The school has supported individual students to achieve literacy and numeracy goals focused on helping students to “close gaps” in  their learning.

Research has shown the most effective programs for reading instruction incorporate three key elements: phonics, sight word recognition and supported reading.

The Learning Support Team at Robertson Public School drew on a range of strategies from evidence based practices to put together the learning program for literacy.

Trained tutors then deliver this program to students.

The numeracy program utilises identified key skills and understandings students need in Years 3 and 4.

This is used to ensure students consolidate place value concepts, non-count-by-one strategies for addition and subtraction, and strategies for developing the fundamentals in multiplication and division. 

The literacy program involves an intensive 20 minute session three times per week.

Students are supported in achieving increased sight word recognition, increased accuracy when reading, improved reading fluency and comprehension.

The numeracy program also involves an intensive 20 minute session three times per week.

In this program students are supported in achieving efficient strategies for addition and subtraction, place value skills and concepts and strategies for consolidating multiplication and division.

A Learning Support teacher oversees the implementation and supports tutors in their role, communicates progress to parents and staff, and ensures weekly resourcing.

In total 10 volunteers (parents and community members) have worked daily with 18 students over the past six months.

Principal of Robertson Public School Susan Matthews said she was pleased with the implementation and success of both programs.

Ms Matthews said the success of the program was due to the commitment of the volunteer tutors who had given their time to assist the students in their learning.

“The work of our volunteers in delivering these programs has been incredible. Our school is so fortunate to have such a supportive community,” she said.

“We could not achieve these results without this team of wonderful volunteers. Our students have benefited greatly from their time and commitment.” 

Ms Matthews said by closing gaps in students’ skills, knowledge and understandings, students gained confidence and readiness to access the learning back in their classrooms during the regular English and Mathematics lessons.

She said the program has had so much success, the school hopes to provide an on-going program in 2017.

The school  welcomes  any community members who would like to become a volunteer tutor.

For more information on the programs or to volunteer, contact Susan Matthews at Robertson Public School on 4885 1284.