Year 8 students at Rutherford Technology High School have excelled in the annual ELLA (English Language and Literacy Assessment) tests. Results in all areas of Writing, Language, Reading, and Literacy have returned outcomes above the State average growth, reflecting the emphasis that is placed on literacy skills throughout the school.
The ELLA results for Year 7 are also very pleasing, providing a sound platform on which to build improved literacy skills in the coming year.
A key factor in achieving this type of result in literacy is the Sound Ways program that is run at the school, specifically aimed at improving reading, writing and spelling skills of all students.
The program consists of 35 separate lessons on DVD with complementary workshop activities for students. All Year 7 and Year 8 students participate in the program which is run on a daily basis, progressively building and consolidating literacy skills.
Principal Paul Tracey says “We are all delighted with the ELLA results achieved by our Year 8 students and congratulate them for their efforts”. “Literacy skills are critical for all aspects of learning and it is particularly pleasing to see that the school’s investment in the Sound Ways program has produced such positive results”.