Free books for every prep student

Every government school prep student across Macedon has received free books as part of an ambitious strategy by the Andrews Labor Government to lift literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Mary-Anne Thomas today visited preps on their very first day at Trentham Primary School and Riddells Creek Primary to present the new bags.

The bags include a range of expert-selected books and a copy of the new booklet Literacy and Numeracy Tips to Help Your Child Every Day.

Literacy and Numeracy Strategy Phase 2: Achieving Excellence and Equity in Literacy and Numeracy provides educators and teachers with resources and training to support kids from birth to secondary school.

The first phase of the Strategy included an online Literacy Teaching Toolkit for primary schools, and as part of the second phase of the Strategy this will now be expanded to support teachers at secondary schools.

The Toolkit provides practical advice and guidance, instructional videos and easy-to-use lesson plans to support teachers to implement the Victorian Curriculum F-10.

A new Mathematics Teaching Toolkit was made available late last year, giving teachers high-quality and evidence-based tools to boost students’ numeracy skills.

There will also be new advice for educators to assess a student’s progress, including a Digital Assessment Library which provides real-time feedback on the areas in which students are excelling and where they need more help.

Teachers will also have access to new resources to help them to identify, understand and meet the literacy and numeracy learning needs of students with learning difficulties, as well as Koorie students.

Every government school in Victoria will also have access to expert-led workshops in literacy and numeracy, helping them develop innovative and engaging ways of teaching students these vital skills.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 included $22.1 million for workshops and teaching tools to improve literacy and numeracy. The Labor Government is building the Education State so that every Victorian student gets the opportunity to get a great education and every community has access to a great local school.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"This is a fantastic initiative that will encourage a love of reading from a young age, strengthen important literacy skills and expand children’s imaginations."

"A strong foundation in literacy and numeracy is vital for every child and young person and underpins their ability to reach their potential in education and in life."