|
|
Introduction
In line with its vision statement, St Joseph’s College recognises that all students have individual strengths and weaknesses. For some boys who fall within the criteria for gifted learners, greater challenges in learning will be required. For others, whose day-to-day learning is influenced by the existence of one or more difficulties or weaknesses, additional support is needed.
The role of Educational Support Services is to address the learning needs of any student facing individual challenges. The goal of the Educational Support Services team is to work collaboratively with teaching staff to provide a learning setting that acknowledges and supports individual needs through focused and targeted teaching.
Assistance and Support
Support is provided in a number of ways:
- Assessment to identify specific strengths and weaknesses.
- Planning appropriate learning programs and interventions based on assessment information, in partnership with subject teachers.
- Additional classroom assistance in the form of team teaching, or teacher aide support.
- Consultation with students, families and subject teachers about subject options and choices.
- Facilitating consistent and effective communication between parents/ guardians, teachers and students regarding ongoing learning goals.
- Monitoring the progress of students with individual needs across all subject areas and year levels.
Referral Process
- Any teacher with concerns about the progress of a student is encouraged to consult the relevant Homeroom teacher.
- Homeroom teachers will request feedback from other subject teachers, and may decide to complete a referral form requesting support from the Educational Support Services team. The Homeroom teacher will contact parents about this decision.
- The Educational Support Services team considers each referral, including the need for assessment, to determine the most appropriate means of support for the student in question.
- A process of identifying strengths/weaknesses and planning interventions/programs, is outlined, and recommendations implemented.
- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of recommendations and goals is carried out.
- At all stages of the referral process, communication is maintained with parents/guardians.
- Parents may initiate the referral process by contacting their son’s Home Room teacher.
Intervention Program
Some students meet the criteria for inclusion in the Commonwealth funded integration program. The six criteria for funded support are:
- Intellectual Disability
- Physical Disability
- Chronic Health Impairment
- Social/Emotional Disorder
- Severe Language Disorder
- Sensory Impairment (visual or hearing)
Once confirmed by professional assessment, a submission for integration funding is prepared by the Educational Support team, and forwarded to the Catholic Education Office in Melbourne. Closing dates for submissions are early October & early February.
Program Support Groups
Program Support Groups are sometimes established for students receiving additional support, but are mandatory for all students receiving integration funding. The main purpose of the Program Support Group is to facilitate communication and planning.
The group will generally include the following:
- Parents/guardians
- Home Room Teacher
- Principal or Deputy Principal
- Subject teachers (as needed)
- It may include external education and health professionals where relevant.
It is anticipated that a program support group will meet approximately once per term to monitor progress, discuss issues & concerns, and set goals for learning.
Resources
Educational Support Services currently includes the following personnel:
- Two teachers with qualifications and experience in the areas of special needs education, specializing in numeracy and literacy.
- Eleven teacher aides
- Two School Counsellors
When necessary, the Educational Support team may refer to a broad range of educational and health professionals to assist with diagnosis and planning. For example:
- Catholic Education Student Services (curriculum advisers, speech therapists
- visiting teachers, educational psychologists)
- Paediatricians
- Occupational Therapists
- Psychologists
- Counsellors
- Audiologists
- Speech Pathologists
|
|