Catalyst at St Matthew’s Primary School

Catalyst encompasses the teaching and learning approach of Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn. Informed by the Science of Learning and Science of Reading, Catalyst delivers excellent learning experiences for students through evidence-based teaching practice and high-quality resources. The approach has been developed to provide your child with the very best opportunity to learn and thrive in a positive, safe, and supportive environment. Catalyst also places a strong focus on literacy, providing intervention programs and shared literacy curriculum resources for all year levels.

Through this approach, which is based on global research on the way students learn best, children will benefit from –

• High expectations for learning
• Equal opportunity classrooms
• A focus on learning
• Impactful teaching practice
• Increased knowledge-building engagement in learning
• Improved retrieval of learnt content

St Matthew’s has a practical and evidence-based approach to teaching and learning, providing the education our students and families deserve. We deliver excellent learning experiences by focusing on quality learning materials, impactful lessons, and best-practice assessments. 

For K-2 Students

St Matthew’s implements an approach known as Systematic Synthetics Phonics, which will inform the way we teach our youngest learners to read and grow into great readers. This learning program is designed to teach children to read based on the sounds letters and letter combinations make, later bringing in learned vocabulary (words they know) and comprehension (words they understand the meaning of). These programs are designed to be taught sequentially and step-by-step.

For All Students

St Matthew’s implements evidence-based teaching practice, meaning every student in every classroom is provided with highly impactful lessons that improve learning outcomes. This teaching practice is relevant to all year groups and subjects and is contextualised with relevant learning materials and complexity.

How do I support my child at home?

Parents are encouraged to discuss with their teacher how they can best support their child’s learning at home. This will change depending on each child’s age and teaching approach, but will typically include:

• Reading with your child daily - Encourage daily reading and help them explain what they learnt or enjoyed in the book. For younger children, ask them to read aloud at least four times per week.
• Share learnings - Encourage your child to talk about a topic, idea, or skill they have learnt at school and ask detailed questions
• Build vocabulary - Help your child learn new words by using tricky and complex words, explaining what they mean and how they can use them.
• Ask your child's teacher - Your child’s teacher can provide specific support and advice for learning at home.