“In a diverse classroom, the magic happens when we stop trying to make every child fit the same key and start celebrating that they are all different locks, waiting for their unique key to be found.”
St. Brendan’s school endeavours to provide opportunities that enable all students to develop physically, intellectually, morally, socially, emotionally and spiritually in a safe and secure environment. All students with diverse learning needs have a right to access a full and engaging education on the same basis as their peers. Catholic schools seek to empower learners by celebrating differences and providing educational opportunities aimed at eliminating discrimination and focused on growth and progress for all. At St. Brendan’s it is our commitment to provide personalized support to all students who present with varying abilities, including students with disability (diagnosed or imputed) and gifted/talented students. We recognise that sometimes a student’s academic, physical or social and emotional learning needs can be very different from those of their peers and these differences may relate to:
∙ cultural background
∙ socio-economic status
∙ learning needs
∙ exceptional ability
∙ physical, cognitive, social and emotional or sensory disability
A student’s learning needs may be deemed to be very different from their peers if they are performing 12 -18 months or more below or above the expected level in accordance with the current state curriculum standards or if their individual needs fall under the definition of disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and there is a functional impact on the student’s education.
The emphasis at St. Brendan’s will be on primary prevention and early intervention, with the tiers of support outlined below:
Prevention: Promoting resilience and capacity building
- Personal and Social Capabilities curriculum, Victorian curriculum
- Anti-Bullying and Cyber safety units of work (Say No to Bullying!)
- Mindfulness meditation
- Circle Time
- Yoga Program
- Behaviour Support Policy
- Safety Plans
- School Leaders – Year 6
- SRC F-6
- Respectful Relationships Program
- Student Voice Team Year 5/6 (RRRR)
- House Spirit Program
- Quiet Area daily activities
- Library lunchtime sessions
- Year 6 and Foundation Buddies Program
- Gardening Program
- Transition Program
- Involvement of parents/carers
- Parent/carers Information Sessions/Termly level updates
- Extracurricular programs
- Interschool Sports Program Year 5/6
Early Intervention: Promoting skill development and identifying risks
- Learning Diversity Leader facilitates PLT outlining intervention model at St Brendan’s/handbook Term 1
- LDL oversees the St Brendan’s NCCD/SWAN’s portal
- Student Learning Team x 3 teachers provided support
- One on one/group meetings with SWB Leader/LDL Leader/Literacy/Numeracy Leaders
- LDL attends year level team meetings x 2 term/or when needs arise
- SWB meetings to address SEL matters throughout the school(fortnightly)
- Parent Meetings/Phone call communication/email – ongoing practise
- Monitoring and addressing playground incident – Behaviour Tracking Sheet
- Monitoring and addressing Classroom incident – Behaviour Tracking Sheet
- Monitoring school attendance
- Monitoring academic performance/SEL concerns
Intervention: Specialized, targeted support
- ROSAE Consultation Process- MACS
- School based Speech Therapist x 2 days weekly
- Student Learning Team x 3 teachers provided support
- Teacher/LSO/Student support with Learning Diversity Leader
- Personalized Learning Plans (PLP)
- SMART Goal Planners
- Program Support Group (PSG) meetings
- Outside agencies, such as SCOPE/DHHS/OZ Child/Orange Door
- Liaise with MACS Learning Enhancement Leaders
- Liaise with External Specialist Providers-OT/Speech/Physiotherapists/Psychologists providing onsite support (NDIS/private)
- LSO Team meet fortnightly with Learning Diversity Leader/whole school allocation timetable for support in classrooms from F-6