Learning Support

Montmorency Primary School offers a comprehensive learning support program to meet the diverse needs of all students. In addition to differentiated instruction in every classroom, MPS provides the following targeted learning support programs:

Literacy

MiniLit is a literacy intervention program aimed at young learners in Years 1 and 2 who are struggling to develop reading skills. Delivered in small groups of up to four students, MiniLit sessions run for 45 minutes, four to five times a week. Each lesson focuses on two key areas:

• Working with sounds and words – where children are explicitly taught the relationship between sounds and letters.
• Practice and application – providing further opportunities for students to apply and reinforce their reading skills.

MacqLit is a similar literacy intervention program for students in Year 3 and above who require additional support with reading. Delivered in small groups of up to four students, MacqLit sessions last one hour and are held four to five times a week.

Both the MiniLit and MacqLit programs were developed by MultiLit, a research-based initiative from Macquarie University. At MPS, these programs are facilitated by staff who are specially trained to deliver effective instruction.

Numeracy

The Bond Blocks Maths Intervention Program is a structured educational approach designed to help students who are struggling with key mathematical concepts, particularly in primary education. The program uses Bond Blocks, a set of physical, color-coded blocks that represent numbers and mathematical operations. These blocks allow students to physically manipulate and visualize abstract mathematical ideas, which can be especially helpful for learners who need more hands-on support.

The program focuses on building a strong foundation in fundamental math areas such as:

• Place value
• Addition and subtraction
• Multiplication and division
• Number patterns
• Problem-solving skills

The intervention is aimed at supporting students who need additional help, often outside of regular classroom lessons, by providing them with targeted, interactive learning experiences. This helps students build confidence, improve their understanding, and ultimately catch up in areas where they may have fallen behind.

The Bond Blocks Maths Intervention Program was designed by Dr Paul Swan, an educator and expert in mathematics education. Paul Swan’s work focuses on using practical and visual tools to enhance students’ learning experiences, and the Bond Blocks program reflects his commitment to making mathematics more accessible and engaging for all students.