Literacy and Numeracy at WSC

Checklists

In the last newsletter of 2024, it was communicated that Literacy and Numeracy Checklists would be made available to junior students in 2025. The checklists reinforce that approaching writing and problem-solving as a ‘process’ offers a range of potential benefits.

In terms of writing, clarity and cohesion can be improved as the writer refines content and structure during the process, ensuring what they write (or plan to write) is appropriate for their purpose and audience. In addition, creativity can be positively impacted by writing as a process as writers are encouraged to consider and explore a wide range of ideas before they draft, unconstrained by focusing on the form their writing will take. Proofreading and editing is a crucial part of the process, which allows writers to ensure grammatical accuracy, a tone appropriate for their audience, and that they have achieved their purpose.

In much the same way, students can achieve positive numeracy outcomes by applying process ideas to problem-solving. By planning a strategic approach to a problem, they are more likely to apply appropriate calculations to find a solution. Their approach to solving the problem can then be justified following a period of reflection.

Lit/Num Workshops

Four literacy and numeracy workshops have run so far this term, and have been well attended by students seeking further support in preparation for the Literacy and Numeracy CAAs. They have covered a range of topics including vocabulary acquisition, reading and writing strategies, numeracy skills, decimals, rates, ratios, and measurement. A highlight of the workshops was in week 6 and week 7, where Year 13 Student Leaders attended to offer support and scaffold tasks.

A reminder that the workshop schedule can be found on the help tab on the Student Landing Page and the relevant slides are linked to the workshop schedule document. Attendance is encouraged for students yet to achieve one or both CAAs.