MultiLit has partnered with one of Victoria’s largest regional school systems as part of a transformative program that will see up to 20,000 students benefit from evidence-based literacy programs.
Catholic Education Sandhurst, which oversees more than 50 schools situated across central and northern Victoria, has introduced MultiLit’s evidence-based reading programs as part of its system-wide school improvement strategy, Magnify Sandhurst, from 2025.
All Sandhurst primary schools have rolled out MultiLit’s whole-classroom structured literacy program, InitiaLit, and intervention programs, MiniLit Sage and and MacqLit. Secondary schools also have access to MacqLit to support older low-progress readers.
MultiLit have supported Sandhurst schools to prepare and upskill for the shift by providing professional development workshops over recent months. The organisation will continue to support capacity building among education staff via ongoing tailored professional development opportunities and site visits to schools. Sandhurst teachers will also undertake further education in the Science of Reading through The Academy for the Science of Instruction and the Five from Five initiative.
MultiLit Managing Director Iain Rothwell said the partnership built upon the organisation’s already strong relationship with Catholic schools nationwide, with similar arrangements in place with Canberra Goulburn Catholic Schools, Catholic Education Tasmania, Catholic Education South Australia and the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools.
“For the past 30 years, MultiLit’s mission has been to ensure every child learns to read by translating the scientific evidence into high-quality and effective programs that explicitly teach the essential components of literacy,” Mr Rothwell said.
“As an organisation, MultiLit is uniquely positioned to support Catholic Education Sandhurst in its pursuit of a unified and consistent approach to literacy instruction across schools.
“Our knowledge and experience working with and supporting large systems and networks provides us with a deep understanding of the challenges and complexity involved with achieving system-wide change, and we are excited to partner with Sandhurst as it embarks on its school improvement program.”
Catholic Education Sandhurst Executive Director Kate Fogarty said MultiLit’s programs were already being used in several schools, producing positive learning outcomes.
“Magnify Sandhurst’ is set to transform learning for students across all our schools by embedding evidence-based and explicit teaching practices, providing greater consistency and a more predictable and effective educational experience,” Ms Fogarty said.