Empowering Voices: English and Literacy at Matakana School
At Matakana School, we believe that mastering English—encompassing Reading, Writing, and Oral Language—is the foundation for all learning. Our goal is to inspire confident communicators who can express themselves clearly and engage deeply with the world around them. By integrating literacy across our curriculum, we ensure that students see the value of these skills in every subject.
A Research-Based Approach
We are committed to high-quality instruction through a school-wide Structured Literacy approach. This evidence-based method ensures that all students receive a solid foundation in the "Science of Reading". Our toolkit for success includes:
Instructional Tools: We use a dedicated scope and sequence for teaching spelling and periodic assessment.
Innovative Writing Resources: High-quality tools such as The Writer’s Toolbox, The Syntax Project, and Literacy Shed make the writing process engaging and structured.
Digital Learning: To support learning both at school and at home, we provide access to programmes like Lexia CORE 5 and the Little Learners Love Literacy platform.
Integrated Units: We use specialized units of work that weave Reading and Writing together, ensuring a cohesive learning experience.
Support and Collaboration
We foster a supportive environment where students learn from one another and receive the help they need to thrive. We provide explicit teaching of handwriting across the school to ensure students' physical writing skills match their creative ideas. Collaborative programmes like 'Fluency Buddies' and 'Learner Partners' encourage students to practice reading and build confidence together.
For students requiring extra assistance, we offer a multi-tiered system of support, including one-on-one literacy sessions and small intervention groups for phonics and writing. Our dedicated specialist staff and Teacher Aides work closely with classroom teachers to ensure every learner has the best start to their literacy journey.
Celebrating Our Success
We believe that writing is meant to be shared. Our students show strong achievement across all areas of English, frequently meeting or exceeding high standards. We take great pride in showcasing this progress through community events like Grandparents Day, where students share their stories and celebrate their literacy milestones with their families.