English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Key English programs at WPS
Structured synthetics phonics instruction is delivered across K-2 classrooms and as intervention support beyond Year 2 as needed. Kindergarten utilise the Jolly Phonics program and Year 1 and Year 2 use InitiaLit. Structured synthetics phonics instruction is research-based and enables students to understand how letters relate to sounds so they can become accurate, fluent readers and writers.
Year 3 - Year 6 use the Promoting Literacy Development program to deliver spelling instruction, targeting student need at their level. This is another evidence-based program and aims for mastery of spelling concepts before progressing to more challenging concepts.
Students are regularly assessed at specific points within each of the classroom programs. We use PAT Assessments in Year 2 - Year 6 to monitor student growth and performance against national benchmarks.
NAPLAN and Check-In assessments are conducted in line with NSW DoE scheduling. We also use the NSW DoE Year 1 Phonics Check, Phonological Awareness Diagnostic Assessment K-2 and the Phonics Screener across Year 3 to ensure we accurately identify students at risk in terms of the development of literacy skills.
Students who are identified through the above assessments as having gaps in their literacy skills are then considered for literacy intervention. The programs we use include oral language groups in Kindergarten, small-group instruction in InitiaLit in Year 1 and Year 2, MiniLit and MacqLit, and SPELD for Year 3 - Year 6.
Students learn about the English language through written, spoken and visual texts of increasing complexity as they progress through their schooling.
An understanding of the English language is central to how we communicate and essential for intellectual, social and emotional development.
The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.