Community

Monkeying around with literacy

By Pip Turton

Jul 1, 2025

Foundation student Natania Daperoc with Milo the monkey. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Foundation students at St George's Road Primary School celebrated their literacy achievements with a special birthday party for their learning companion, Milo the Monkey, on Friday, June 27.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The celebration marked the students' progress in the Little Learners Love Literacy program, where Milo plays a crucial role in teaching phonics and helping children understand how letters form words.

“Milo's story uses simple sentences made up of sounds the children have already learned, helping them practise blending and decoding in a fun, confidence-building way,” said St George's Road Primary School librarian Margaret Stothart.

Students dressed up in animal costumes for the occasion and participated in various party activities, including crafts and cooking.

The character-based learning approach has proven successful in keeping young students engaged, with Milo becoming a beloved figure in the classroom.

The birthday celebration served as both a reward for the students' hard work and a demonstration that learning can be enjoyable and meaningful.