Teaching and Learning
Our Approach to Learning at Coburg North Primary School
At Coburg North Primary School, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every student is supported to grow, achieve and thrive.
Guided by our mantra, “Learning together to lead stronger,” we foster a culture of collaboration, high expectations and continuous improvement.
At Coburg North Primary School, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every student is supported to grow, achieve and thrive.
Guided by our mantra, “Learning together to lead stronger,” we foster a culture of collaboration, high expectations and continuous improvement.
FISO 2.0
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Our approach to teaching and learning is grounded in evidence-based, high-impact practices, aligned with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0). We prioritise explicit teaching, structured and sequential learning, and responsive instruction, ensuring all students develop strong foundations and are supported to make ongoing progress.
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VTLM 2.0
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We believe that deep learning occurs when students not only build knowledge and skills, but also apply, transfer and extend their learning in meaningful contexts. Through a balance of explicit instruction and opportunities for inquiry, students are empowered to think critically, solve problems and take an active role in their learning.
Our curriculum is designed to be challenging, engaging and inclusive, supporting every learner to feel confident, capable and connected. Across Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry, we are committed to building strong foundations while fostering curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.
Our curriculum is designed to be challenging, engaging and inclusive, supporting every learner to feel confident, capable and connected. Across Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry, we are committed to building strong foundations while fostering curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.
Literacy
At Coburg North Primary School, students participate in a daily literacy block designed to build strong foundations in reading and writing through evidence-based, high-impact teaching practices. Our approach is informed by the Big 6 of literacy—oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. These elements are further informed Scarborough’s Reading Rope, which illustrate how the many strands of literacy work together to build proficient readers, deepening understanding over time. Our writing program includes has been developed guided by the Writing Rope integrating handwriting/typing, sentence-level work, genre-based writing and critical thinking, with a focus on meaningful and engaging contexts. Students develop their skills in phonics, spelling and writing so they can communicate their ideas clearly and confidently. We use Promoting Literacy Development (PLD) as a whole-school approach from Foundation to Year 6. PLD provides structured synthetic phonics instruction, explicitly teaching letter–sound relationships and supporting students to apply these skills in both reading and writing. This consistent, sequential approach ensures continuity of learning and supports steady progress across all year levels. In reading and writing, students engage with decodable texts in the early years, and transition to rich literature, novels and mentor texts in the upper years. These texts support the development of fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, while also providing strong models for writing. Clear connections between reading and writing strengthen students’ ability to transfer and apply their learning. Teaching is responsive to student need, with ongoing assessment and differentiation ensuring all learners are appropriately supported and challenged. Students are provided with opportunities to apply their skills in meaningful contexts, fostering active engagement, critical thinking and deeper learning. 
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Numeracy
At Coburg North Primary School, students develop their understanding of mathematical concepts through a range of learning experiences designed to meet their individual needs. Teaching is underpinned by evidence-based, high-impact practices, with explicit instruction, modelling and guided support enabling students to build confidence and apply their learning.
Students explore mathematical ideas using hands-on materials, visual representations and abstract thinking, supporting a deep understanding of concepts and helping them make connections between mathematics and real-life contexts.
Learning tasks are carefully sequenced, moving from supported practice to independent application and problem solving. Open-ended tasks and real-world examples encourage students to think mathematically, explain their reasoning and justify their thinking.
Our structured and sequential approach to numeracy supports students to build confidence, deepen their understanding, and develop strong problem-solving skills. Through ongoing assessment, teaching is responsive to student need, ensuring all learners are supported and challenged to apply their learning in new and meaningful ways.
At Coburg North Primary School, students develop their understanding of mathematical concepts through a range of learning experiences designed to meet their individual needs. Teaching is underpinned by evidence-based, high-impact practices, with explicit instruction, modelling and guided support enabling students to build confidence and apply their learning.
Students explore mathematical ideas using hands-on materials, visual representations and abstract thinking, supporting a deep understanding of concepts and helping them make connections between mathematics and real-life contexts.
