Magnify Matters

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:
Why learning to read is a social justice issue, not an individual outcome.
What cognitive science tells us about how children learn to read and why the debate went on for so long.
Why the first three years of school matter more than any later intervention.
How strong Tier 1 instruction supports both learning and wellbeing.
The role of speech pathologists and interdisciplinary collaboration in schools.
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
Professor Pamela Snow
The Snow Report
The Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab
Magnify Sandhurst
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

Neuroscientist and educator Dr Jared Cooney Horvath returns to Magnify Matters for a fast, practical check-in on what lifts learning from knowledge-rich curriculum and whole-class instruction to cutting through the noise on EdTech.
In conversation with Tim Edwards (Catholic Education Sandhurst, Assistant Director: Learning & Teaching), Jared reflects on Sandhurst’s momentum since his three-day intensive earlier this year, and also previews his new book The Digital Delusion including that now-famous Hugh Grant blurb.
Together, Tim and Jared explore:
What knowledge-rich, low-variance looks like in real classrooms
Why whole-class instruction builds empathy, synchrony and deeper understanding
How background knowledge speeds new learning and boosts creativity
Practical ways to align teachers, students and parents around the same learning language
Where EdTech helps, where it harms, and how to keep people at the centre
What’s next for Magnify Sandhurst in 2026.

Whether you’re in the classroom or leading a school, this episode offers clear principles, memorable stories and next steps you can use tomorrow.
Now join us as we magnify what truly matters in education.
Mentioned in this episode
Magnify Sandhurst
Catholic Education Sandhurst
LME Global
The Digital Delusion

ABOUT DR JARED COONEY HORVATH
Dr Jared Cooney Horvath is a cognitive neuroscientist and educator with expertise in human learning, memory, and brain stimulation. He is the co-founder of LME Global, a company dedicated to bringing the Science of Learning to schools and learning communities worldwide. Jared has published four books, including the bestseller 'Stop Talking, Start Influencing', and has been featured in The New York Times, WIRED, and The Economist. Jared is passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory research and classroom practice, helping teachers and students achieve better outcomes through applied brain science.
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

Welcome back to Season 2 of Magnify Matters, as we explore what’s next for teachers and leaders as Magnify Sandhurst moves from launch to sustained impact.
In this episode, Kate Fogarty (Catholic Education Sandhurst Executive Director)and Tim Edwards (Catholic Education Sandhurst, Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching) look back on a big year and set the course for what’s next in Magnify Sandhurst.
From UK insights to local action, this episode maps how we "go hard, go early" and go together in 2026.
Together, Tim and Kate explore:
What we learned from visiting high-performing UK trusts
Why early identification and intervention matter
Writing, spelling and literacy priorities for 2026
Expanding Ochre beyond maths into science and strengthening a knowledge-rich pathway into secondary
What's ahead in 2026 including syste, wide oral language screening, a tiered wellbeing curriculum and explicit culture statement for Catholic Education Sandhurst.

Whether you’re in the classroom or leading a school, season two sets out the next steps for lifting learning across the Sandhurst Diocese.
Now join us as we magnify what truly matters in education.
Mentioned in this episode:
Magnify Sandhurst
Catholic Education Sandhurst
Classroom Mastery
Knowledge Society
Learning Made Easy
Steplab
Ochre
AERO reports

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 Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 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.

It’s been just six months but the impact of Magnify Sandhurst is already clear.
In this season finale of Magnify Matters, host Kate Fogarty (Catholic Education Sandhurst Executive Director) is joined by Tim Edwards (Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching) and Ashley Marsh (Assistant Director: School Improvement and Safeguarding) for a wide-ranging conversation on the progress of Magnify Sandhurst across Terms 1 and 2.
From the rollout of evidence-informed programs like MultiLit, Ochre and Classroom Mastery to the introduction of Steplab and the new Source of Life curriculum, this episode unpacks what’s working, what’s changing and what’s coming next.
We also look ahead to an exciting study tour to the UK, where Catholic Education Sandhurst will visit leading multi-school systems and trusts, gathering insight to shape the future of learning across our diocese.
In this episode, we explore:
How teachers and schools are engaging deeply with literacy, curriculum and coaching
The shift from lesson design to intellectual preparation
How low-variance practices are building consistency and connection
The early signs of student learner growth and why that matters
What Sandhurst hopes to learn from UK school systems in its next evolution

Whether you're a school leader, classroom teacher or parent curious about how system change actually works — this episode captures the momentum of Magnify and the shared commitment behind it.
Now stay with us as we magnify what truly matters in education.
Mentioned in this episode:
Magnify Sandhurst
Catholic Education Sandhurst
Classroom Mastery
Knowledge Society
Learning Made Easy
Steplab
Ochre

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 56 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 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.

What are school leaders noticing as Magnify Sandhurst comes to life in our schools and classrooms?
In this episode of Magnify Matters, host Tim Edwards, Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching at Catholic Education Sandhurst, sits down with Catholic Education Sandhurst Learning Leader Craig Simpson to reflect on the insights gathered from four school principals:
Lorraine Willis, Principal, Catholic College Wodonga
Matt Carver, Executive Principal, Saint Mary of the Angels College & St Francis Primary Nathalia
Jasmine Ryan, Principal, St Mary’s Primary Echuca
Alannah Darmody, Principal, St Liborius Primary Eaglehawk

Each principal shares how Magnify Sandhurst is unfolding in their school community – from clearer school expectations and positive routines to the growing impact of coaching and curriculum coherence.
In this episode, we explore:
How consistency is building momentum and confidence among teachers
What leaders are noticing as clarity and shared approaches take root
The shift from individual effort to collective practice
Why culture change is built through relationships and high standards
What’s next for 2025 and beyond

Whether you're teaching, leading, supporting system change, or listening in as a parent, this episode captures the early impact of Magnify Sandhurst from those closest to the work.
Now stay with us as we magnify what truly matters.
Mentioned in this episode:
Magnify Sandhurst
Catholic Education Sandhurst
Classroom Mastery
Knowledge Society
Learning Made Easy
Steplab
Ochre
Catholic College Wodonga
Saint Mary of the Angels College Nathalia
St Francis Primary Nathalia
St Mary’s Primary Echuca
St Liborius Primary Eaglehawk

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 56 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the...