A focus on improving the literacy and learning outcomes of secondary school students across the diocese of Ballarat continued today with professional development led by project partner the University of Melbourne Faculty of Education.

Initiated in late 2020, the Improving Literacy in the Secondary Years (ILSY) Strategy and professional learning program is designed to guide teachers and school leaders to explicitly and systematically lead school improvement using a disciplinary literacy approach.

Professor Larissa McLean Davies, Deputy Dean – Faculty of Education, says the project is founded on the premise that literacy is fundamental to all learning.

‘We know that improved literacy skills lead to better learning outcomes across all disciplines, and to improve literacy requires inputs at all levels within the school setting.

‘Our work with Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat aims to provide practical strategies for leaders and teachers to embed literacy skills across the depth and breadth of learning on their campuses,’ she said.

DOBCEL Education Officer and project co-ordinator, Julia Petrov said the ILSY program immerses secondary school leaders and teachers in whole-school literacy approaches.

‘We want schools to gain a deep understanding of the needs of literacy learners across all areas of the secondary curriculum and to lead sustainable improvement in student learning outcomes.

‘Today’s professional learning is designed to provide ongoing guidance and support to explicitly and systematically lead school improvement using a disciplinary literacy approach.

‘We are privileged to partner in this work with the University of Melbourne and experts of the calibre of Larissa and Dr Pauline Thompson, Senior Lecturer – Instructional Leadership,’ Ms Petrov said.