the opportunity to participate in a range of activities including our Book Parade, writing competitions, visits from authors and sharing published texts with other grades across the school.
