Building Strong Communicators and Critical Thinkers
At Pender’s Grove Primary School, our English program is designed to nurture confident communicators, imaginative thinkers, and informed, active citizens. English is not just a subject—it is the foundation for all learning. It enables students to express themselves, analyse the world around them, and build meaningful relationships with others.
Why English Matters
English plays a vital role in every student’s education journey. It supports success in learning, training, and employment, while also shaping ethical, informed, and thoughtful members of society. In a globally connected and culturally diverse country like Australia, effective communication in Standard Australian English is essential—not only for active participation in local communities, but also for international engagement.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Literature
The English curriculum also fosters a deep appreciation for literature, allowing students to explore stories and perspectives from a wide range of cultures. At Pender’s Grove, we recognise and celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australia’s rich literary heritage. Their unique ways of representing knowledge, tradition, and experience are integral to the study of English and contemporary Australian literature.
Our Approach to Teaching English
Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction
Our English program is guided by the latest research and best practices aligned with the Science of Reading. We place a strong emphasis on explicit, systematic teaching of:
– Reading
– Writing
– Spelling
This foundation is complemented by a focus on developing reading comprehension, a love of literature, and rich oral language experiences—often connected to our STEM program and inquiry-based learning.
The Big Six of Literacy
Our curriculum aligns with the Victorian English Curriculum and Literacy Teaching Toolkit, with a strong emphasis on the “Big Six” pillars of literacy development:
– Oral Language
– Phonological Awareness
– Phonics
– Vocabulary
– Fluency
– Comprehension
In Foundation to Year 2, we implement the Phonics Plus program daily. This helps students learn to decode words and build morphological awareness, setting a strong foundation for future learning.
Curriculum Goals: Victorian English Curriculum
The Victorian English Curriculum aims to ensure all students:
– Learn to listen to, read, view, speak, write, create and reflect on increasingly complex texts with fluency, accuracy and purpose
– Appreciate and enjoy the richness of the English language and its power to inform, entertain, persuade and connect
– Understand how Standard Australian English works in both spoken and written forms, as well as alongside non-verbal communication to create meaning
– Develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for literature through aesthetic inquiry and critical analysis
Enriching Literacy at Every Stage
At Pender’s Grove Primary School, we are committed to fostering a lifelong love of language and literacy. By combining evidence-based teaching with creativity, cultural insight and real-world connections, our English program supports students to thrive—both in the classroom and beyond.
