Learning Diversity
“ ‘Learning diversity’ refers to the infinite variety of life experiences and attributes a child brings to their formal learning at school. 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 difference and providing educational opportunities aimed at eliminating discrimination and focused on growth and progress for all.”
(Excerpt taken from CECV Horizons of Hope Foundation Statement: Learning Diversity in Catholic Schools, 2017)
At St Joseph’s we recognise that sometimes a student’s academic, physical or social and emotional learning needs can be very different from those of their peers. These differences may relate to:
- cultural background
- socio-economic status
- learning needs
- exceptional ability
- physical, cognitive, social and emotional or sensory disability.
We value a collaborative approach to student learning and seek effective ways to meet the needs of all learners, so that every student can experience success. The curriculum is differentiated in each classroom to cater for the individual needs and abilities of all students.
The Learning Diversity Leader works in collaboration with classroom teachers to develop Individual Learning Plans for students who require additional support academically, physically, socially or emotionally. Program Support Teams, including teachers and parents, meet regularly to develop, implement and monitor the Individual Learning Plan for students as required. (More information can be found in the policy linked below)
Intervention programs further assist identified students across the school. Members of the Intervention team work collaboratively with classroom teachers and parents/carers to design and implement intervention that is based on relevant student assessments, is research-based and targets the specific need of the student. Intervention programs are in addition to explicit classroom teaching practice and are designed to provide supplementary exposure to students in a structured and scaffolded manner, ensuring students are provided with multiple exposures and frequent opportunities to develop their skills and build confidence in their abilities.
Intervention can take place in a one on one setting, in a small group or within the classroom and can include short sprints or longer structured sessions. Intervention is facilitated by our trained and experienced team of LSOs/intervention staff, and supported by our Learning Diversity and Curriculum leaders.
Some of the intervention programs utlised at St Joseph's include:
- Literacy (Prep - Year 6 unless otherwise specified)
- Years 1-4: One on one MSL intervention (Multisensory Structured Language) with a trained MSL teacher
- Years 1-2: MiniLit Sage
- Years 3-6: MacqLit
- Fluency and Decoding intervention using resources from MSL, Little Learners Love Literacy and Mini/MacqLit
- Comprehension and Language support
- Spelling intervention/Spelling Mastery
- Sentence Sense (Writing)
- Maths
- Prep-Year 2: LFIN (Learning Framework in Number)
- Years 3-6: Maths Intervention focusing on Big Ideas and number fluency
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Social Skills (1:1 and small group)
- Years 4-6: Secret Agent Society program supported by a trained LSO
At St Joseph's we work hand in hand with parents and families, as well as external services such as psychologists, speech pathologies, occupational therapists etc. Consultants from the Catholic Education Office such as Speech Therapists, Educational Psychologists and Curriculum Advisors can also provide advice on the implementation and monitoring of students with an Individual Learning Plan.