Additional learning support
At our school, we ensure every student is ready to learn. We support students with disability and additional learning needs so they can take part in all areas of school life. You do not need a formal diagnosis for your child to receive support in a mainstream class. Support can begin at any stage of school.
Our School's Learning and Support Team
Our learning and support team helps make sure every student gets the help they need at the right time. The team works with families, teachers and support staff to:
- understand each student’s needs
- plan adjustments and supports
- monitor progress
- connect with other services if needed.
Our learning and support team includes:
- learning and support teachers (LaSTs)
- school learning support officers (SLSOs)
- school counsellors
- student support officers
- itinerant teachers for vision or hearing
- English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teachers
- Aboriginal education officers
- community and home school liaison officers
- small group tutors
- allied health specialists, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and behaviour therapists.
To support your child, the team will:
- get to know your child
- work with your child’s teachers to make sure your child’s additional learning and support needs are identified
- organise the planning process, and design the supports for your child
- work with the whole school community and other professionals to monitor progress and improve learning for all students
The learning and support team also assists in early intervention planning, processing and allocating resources.
Personalised learning and support helps a wide range of students with additional learning and support needs.
The learning and support team work in consultation with families and students to identify specific education needs and to determine the adjustments to meet them.
During the consultation meeting, the learning and support team will:
- discuss your child’s strengths, interests and areas of need with you
- help to explain what personalised learning and support for your child might look like
- consider documentation from health and other professionals (e.g., psychologists, speech pathologists, OTs, doctors) or NDIS plans
- discuss specific learning adjustments that could be made to support your child, for example to the curriculum, to learning resources, to the way the curriculum is taught, assessment, or your child’s classroom environment
- develop a personalised plan for your child’s learning and support, and
- suggest any support groups or external providers who may be able to support you and your child.
Supports that fits your child's needs
Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make support plans and adjustments that suit each child’s needs. Adjustments allow all students to access and participate in education on the same basis.
The school learning and support team assists teachers to meet the educational needs of their students and to identify appropriate adjustments that may be needed.
Adjustments made in consultation with a student and their parents and carers are based on the personalised needs of the student.
Consultations may also involve the principal, class and support teachers, professional therapists, and community service providers. Our school may also consult with specialist staff who can help to identify how adjustments can be made.
Curriculum and learning tasks
- Changes to the amount of lesson or unit content a student learns
- Extra time to complete tasks
- Adjusted worksheets or assessments
- Reworded or simplified tasks
- Extra guidance, simpler content, or a different learning focus during lessons
Learning materials
- Providing materials in digital formats
- Using braille or illustrated text
- Supplying alternative or adapted instructional resources
Learning environment
- Personalised or dedicated learning spaces
- Accessible classroom setups
- Use of assistive technology
- Use of sound field amplification systems
Teaching and support
- Teachers and support staff working collaboratively with families and students
- Specialist support for EAL/D learners
- Tailored programs for high-potential and gifted students
- Small-group tuition program for targeted literacy and numeracy support
- Internal Allied Health Programs such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Behaviour Therapy.
Assessment adjustments
- More time for assessments
- Simpler language used in tasks
- Scheduled breaks during assessments
- Alternative ways to demonstrate learning (e.g., oral presentations instead of written tasks)
The adjustments for your child will be regularly monitored, and revised from time to time as their needs change. They can be adapted or altered to meet your child's needs.
Any changes to these adjustments will be made with your input and collaboration. You have a vital role to play by taking part in discussions and planning with our staff.
Staff can check how well your child’s adjustments are working by looking at:
- progress notes kept by their teacher, specialist staff, or other professionals
- input from you and your child
- updates to your child’s health care plan, if they have one, made in collaboration with medical professionals
- records of any meetings held to review their adjustments
- data about their progress in assessments
- records of any adjustments made for them in assessment tasks
- the plan for your child’s personalised learning and support, if they have one.
If you think your child may need extra help, contact us.
Have a question about learning support?
We’re here to talk through your options. Contact us to speak with the principal or learning and support team.
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