The Use of Structured Literacy and Evidence-Based Assessments
to Improve Student Outcomes

At Northern Christian School, our mission is to provide the highest quality Christ-centred education that prepares and equips students for life. We are dedicated to helping our students thrive in every aspect of their schooling.
To support this goal, we have invested in high-impact, structured literacy programs and evidence-based assessments, using data to drive meaningful improvements in learning and support.

In 2023, I had the privilege of participating in Dr. Selena Fisk’s ‘Data Champion’ course, which highlighted how data could transform teaching and learning practices. Inspired by this, our staff reviewed our assessment processes and consulted with experts to develop a comprehensive Data Action Plan. The Plan outlines how we collect, store, display, analyse, and communicate data to evaluate options and make data-informed decisions for change.

Through this journey, we have adopted and implemented new tools that are aligned with best practices, such as DIBELS. We also introduced additional evidence-based assessments at higher intervention levels, including DIBELS Progress Monitoring, the Heggerty Assessment, and the DIRT Assessment. This year, in line with structured literacy approaches, we have also introduced new literacy programs Initialit, SpellEx, and Jocelyn Seamer’s Spelling Success in Action. At Tiers 2 and 3, we continue using MiniLit and MacqLit, intensive literacy interventions complementing our Tier 1 programs. These initiatives are supported by rigorous assessments that help us build comprehensive profiles for both individual students and entire classes.

These assessments provide clear insights into a student’s understanding, revealing learning gaps and enabling us to set targeted goals and apply interventions where they are most needed. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, we can dig deeper into each student’s challenges and offer tailored support that truly makes a difference. With a range of evidence-based tools, we can be confident in our approach.

Integrating evidence-based assessments with high-quality Tier 1 programs, complemented by well-aligned Tier 2 and 3 interventions, has led to significant growth for many of our students. Notably, several Year 1 and 2 students receiving Tier 2 support through MiniLit made such remarkable progress that they no longer required intervention, a success celebrated by students, staff, and families alike.

Our commitment to data-informed improvement extends beyond literacy. This year, we also introduced the AISNSW Numeracy Screener, which has provided valuable feedback on student learning throughout the year. It has been instrumental in identifying student needs and class-level strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to set Numeracy SMART goals with a more comprehensive approach. In addition to targeting specific foundational gaps, we can assess year-level content to identify areas where students need extra support to reach grade-level expectations. This dual focus ensures more precise and effective interventions.

Our commitment to providing the highest quality Christ-centred education continues as we continue improving our teaching practices and expanding our use of evidence-based assessments. We are excited by the changes we have implemented this year and look forward to continuing to refine our practices in order to see our students flourish and achieve their God-given potential.

Kerrie Prentice - Learning Enrichment Coordinator

It is exciting to be in the last term of Year 1! We are very proud of the progress that the class has made, particularly in English. This term, we have been learning some more advanced spelling rules such as g making the /j/ sound and c making the /s/ sound when they are followed by an i, e, or y.

The students find lots of excitement in seeing words that follow these rules on posters, in library books and other texts. We have spent time practising recognising the graphemes (letter combinations) as well as reading and spelling words with these sounds.

Following on from our Past, Present and Future unit last term, the class have been writing letters to older family members, asking them to share what their lives were like when they were growing up. We are excited to receive letters in return and share answers.

In Health, we have been learning about how to keep ourselves safe. We have considered different situations we might find ourselves in (e.g. at the beach or pool) and what we need to do to look after ourselves and others. We have also looked at different rules there are for bike riding and using medicine and why we need to follow these rules. This unit aligned closely with Day for Daniel and Fire Safety Week.

We look forward to celebrating the end of a great year!

Claire Gardner and Peter Humphrey - Year 1 Teachers

Prep - Year 6 Athletics Carnival
Friday, 15th November

The 2024 Athletics Carnival is for all students from Prep to Year 6.

We aim to hold the running races in the morning between 9.30am and 11.00am and field events after recess. However, we do not have a set schedule for events and run the activities according to the organisational requirements on the day. Therefore, we are unable to provide families with specific times for events and encourage families to attend for the whole day.

Students must wear Sports uniform or clothing in their house colour suitable for participating in sports events. Teachers will remind students of their house colour prior to the event.

We welcome parent help on the day, especially for the class field events. If you are available to help, please let the class teacher know.

Parents and families are welcome to attend this event to support the students throughout the day. Some seating will be provided; however, feel free to bring your own chair or picnic blanket.

This is always a great day of encouragement, fun and achievement, so we look forward to welcoming everyone.

Peter Humphrey - Physical Education Teacher

Community Engagement Committee Hosting Lunch

The Community Engagement Committee will be hosting lunch for students at the Athletics Carnival. Hot Dogs are $4.00. Orders must be placed via the QKR! app by 4.00pm on Wednesday, 13th November. No late orders will be accepted and no cash on the day. Families are also welcome to order hotdogs by simply adding names to the order.

Please note all students will be provided with a free Zooper Dooper. 

We would love some help with serving the lunch from 12.40pm onwards. Please email the Community Engagement Committee if you would like to help.

Community Engagement Committee

Friday, 22nd November
8.30am - 9.00am

Come and join us as we share our love of reading in our Library! Families are warmly invited to come and enjoy a FREE hot chocolate and start the school day reading with their child in our fantastic Library.

We'd love to see you there!

During Term 4, the Student Representative Council (SRC) will help our community by supporting St Vincent de Paul to provide emergency relief packs for needy families and individuals.

Our support of the ‘Vinnies Christmas Appeal’ this year means we can help individuals and families struggling with increased living costs experience more joy, dignity and hope.

Donated items can be placed under the tree in the Office. We are asking families to contribute specific food items over a four-week period that we will deliver to Vinnies. The dates and items to be donated will be as follows: 

Week Beginning Monday, 11 November:

• Cans of Big’N Chunky Soup (535g)

• Long Life (UHT) milk (1 litre)

• Tinned Fruit

Week Beginning Monday, 18 November:

• Jars of pasta sauce

• Pasta

• Long-life juice

Week Beginning Monday, 25 November:

• Breakfast cereals

• Tim Tams

Week Beginning Monday, 2 December:

• Biscuits

• Spreads – jam, Vegemite

• Shampoo/conditioner

• Christmas pudding

The SRC will organise a fundraising activity to donate money to purchase additional food. There will be more details about this in the coming weeks.

Thank you again for your support.

Student Representative Council (SRC) 

We Raised $238!

Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest day of action to raise awareness of child safety, protection and harm intervention.

On this day, we encouraged all students to wear red and donate. Thank you to all those who supported this foundation so they can continue to provide resources and awareness on this topic.

For more information about Day for Daniel or for access to free resources and advice about talking with your child about personal safety, please visit danielmorcombe.com.au