Learning tasks are carefully sequenced, moving from supported practice to independent application and problem solving. Open-ended tasks and real-world examples encourage students to think mathematically, explain their reasoning and justify their thinking.
Our structured and sequential approach to numeracy supports students to build confidence, deepen their understanding, and develop strong problem-solving skills. Through ongoing assessment, teaching is responsive to student need, ensuring all learners are supported and challenged to apply their learning in new and meaningful ways.
Inquiry and Challenge-Based Learning (Grade 1 to 6)
At Coburg North Primary School, our curriculum emphasises Inquiry Learning and Challenge-Based Learning, where students explore real-world issues through guiding questions and authentic challenges utilising the 6Cs as the underpinning for learning, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication, citizenship and character. This approach promotes student voice and agency, enabling learners to take an active role in their learning and develop a deep understanding of concepts. Teaching combines explicit instruction with opportunities for exploration, collaboration and problem solving, ensuring students build strong knowledge before applying it in meaningful contexts. Through the use of technology and collaborative learning, students are supported to think critically, ask questions and generate solutions to complex problems. Students engage with knowledge-rich texts during literacy learning to build the background knowledge required for deeper inquiry. They apply their reading, writing and mathematical skills to investigate, create and communicate their understanding, strengthening connections across the curriculum. Learning is designed to be challenging, purposeful and relevant, supporting students to transfer and apply their knowledge in new contexts. This approach fosters deep learning, critical thinking and engagement, preparing students to be confident, capable and curious learners. Challenge-Based Learning (Years 1–6) further engages students with real-world problems, supporting them to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. Each year, students showcase their learning through Student-Led Exhibitions, providing authentic opportunities to share their thinking, learning and growth with others. 
Student Led Exhibitions
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Guided Play and Play-Based Learning (Foundation) At Coburg North Primary School, our Foundation program incorporates Guided Play and Play-Based Learning as a key approach to supporting students in their first year of schooling. This approach recognises that young learners develop best through active, engaging and purposeful experiences that build strong foundations for future learning. Teaching during play is intentional and responsive, aligned with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and FISO 2.0. Teachers use observation, questioning and targeted interactions to extend student thinking, introduce new concepts and support each child’s individual learning needs. Through carefully designed play experiences, students explore, create and problem solve using open-ended materials and tasks. Teachers guide learning through explicit teaching within play, modelling and timely feedback, ensuring that key skills and understandings are developed in meaningful contexts. Play-based learning also supports the development of oral language, early literacy and numeracy skills, while fostering curiosity, creativity and confidence. Students are encouraged to collaborate, communicate and build relationships, strengthening their social and emotional development and sense of belonging. This approach aligns with the Victorian Curriculum and Early Years Learning Framework, supporting students to develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions needed for a successful transition into formal schooling. Through Guided Play, students build independence, resilience and positive learning behaviours that underpin their growth and development throughout their schooling. |
Specialist Programs
At Coburg North Primary School, our diverse specialist programs provide students with a well-rounded and engaging education, supporting learning across multiple domains:
Specialist teachers use explicit instruction, modelling and guided practice, alongside opportunities for creativity, collaboration and independent application. This ensures students build strong skills and knowledge while also having opportunities to explore, create and extend their learning in meaningful ways.
Our specialist programs play a vital role in fostering student engagement, wellbeing and connectedness to school. Through these learning areas, students develop creativity, critical thinking, physical skills and cultural understanding, while also strengthening their confidence and sense of achievement.
Students are encouraged to apply their learning across contexts, supporting transfer of knowledge and deeper learning. Specialist subjects complement classroom learning and contribute to the development of the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
For more information about our specialist program, please visit the Specialist page.
At Coburg North Primary School, our diverse specialist programs provide students with a well-rounded and engaging education, supporting learning across multiple domains:
- Physical Education
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Italian
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)
Specialist teachers use explicit instruction, modelling and guided practice, alongside opportunities for creativity, collaboration and independent application. This ensures students build strong skills and knowledge while also having opportunities to explore, create and extend their learning in meaningful ways.
