Curriculum Program
Literacy at Millwarra Primary School
At Millwarra Primary School, our literacy program aims to nurture lifelong readers and writers. We use a clear, systematic approach that builds students’ skills and deepens their understanding of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Phonics and Early Literacy
Our Junior teachers implement Little Learners Love Literacy, an effective phonics program that lays a strong foundation in reading and writing. This early focus supports creativity and sets students up for ongoing success.
Reading
We follow the CAFE model, which focuses on Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary. A key part of our program is student choice—each child selects “good-fit” books from their personal tubs to enjoy during independent reading. Students also choose activities during Daily 5 rotations, allowing them to engage with reading in ways that suit their interests and learning styles. Regular one-on-one reading conferences help students set and review personal reading goals with their teachers.
Writing
Writing is taught using the 6+1 Writing Traits framework, which highlights seven essential components: Voice, Organisation, Ideas, Conventions, Vocabulary, Sentence Fluency, and Presentation. Alongside structured genre lessons, students keep a writer’s notebook for free writing and gathering ideas, encouraging creativity and self-expression.
Speaking and Listening
Students develop oral language skills through a variety of formal and informal activities across the curriculum. We explicitly teach skills for effective listening and confident speaking. Students also take part in formal speaking and listening tasks, receiving constructive feedback from both peers and teachers to support their growth.
Numeracy at Millwarra Primary School
At Millwarra Primary School, we use the Top Ten Maths program, a whole-school, hands-on approach designed to build strong numeracy skills and support student progress in mathematics. This program combines explicit teaching with engaging, concrete materials to make learning meaningful and accessible for all students.
Key Features of the Top Ten Maths Program
- Hands-On and Explicit Teaching
Moving beyond traditional worksheets, our program focuses on hands-on activities and clear, direct instruction to help students understand mathematical concepts deeply. - Developmentally Sequenced Units
Lessons are carefully organized into units that follow a logical developmental progression, ensuring students build their skills step-by-step. - Concrete Materials
Students learn using a variety of physical resources such as counters, dice, rulers, and attribute blocks, helping them visualise and explore mathematical ideas. - Diagnostic and Formative Assessments
Regular assessments allow teachers to identify individual strengths and areas for growth, enabling tailored support and targeted intervention where needed. - Real-Life Connections
The program uses everyday examples and practical scenarios to make math relevant and engaging, helping students see the value of numeracy in their daily lives.
