Kristie O'Neill

Hello, I'm Kristie O'Neill, Director, Literacy and Numeracy.

Dr Paul Wood

And I'm Paul Wood, Executive Director, Teaching and Learning Support. We're proud to welcome you to Literacy and Numeracy Week 2025, a celebration of the work we all do to support student learning across NSW. It reflects the goals of the department's Plan for Public Education, a commitment to delivering a world-class education for every student in every community.

Kristie O'Neill

This week is an opportunity to shine a light on the incredible work happening every day, in early childhood settings, schools, and communities, to build the literacy and numeracy skills of our students.

Dr Paul Wood

Literacy and numeracy are life skills. Literacy helps us to communicate, to understand others, to share our stories, and to make sense of the world through language.

Kristie O'Neill

And numeracy gives us the confidence to problem solve, make informed decisions, and engage the world in logical and meaningful ways. These skills form the foundation of learning across all subjects, and they're essential for participation in work, further study, and everyday life.

Dr Paul Wood

Strong literacy and numeracy skills help children and young people think critically, question deeply, and create boldly. They empower students to take ownership of their learning and their future.

Kristie O'Neill

And the journey begins early, in early childhood and school aged care environments where children explore, question, play, and learn in rich, engaging ways. Literacy and numeracy is everywhere. It's in a storybook, a recipe, a puzzle, or a conversation.

Dr Paul Wood

This week is also a reminder of the powerful role that teachers, leaders, and support staff play in creating those moments of connection. The spark that inspires a love of reading, the confidence to explore patterns and numbers, or the joy of writing for a purpose.

Kristie O'Neill

And at the heart of it all is explicit teaching where teachers clearly model, guide, and scaffold learning, so that every student knows what they're learning, why it matters, and how to succeed. It's one of the most effective ways we can build strong foundations and close learning gaps.

Dr Paul Wood

And as part of that, differentiation plays a vital role, adjusting instruction to meet individual learning needs, so that every student can access the learning and be challenged at their level.

Kristie O'Neill

We encourage you to explore the Literacy and Numeracy Week 2025 web page where you'll find a wide range of resources, classroom activities, and events to support your celebrations and teaching.

Dr Paul Wood

It's a space where we highlight the incredible efforts across the state and where students and educators alike can engage, reflect, and celebrate.

Kristie O'Neill

Together, let's continue building strong foundations, opening doors, and creating possibilities for every student through the power of literacy and numeracy.