MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FACULTY

Learning Support Programs
We are currently developing and extending our learning support programs in the School in order to focus more closely on the individual needs of our students. Programs operate within the timetabled classroom, as well as on a withdrawal basis, and support a large number of students in some way.

In the Junior School the Differentiation Program, in English and Integrated Studies, will continue to be strengthened over the year. Our new Academic Enrichment and Learning Support teacher, as well as our enrichment trained teachers, will work alongside the classroom teacher to develop differentiated activities for the students. This program is supported by extension and enrichment in our streamed classes for primary Mathematics and by special in-class groupings in core subjects for Junior Primary students.

Students are offered a differentiated approach to their learning in the Senior School. This approach operates in varying degrees in many elective subjects, through the learning processes offered and the types of product students create. A particular focus in all curriculum areas will be on the development of higher order thinking skills. Years 7 and 8 English and Year 7 Science teachers continue to differentiate teaching and learning in their modified mixed ability classrooms this year. Mathematics in the Senior School takes a streamed approach to address the varying needs of our students.

The core Extension and Enrichment Program will begin shortly in the junior secondary years, to complement the other learning support programs already in existence. The program will operate slightly differently between the core subjects of English, Maths and Science, but all will offer extension and/or enrichment activities. Students are invited to join extension and enrichment groups depending on school ability testing, performance in predetermined activities and teacher input, for each unit of work in a course.

Further, the MindMax Program is being redeveloped to become a program for a very small number of highly able students in each cohort from Years 3 to 8 who have exceptionally specialised needs. These students make up, on average, about 2% of the student population. Criteria for entry will be common throughout the School. In conjunction with Bronwyn McLeod, our Gifted and Talented consultant, we are currently evaluating the battery of instruments to be used to determine the students in need of this specialised program. The MindMax Program will be divided into three sections and, as the identification process is completed, the Years 3 to 4, Years 5 to 6 and Years 7 to 8 sections of the program will begin. It is a withdrawal program.

The School continues to offer our other learning support programs which include ESL, Communications, Study Skills, Support for Senior Studies, Independent Education Programs for students with a disability and modified packages for students with particular talents.

Jennie Harris
Director of Faculty

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