Literacy and Numeracy

Canterbury teaches the basics of literacy and numeracy using nationally-recognised, evidence-based practices.

English: Prep – Year 2

The English curriculum for Prep – Year 2 places a strong focus on the development of early literacy skills.

From their foundation school year, when students learn to read and create texts, to becoming independent readers and writers who can communicate effectively in different ways and for different purposes, the emphasis in the early years is ensuring students have a firm grasp of English conventions.

2023 sees Canterbury College transitioning to the new version of the Australian Curriculum.

Through knowledge-based units, students are exposed to a wide variety of rich texts that allow them to explore different genres, building their knowledge base, vocabulary, and communication skills.

At Canterbury College, novice readers are supported to develop their reading skills through the teaching of The Big 6: Oral Language, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency and Comprehension.

Students will read phonetically-controlled books to enable the practice of decoding words.

Writing development begins by students being able to construct sentences orally, progressing to writing complete and varied sentences within paragraphs and text types by Year 2.

In Years 1 and 2, text types and the language features of each are introduced formally.

English: Years 3-6

In the upper primary years, students will read and compare increasingly complex texts.

They will apply their knowledge of English conventions to other learning areas.

They will develop skills to communicate effectively, both in written and verbal form, for different purposes and settings.

The emphasis for students in the upper primary years is to consolidate their understandings and use of English conventions.

2023 sees Canterbury College transitioning to the new version of the Australian Curriculum.

Through knowledge-based units, students are exposed to a wide variety of rich texts that allow them to explore different genres, building their knowledge base, vocabulary, and communication skills.

Students move on from learning about phonics, to learning about how words work, through the teaching of spelling rules and patterns, morphology, and etymology.

Writing development is firmly grounded in students being able to construct complex sentences.

Grammar, syntax, and the mechanics of sentences are explicitly taught.

Students then apply this knowledge to different text types, incorporating specific text features into their written work.

Mathematics

Mathematics in the Junior School consists of explicit instruction alongside solid practise of maths skills, maths mentals and problem-solving through investigations.

The Junior School utilises a ‘whole school’ approach to Mathematics which immerses students in relevant, real-life maths investigations.

These engaging investigations allow students to genuinely apply and practise their knowledge of maths concepts.

Students are initially taught full concepts explicitly, and then progress to utilising their problem-solving tools to apply this learning in real-life situations.

Mental computation skills are also specifically taught.

This refers to completing calculations ‘in your head’ rather than recalling basic facts.

It is not necessarily more efficient than written computations.

However, the importance lies in its portability and flexibility.

As our students proceed through Junior School, they will develop an increasing repertoire of mental strategies to assist with calculating and estimating mentally.