Executive Director of Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education (DOBCEL), Tom Sexton, says Catholic primary schools in the Diocese have been moving towards an explicit instruction, phonics-based approach to teaching reading, as part of a structured literacy initiative, since January 2023.

Speaking in response to Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll’s announcement today of a move to a phonics approach to teaching F-2 reading in Victorian government schools, Mr Sexton said the Diocese had formed a partnership with La Trobe University early last year to proactively address the issue.

‘There is an overwhelming body of research supporting an explicit, sequential approach to teaching reading and literacy, of which phonics is an integral part, as the most effective method.

‘Since January 2023, support has been provided to schools and teachers across the diocese to make a strategic shift to a more structured literacy approach, informed by the sciences of reading and learning.

‘Educators have participated in professional learning in how the brain learns to read, and the latest research findings from neurology, linguistics, psychology, speech pathology and education,’ Mr Sexton said.

Noting Grattan Institute’s recent report ‘The Reading Guarantee’ outlines six recommendations for schools and systems to improve literacy results and embed best-practice literacy instruction, Mr Sexton said: ‘most DOBCEL schools are already fulfilling, and in many cases, exceeding these recommendations.’

Mr Sexton said the approach adopted in the Diocese allowed for school autonomy and flexibility in meeting the needs of individual students, particularly those who are more advanced with their literacy skills when they commence school.

‘We are taking a system development approach of ensuring our teachers have access to the most credible evidence and comprehensive training to deliver the best reading outcomes for all children,’ he said.

There are 52 Catholic primary schools and 11 secondary colleges across the Diocese of Ballarat, from Mildura in the north, Portland in the south, and west to Edenhope and Nhill, educating more than 18,500 students and employing over 2,500 teachers and support staff.