EXPLAINED: Systematic Synthetic Phonics

Overview of this Blog:

As we head into 2025, Victoria is making significant changes to how phonics is taught, and it's leaving many parents and teachers wondering how to best support their young learners. This shift towards systematic synthetic phonics is designed to provide every child with the tools they need to succeed, but navigating these changes can be tricky.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from what phonics actually is to how it’s changing in Victorian schools. We’ll discuss how these updates affect students, and share practical tips for both parents and teachers on how to support children on their reading journey. Whether you’re a teacher preparing for classroom changes, or a parent wanting to help at home, you’ll leave with the knowledge and tools to confidently guide children through this new phonics era.

 

Table of Contents:

1. Phonics Basics: What is it?

2. What is 'Systematic' Phonics?

3. What is 'Synthetic' Phonics?

4. How Else is Reading Taught?

5. Phonics in 2025: What's Happening in Victoria?

6. How Do These Changes Affect Student?

7. What Does This Mean for Parents and Teachers?

8. How to Support Your Child's Phonics Journey in 2025. 

 

1. Phonics Basics: What is it?

If you’ve ever heard the term “phonics” and wondered what it actually means, you’re not alone. Simply put, phonics is a method of teaching kids to read by connecting sounds (phonemes) with letters (graphemes). It’s like giving children the key to unlock words by breaking them down into their sound parts. This method helps kids decode (break apart) unfamiliar words, by recognising the individual sound/letter components within a word, setting the foundation for solid reading skills.

2. What exactly is 'Systematic' Phonics?

Phonics, but with a plan! Systematic phonics is a structured approach to teaching reading, where the relationship between sounds and letters is taught in a specific, logical order. This means no guesswork for kids—each lesson builds on the last, giving them a clear path toward becoming fluent readers. It’s like taking kids on a step-by-step reading adventure!

3. So, What is 'Synthetic' Phonics?

Synthetic phonics is where things get really exciting! This method teaches kids to blend individual sounds together to form words. Instead of memorising whole words, children learn to “synthesise” or put together sounds. For example, they’ll learn the sounds /c/, /a/, /t/ and blend them together to read the word cat. It’s all about breaking words down into smaller chunks and then building them back up!

Important to Note: The Systematic Synthetic Phonics Approach has been used for many years to teach reading to those that suffer from learning difficulties.

4. How Else is Reading Taught?

While phonics is a superstar in the reading world, other methods have been used too. Some schools have traditionally used a whole-language approach, which encourages kids to recognise words as whole units instead of sounding them out. Others use a balanced literacy approach, which combines phonics with broader language exposure, like reading full texts early on.

These methods work for some children, but research shows that systematic synthetic phonics is a game-changer for most. This evidence-based approach to teaching reading is becoming increasingly popular amongst schools, with many now adopting this approach.

5. Phonics in 2025: What's Happening in Victoria?

Starting in Term 1, 2025, all public schools in Victoria, Australia will make the switch to systematic synthetic phonics for teaching reading. This approach will be mandatory for students in Prep to Grade 2 (ages 5-8) (Source: Premier.vic.gov.au).

Schools will need to provide a minimum of 25 minutes of daily phonics instruction, giving kids the strong foundation they need to thrive as young readers. The goal? To improve reading outcomes across the state, ensuring that every child—no matter their background—can read fluently and confidently.

6. How Do These Changes Affect Student?

For students, this change offers a more structured, clear approach to learning how to read. By focusing on phonics from the start, children will be better equipped to decode words, leading to improved comprehension and reading fluency. Struggling readers will receive the targeted support they need to catch up, and even confident readers will benefit from the clarity and consistency of a structured synthetic phonics program.

What’s really great is that this approach works for all students, regardless of their learning background. The explicit nature of synthetic phonics ensures that every child gets the foundational skills they need to succeed.

7. What Does This Mean for Parents and Teachers?

For teachers, this change means new resources, lesson plans, and training to help them master Systematic Synthetic Phonics. The government is making it a priority to reduce teacher workloads by providing ready-made, evidence-based teaching materials that will be rolled out across English, Mathematics, and eventually Science and Digital Technologies.

For parents, this could be a shift in how you see reading being taught. Gone are the days of memorising word lists; instead, you’ll see your child breaking words down into sounds and blending them back together. You’ll probably hear your little ones practicing sound patterns and playing with letters more than ever before!

8. How to Support Your Child's Phonics Journey in 2025.

As Victoria embraces systematic synthetic phonics, parents and teachers play crucial roles in ensuring kids thrive. Whether you're in the classroom or at home, here’s how you can help make phonics learning smooth and effective for every child.

• Integrate engaging resources: Phonics might be structured, but learning doesn’t have to be dull. Use a decodable readers program designed to align with the new phonics curriculum. ePlatform's Decodable Readers align with the new Victorian reading program— check out our Scope and Sequence to learn more.
• Daily practice with variety: Phonics in 2025 will require a minimum of 25 minutes of explicit instruction each day. Spice it up by incorporating group reading, sound-matching games, or decoding activities with books that captivate students’ imaginations. Each and every title from ePlatform's Decodable Readers includes phonics-based worksheets, games, partner/group activities, teaching tips, and more!
• Monitor progress carefully: Every child learns at their own pace. Use regular check-ins and encourage students to engage with books by reading stories that match their interests. ePlatform's Decodable Readers 10-levelled structure makes it easy for you to keep kids on track, without overwhelming them. Plus, pick from Fiction or Non-Fiction genres with topics to match their interests.

 

— Happy Reading!