Learning Support
St Mary's Cathedral College has a strong commitment to successful learning for all students. As part of this underlying ethos, the College provides Learning Support in a variety of forms and for different groups of students. Specialist Learning Support staff – both teachers and a teacher’s aide - assist students with their learning needs across all Key Learning Areas. This enables access for our students, one vital component of their achieving to the best of their ability.
Support takes a variety of forms and is provided in tandem with on-going collaboration with Year Co-ordinators, subject teachers and parents. Our Regional CEO Consultants also provide expertise and consultation for our staff and parents as needed.
Having identified a student’s support need, a teacher refers the student through the boy’s Year Co-ordinator to Learning Support. At this point the team will interview and assess the boy, using a range of assessment strategies. In-class observations form an important part of this approach and supports Year 7 students in-particular who have come from a support program in Year 6.
One of the team will then organize to work with the student – in class, in 1:1 ‘tutorial work and /or in a small group. This variety of approaches allows us to tailor the support to the individual boys.
In 2009, Learning Support programs will include:
- in-class support for students and their teachers.
- collaboration with parents.
- referral for further assessment.
- 1:1 and small group assistance..
- Support for student applications to the Board of Studies for Examination Special Provisions.
- ‘Mentored’ reading for Year 7 boys with Year 10 on 3 mornings each week.
The school also provides Years 11 & 12 Literacy Support, Study Skills and organization workshops through other programs.
