Alphington Primary School

Central to Learning

The study of English is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. It is through a sound command of English that individuals are equipped to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and with the world around them, and to take responsibility for Australia’s future.

Reading

Alphington Primary utilises the resources from the Literacy Toolkit to provide a balanced approach to the teaching of reading. It includes:

Writing

At Alphington Primary we have adopted the Writer’s Workshop model which provides a balance of choice writing and teacher led, structured lessons. Our writing program encompasses:

Speaking & Listening

This dimension refers to the various formal and informal ways oral language is used to convey and receive meaning. It involves the development and demonstration of knowledge about the appropriate oral language for particular audiences and occasions, including body language and voice. It also involves the development of active-listening strategies and an understanding of the conventions of different spoken texts including everyday communication, group discussion, formal presentations and speeches, storytelling and negotiating.

Students at APS are provided with many opportunities, both formal and informal, to develop their speaking and listening skills. These include working in teams in class, formally presenting work to an audience and leading or speaking at school events. In addition, our senior students develop their debating skills through the creation of a Year 6 parliament. Throughout the course of the year staff and students work together to develop and review Speaking and Listening goals.