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Learning Support
The Learning Support Programme caters for students who have been identified as having learning difficulties. These students may have been diagnosed learning disabilities or may be experiencing learning difficulties for a variety of reasons, whether physical, intellectual, social or emotional. The primary aim of the programme is to assist students in achieving to the best of their ability across the key learning areas. It also aims to improve each student’s self efficacy and self esteem.
Students receive one-on-one or small group assistance that is intensive and specifically designed to cater for individual needs. General aspects of the programme address elements such as effective time-management, organisation or work and resources, homework strategies, study techniques, research skills, deconstructing and scaffolding of tasks, notetaking, comprehension, and composition of written material. A variety of other processes and strategies are employed to cater to students’ specific requirements. The programme is delivered by a qualified secondary teacher and two retired teachers also assist as volunteers.
The Learning Support sessions take place within the normal timetable and session times are negotiated in consultation with the Director of Academic Services, the Learning Support Coordinator, parents and the student. The sessions cause minimal disruption to the student’s timetable and are permanent, weekly, timetabled sessions. The sessions are conducted in the College library where students have the advantage of constant access to the maximum number of resources.
The majority of students participate in the programme for the duration of the school year, however, individual progress may facilitate other arrangements. Parents receive regular ‘Progress Reports’ which provide feedback as to the progress of their daughters and are encouraged to maintain regular contact with the Learning Support teacher.
The Learning Support teacher works in collaboration with each student’s subject teachers and positively advocates for all students in the programme. The Learning Support teacher also assists and encourages teachers to develop modified activities and strategies for students with conditions that require modification of course content, methods of delivery, and modes of assessment.
An additional aspect of the Learning Support Programme is the ‘Homework Class’ that is conducted in the College library for an hour after school. Any student who requires additional assistance with homework is invited to attend. A Maths teacher and an English teacher are available for specialised assistance at each session, and this year the classes run on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Students are encouraged to attend on a regular basis, however, it is not compulsory to attend every session.
FLIP (Functional Literacy Intervention Programme) is a programme within the Learning Support Programme that has been running since 2008. It addresses the needs of an identified group of Year seven, eight and nine students who have literacy deficits and are experiencing problems with their academic progress. Further information about this programme is also available on the Mercedes College website.
Programme Coordinator |