Literacy is not a matter of luck, postcode or chance; it’s a matter of equity, access and social justice.

In this episode of Magnify Matters, Distinguished Professor Pamela Snow, one of Australia’s leading voices in literacy, language and the science of learning, joins Tim Edwards (Catholic Education Sandhurst Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching) for a conversation about what it takes to ensure every child learns to read well.

Pam reflects on the personal, professional and research journey that has shaped her national leadership in literacy, from speech pathology and brain injury rehabilitation to her advocacy for evidence-informed reading instruction and the establishment of La Trobe University’s SOLAR Lab.

As a trusted contributor to early Magnify Sandhurst conversations, Pam helps connect decades of research to the lived realities of classrooms, teachers and systems working to lift learning outcomes for every student.

In this episode, Tim and Pam explore:

1. Why learning to read is a social justice issue, not an individual outcome.
2. What cognitive science tells us about how children learn to read and why the debate went on for so long.
3. Why the first three years of school matter more than any later intervention.
4. How strong Tier 1 instruction supports both learning and wellbeing.
5. The role of speech pathologists and interdisciplinary collaboration in schools.
6. Why lifting teacher expertise lifts the profession itself.

Whether you’re teaching in the early years, leading a school, shaping system-wide improvement or supporting learning at home, this episode offers clear principles, grounded insight and a strong case for doing fewer things — better — for every learner.

Now stay with us as we magnify what truly matters in education.

Mentioned in this episode

1. Professor Pamela Snow
2. The Snow Report
3. The Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab
4. Magnify Sandhurst
5. Catholic Education Sandhurst

ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST

Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.

ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across rural and regional Victoria, educating more than 15,490 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story.

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.