Transforming Literacy Learning:
A School's Journey of Collaboration, Confidence, and Student Empowerment
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, some schools manage to create remarkable transformations that inspire and challenge traditional approaches to teaching and learning. The story of Mt Barker South Primary Schools literacy journey offers powerful insights into how strategic, collaborative approaches can revolutionise educational practices and student engagement.
The Starting Point: Recognising the Need for Change
The principal, Cassie Manton, explained that the school's literacy transformation began with a critical observation: students were reluctant readers and writers. Their school review highlighted a crucial problem - learning literacy was perceived as a chore, and student performance reflected this disengagement. This moment of reflection became the catalyst for a profound shift in educational approach.
Key Strategies for Meaningful Transformation
- Collaborative Professional Learning
The school's approach centred on collaboration. By establishing Literacy and Numeracy Action Teams with representatives from each year level, they created a structure that empowered teachers to lead change. These teams weren't just meetings, but dynamic spaces for professional dialogue, problem-solving, and shared learning.
Key elements of their collaborative approach included:
- Regular, structured planning sessions
- Side-by-side coaching
- Shared resources and open communication
- A culture of professional trust and mutual support
- Resourcing and Support
Leadership understood that meaningful change requires substantial support. They invested heavily in:
- Classroom libraries
- Mentor text collections
- Professional development time
- A facilitator to manage administrative tasks and maintain momentum
This approach demonstrated a commitment to removing barriers and providing teachers with the tools and time needed to innovate.
- Shifting Mindsets
Perhaps the most significant transformation was in mindset - for teachers, students, and the entire school community. They moved from:
- Deficit-based thinking to strength-based approaches
- Scripted interventions to responsive, flexible teaching
- Test-focused assessment to ongoing "noticing" of student learning
Practical Implementation
The school implemented several concrete changes:
- Starting each year with two weeks focused on building a community of readers and writers
- Establishing consistent workshop structures across all year levels
- Integrating reading, writing, and word work
- Providing significant independent reading time
- Encouraging student reflection and agency
A Holistic Approach to Literacy
Teachers began connecting literacy across different domains. A Year 3 teacher noted how vocabulary, reading, and writing now flowed together more naturally. Special education classes adapted the approach to meet diverse student needs, proving the model's flexibility.
Unexpected Benefits
The transformation yielded surprising outcomes:
- Students began identifying themselves as readers and writers
- Book borrowing increased
- Poetry, once dreaded, became a celebrated form of expression
- Teachers developed more confidence and professional satisfaction
Leadership's Role
Principal Cassie emphasised the importance of:
- Valuing teachers' existing skills
- Providing scaffolded support
- Creating structures that enable professional growth
- Maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement
Advice for Other Schools
For schools considering similar transformations, the leadership offers key advice:
- Evaluate current practices
- Acknowledge existing strengths
- Start with achievable "wins"
- Invest in proper resourcing
- Create supportive structures
- Remain open to refinement
Looking Forward
The school doesn't see this as a completed project, but an ongoing journey of learning and improvement. Their focus remains on continuous inquiry, supporting new teachers, and maintaining the collaborative spirit that drove their initial transformation.
Conclusion
This school's literacy journey demonstrates that meaningful educational change is possible through collaborative, supportive, and student-centred approaches. By shifting focus from rigid, test-driven models to responsive, holistic learning experiences, they've created an environment where students and teachers can truly thrive.
The key takeaway? Transformation is less about dramatic overhauls and more about creating a culture of continuous learning, mutual respect, and shared purpose.