Our specialist programs play a vital role in fostering student engagement, wellbeing and connectedness to school. Through these learning areas, students develop creativity, critical thinking, physical skills and cultural understanding, while also strengthening their confidence and sense of achievement.
Students are encouraged to apply their learning across contexts, supporting transfer of knowledge and deeper learning. Specialist subjects complement classroom learning and contribute to the development of the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
For more information about our specialist program, please visit the Specialist page.
Digital Technologies
At Coburg North Primary School, digital technologies are integrated across the curriculum, supporting students to become confident, capable and responsible users of technology. Our approach aligns with the Victorian Curriculum and is underpinned by evidence-based, high-impact teaching practices, consistent with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and FISO 2.0.
Students develop their skills in digital literacy, problem solving and computational thinking through a structured and sequential approach. Teaching combines explicit instruction with opportunities for exploration, collaboration and creation, enabling students to apply their knowledge in meaningful and authentic contexts.
Our programs support students to use technology safely, creatively and purposefully:
Digital technologies enhance learning across all curriculum areas, supporting engagement, differentiation and student agency. Students are encouraged to create, design and communicate their ideas using digital tools, preparing them with the skills and dispositions needed to thrive in a digital world.
Please see our Digital Technologies page for more information.
At Coburg North Primary School, digital technologies are integrated across the curriculum, supporting students to become confident, capable and responsible users of technology. Our approach aligns with the Victorian Curriculum and is underpinned by evidence-based, high-impact teaching practices, consistent with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and FISO 2.0.
Students develop their skills in digital literacy, problem solving and computational thinking through a structured and sequential approach. Teaching combines explicit instruction with opportunities for exploration, collaboration and creation, enabling students to apply their knowledge in meaningful and authentic contexts.
Our programs support students to use technology safely, creatively and purposefully:
- eSmart School – promotes the safe, responsible and ethical use of digital technologies
- iPad Program – provides access to devices (Foundation–Year 4 shared 1:2 and Years 5–6 1:1) to support collaborative, creative and personalised learning
- Coding and Algorithms – develops logical thinking, problem solving and an understanding of how digital systems work
Digital technologies enhance learning across all curriculum areas, supporting engagement, differentiation and student agency. Students are encouraged to create, design and communicate their ideas using digital tools, preparing them with the skills and dispositions needed to thrive in a digital world.
Please see our Digital Technologies page for more information.
Differentiation and Inclusion
At Coburg North Primary School, we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student is known, valued and able to succeed. We recognise and respond to the diverse needs of our students through a responsive approach to teaching and learning, ensuring all learners are supported, challenged and engaged.
Teaching is responsive to student need, with ongoing assessment used to inform planning, differentiation and targeted instruction. Teachers provide a range of adjustments, supports and extension opportunities to ensure all students can access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
Our Wellbeing and Inclusion Team works in partnership with teachers to design and implement personalised supports for students. This includes targeted interventions, adjustments and inclusive practices that address students’ academic, social and emotional needs.
Support may look different for each student, reflecting their individual strengths, needs and goals. Through a collaborative approach, we ensure that all students are provided with the conditions they need to participate, achieve and feel a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
At Coburg North Primary School, we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student is known, valued and able to succeed. We recognise and respond to the diverse needs of our students through a responsive approach to teaching and learning, ensuring all learners are supported, challenged and engaged.
Teaching is responsive to student need, with ongoing assessment used to inform planning, differentiation and targeted instruction. Teachers provide a range of adjustments, supports and extension opportunities to ensure all students can access the curriculum and make progress in their learning.
Our Wellbeing and Inclusion Team works in partnership with teachers to design and implement personalised supports for students. This includes targeted interventions, adjustments and inclusive practices that address students’ academic, social and emotional needs.
Support may look different for each student, reflecting their individual strengths, needs and goals. Through a collaborative approach, we ensure that all students are provided with the conditions they need to participate, achieve and feel a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
