Transforming Education: The Impact of Explicit Instruction at Bethany Catholic Primary School

A New Approach to Learning: Bethany Catholic Primary School Leads the Way

In the bustling suburb of Werribee North, Victoria, Bethany Catholic Primary School has emerged as a beacon of innovation in education. With nearly 600 students, the school has embraced a transformative approach to teaching and learning: explicit instruction. This method, which focuses on clear, structured, and direct teaching, has not only improved academic outcomes but has also created a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Principal Joanne Webster has been at the forefront of this change, leading the school to adopt phonics and explicit instruction programs in 2023. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, with significant improvements in both numeracy and literacy proficiency. Between 2023 and 2024, numeracy proficiency increased by 13.6%, while reading proficiency saw a staggering 17.6% rise. These statistics are not just numbers on a page—they represent the lives of students who are now better equipped to succeed academically and beyond.

Bridging the Gap: How Explicit Instruction Benefits All Students

One of the most notable outcomes of explicit instruction at Bethany Catholic Primary School has been its ability to close the gaps between students who were previously struggling and those who were excelling. Principal Joanne Webster highlights that this approach allows teachers to identify and address specific areas where students need support. “The method really does provide them with greater support because we’re finding exactly what they need when an issue comes up,” she explained. By breaking down complex concepts into manageable, bite-sized pieces, explicit instruction ensures that no student is left behind. This targeted support is particularly crucial for students who may have gaps in their foundational knowledge of maths or reading. Webster emphasizes that these gaps, which could have widened as students progressed through the school system, are now being addressed and diminished. The result is a more equitable education system where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Retaining Knowledge: Overcoming the "Summer Slide"

One of the most exciting discoveries at Bethany Catholic Primary School has been the impact of explicit instruction on students’ ability to retain knowledge over time. Webster recalled that in previous years, the traditional “summer slide”—the phenomenon where students forget some of what they’ve learned during the long school holidays—was a consistent challenge. However, after implementing explicit instruction, the school noticed something extraordinary. “What we discovered last year, from 2023 to 2024, we didn’t have the so-called ‘summer slide,’” Webster said. Students returned to school with their knowledge intact, demonstrating stronger working memory and a greater ability to build on what they had learned. This retention of knowledge is a testament to the effectiveness of explicit instruction, which not only teaches students new skills but also helps them internalize and apply those skills over time.

Empowering Teachers, Enhancing Outcomes

The success of explicit instruction at Bethany Catholic Primary School is not limited to students; it has also had a profound impact on teachers. Webster noted that teachers are more confident in their ability to deliver lessons effectively, as they are seeing tangible improvements in their students’ performance. Explicit instruction provides a clear framework for teaching, allowing educators to focus on the specific skills and knowledge their students need to master. This structured approach reduces the guesswork often associated with traditional teaching methods, ensuring that every lesson is purposeful and aligned with student needs. The end result is a more motivated and effective teaching staff, who are empowered to make a real difference in the lives of their students.

Expert Insights: Why Explicit Instruction Works

The success of Bethany Catholic Primary School aligns with the findings of education experts, who have long championed the benefits of explicit instruction. Trisha Jha, a research fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies, is among those who have welcomed the school’s embrace of this approach. “I’m not surprised at all,” Jha said when asked about the improvements in numeracy and literacy proficiency. “Schools that have moved to this sort of approach have started to see results pretty quickly.” Jha explains that explicit instruction works because it is based on a simple yet powerful principle: carefully identifying what students need to know, breaking it down into accessible pieces, and providing ample opportunities for practice and reinforcement. This approach is consistent for all students, regardless of their background or prior skill level, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. By eliminating the variability that often exists in traditional teaching methods, explicit instruction creates a more level playing field for all students.

A System-Wide Shift: The Broader Impact of Explicit Instruction

The adoption of explicit instruction at Bethany Catholic Primary School is part of a larger movement within the Melbourne archdiocese schools. This system-wide shift towards explicit teaching has created a sense of consistency and coherence, both for students and teachers. Jha highlights that this approach is particularly important because it ensures that the quality of education is not dependent on individual schools or teachers. “That means that the quality of education starts to become even, rather than letting this be a school-based decision,” Jha said. Parents can now have greater confidence that their children will receive evidence-based, high-quality instruction regardless of which school they attend. The government’s recent decision to roll out explicit instruction more widely will only amplify this effect, ensuring that all students—whether in public or private schools—have access to the same proven teaching methods.

Conclusion: A Brighter Future for Education

The story of Bethany Catholic Primary School is a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of explicit instruction. By focusing on clear, structured, and supportive teaching practices, the school has achieved remarkable improvements in numeracy, literacy, and knowledge retention. These outcomes are not just about academic success; they represent a more equitable and inclusive education system, where every student has the opportunity to thrive. As schools across the country continue to embrace this approach, the future of education looks brighter than ever. The work of Principal Joanne Webster, her team, and education experts like Trisha Jha serves as a testament to the power of innovation and the enduring importance of providing every child with the tools they need to succeed.