Woodvale Primary School has adopted PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) approach to phonics and Spelling from Kindergarten to Year 6. PLD is based on international research and focuses on teaching Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP), in conjunction with motor & movement and oral language skills, to help children achieve broad level literacy skills.

Teachers provide daily opportunities for students to write, and use strategies and approaches from First Steps and Seven Steps to Writing Success to explicitly teach the elements and complexities of writing across the school.

Reading is taught through First Steps approaches including Guided Reading. Students read for enjoyment, check their comprehension, and earn reading rewards, through the Literacy Pro comprehension program. At Woodvale, we encourage a love of reading with Book Week being an annual celebration of literature.

Oral language (speaking and listening) instruction begins in Kindergarten and is a key element of PLD. Students are provided with opportunities to speak in informal and formal situations throughout their schooling. The Soap Box Competition is a key component of our oral language program, and a highlight of the school calendar.