After months of planning, MultiLit is excited to share the first images of our newest location, opening this month in Fortitude Valley. Reflecting our mission to ensure every child learns to read, the MultiLit Brisbane Centre will support our growing network of Queensland schools and students and give more families direct access to evidence-based programs that work.
Ahead of the launch, we spoke to Managing Director Iain Rothwell, Fortitude Valley Literacy Centre Manager Vikki Eschler, and Monica Wright, General Manager, Queensland, about this important new centre and what this means for Queensland educators and families.
Meeting the needs of all Queensland schools and students
“We are delighted to open the new MultiLit Brisbane Centre,” says Iain, adding that the move is a response to significant growth in demand from Queensland schools and parents seeking out our literacy services.
“The new Brisbane Centre allows us to enhance the support and engagement with Queensland schools and learners, as well as ensuring our programs and services meet the needs of all Queensland schools and students.”
“Expanding our physical presence reflects the value schools and educators in Queensland place on research-led programs, underpinned by a rapidly growing student demographic.”
Iain says the team of knowledgeable literacy experts at the Brisbane Centre will do more than implement and support our programs.
“The Queensland team will contribute to program development, research and trialling, allowing the Brisbane Centre to be a major source of future MultiLit innovation for schools across Australia.”
What to expect
The MultiLit Brisbane Centre, located on Gregory Terrace in Fortitude Valley, is a bright and inviting space, featuring murals and artwork celebrating illustrations from MultiLit publications, including Putto Press picture books.
“We are hoping to create an atmosphere that inspires a love of literacy and a culture that feels warm and supportive for all those who come here, as well as our team,” says Vikki.
The new centre has been designed to foster learning and accommodate the needs of all students, educators and families. There are 11 tutor bays, four assessment booths, a training room facility for large group professional development sessions, meeting rooms and social spaces.
Evidence-based literacy instruction and support
For Monica Wright, General Manager, Queensland, being an educator is about making a difference in the lives of students and helping them succeed regardless of circumstances.
“Teachers make a significant impact on students’ lives by teaching reading effectively,” she says. “Being able to read and write allows for meaningful participation in the world. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
Schools are reporting large numbers of students struggling with reading.
“Queensland teachers, literacy leaders and school principals want to know how to support a shift toward effective, evidence-based reading instruction,” says Monica. “This is where MultiLit can help.”
MultiLit also provides comprehensive professional development and tailored advisory support for Queensland schools implementing our programs.
“Having MultiLit on the ground in Queensland, working in partnership with schools, means that more teachers are provided with the resources and knowledge required to achieve our critically important goal of ensuring all students learn to read,” says Monica. “This is fantastic news for Queensland students!”
“MultiLit provides Queensland schools with the resources and training to provide effective assessment and intervention. We are equipping educators to teach using methods known to have the greatest impact. It is a privilege to work in partnership with Queensland schools and school leaders to support all students to crack the code of reading.”
Further helping to support specific curriculum needs, Monica says a product development team has been appointed to work on a range of new programs and resources from our Brisbane centre. “The future looks bright, so watch this space!”
Fortitude Valley Literacy Centre
Parents concerned about their child’s progress in reading can now access intensive and systematic reading instruction through our Fortitude Valley Literacy Centre, located in the MultiLit Brisbane Centre. The programs can address specific needs in reading accuracy, fluency, comprehension and spelling, based on individual needs. Following an assessment and development of a tailored program, our tutors will deliver one-on-one sessions with students, weekly throughout the school term or daily over the school holidays for intensive tuition to boost reading skills.
“Our team comes from various backgrounds with different experiences in educational settings, yet we have a shared passion for encouraging and developing literacy skills in others. We look forward to welcoming families and working with them to support the development of their children’s literacy skills,” says Vikki Eschler.
No matter where you are based in Queensland, you can now gain support from your local MultiLit centre, with programs offered in-person at the Fortitude Valley location or online via videoconferencing.
MultiLit Fortitude Valley Literacy Centre
contact us by email below or call 07 2139 8855.