The SPELD NSW Member spotlight shines a light on individual, school and professional members.
This month Anne Davis, Principal, Sophie Roberts, Deputy Principal Instructional Leader and Julie Mavlian, Learning & Support Teacher from Riverwood Public School share their involvement with SPELD NSW.
Why did you join SPELD NSW?
As we began our journey into the Science of Reading we looked to SPELD for expertise and reliable information to support a planned whole school approach.
What have you implemented at your school since becoming a SPELD NSW member?
Having large numbers of students requiring intervention we needed to maximise our impact and the number of students accessing support. We used resources from SPELD to support this process and linked into our community via TAFE students.
The use of decodable texts K-2 and 3-6 to bridge gaps that we identified through our screening processes to ensure all students learn to read before they leave Year 6.
Which SPELD NSW services have you accessed and found useful.
The SPELD website has provided excellent links to professional learning, resourcing and information. Our school membership gave us significant discounts when purchasing resources and PL.
George from SPELD came out to the school and showed us a comprehensive range of decodable texts and resources to support student learning. She was able to guide us in selecting appropriate resources and provide guidance around implementation.
SPELD also designed and delivered professional learning for all our staff in using decodable texts. Staff have a stronger understanding around how and when to use decodable texts syllabus and progressions documents.
Why would you recommend SPELD NSW to other parents, professionals or schools?
They are not-for-profit organisation committed to advocating for the needs of students through promoting and supporting evidence-based instruction. Membership fees and the professional learning they provided was very reasonably priced and an excellent investment of school funds. SPELD staff members are very approachable and helpful and very quickly understood the needs of our school. Their website contains a lot of parent friendly information and resources, which has helped us to support families.
What impact has SPELD NSW had on your school?
We have seen enhanced teacher knowledge and confidence resulting in strong growth in our literacy results and an increase in students benefiting from evidence-based intervention. Students have experienced significant growth and, as a result, have improved their confidence, self-esteem and engagement in the classroom. Our parent community is more informed and better able to support their children at home. SPELD has also enabled connection to other teachers and schools implementing a science of reading approach.
Accessing expertise through SPELD has supported our direction to embed the Science of Reading in all Riverwood classrooms.
What next in 2021?
We will continue in our planned approach through strengthening teacher knowledge, enhancing parent and community participation in our school. Through our connection with SPELD we will continue to close the gaps in reading achievement and ensure continued growth for all students. We look forward to further networking with school who are implementing the Science of Reading so we can continue to learn and share our expertise at Riverwood Public School.
