Over the past semester, 43 Year 7 students have studied Literacy and Numeracy, otherwise known as LAN.

LAN is semester-long course which supports students to focus on the development of their writing and mathematics skills. Sometimes, students have missed learning a skill in primary school, or have been left with gaps in their learning due to changes in their schooling. Other students just need a little more time and practice so they perform at their best in English and Mathematics.

Our teachers Sonja Masia, Kylee Gelkov Moss and Kim Woodcock this year built on the foundations of previous years to develop courses very responsive to students’ needs, that referenced the Australian Curriculum General Capabilties in Literacy and Numeracy. Classrooms have been cheerfully productive and students have achieved strong results across both areas of the course.

Many LAN students have the additional support of Quicksmart. This does not double up student learning; Quicksmart focusses solely on either reading or essential mental mathematical operations (+, -, x and /). In essence, the two programs complement each other.

Our Year 7s are now finishing LAN for 2019. In Semester 2, we will welcome CJ Walsh to the teaching team, and a large group of Year 8 students keen to refine their literacy and numeracy.

Sharon Hillcoat
HOD Middle School