Learning Support
The Support Department is committed to providing an inclusive and equitable education for students with a disability, as well as students with diverse educational needs.
Learning Support
The Support Department is committed to providing an inclusive and equitable education for students with a disability, as well as students with diverse educational needs. All students are provided with opportunities and experiences to develop their talents and capabilities and to experience life to the fullest.
The Support Department conducts Life Skills classes in Stages 4, 5 and 6, and students follow subjects that mainstream students undertake. Students attend excursions, camps, and retreats that are offered to mainstream students, along with the College Peer Support Program, Homeroom, and some Elective classes in Years 9 and 10. The Record of Student Achievement (RoSA) records completed Year 10 and Year 11 courses and is available to all Life Skills students.
The core value that exists in the Support Department is nurturing of the spiritual dimension of the students. Prayer, reflection and care for our environment are important aspects of spiritual growth and development. All students are encouraged to reach their full potential in all that they undertake. They are guided to develop their skills, and their wellbeing is paramount in the subjects that are undertaken. Stage 6 students participate in taster courses outside the College with a variety of post school providers. Year 12 students complete their education with a Higher School Certificate and can go on to complete TAFE courses or enrol in Post School Option placements.
No matter the journey that is undertaken, it is the role of the Support Department to foster and encourage lifelong learning and assist students to reach their desired goals in preparation for a life beyond the classroom.
Making up for Lost Time in Literacy
Accessing the curriculum with the necessary reading skills is important for secondary students. However, it is acknowledged that not all students arrive at high school with the reading skills needed to engage in academic learning.
At Holy Spirit College, students are carefully assessed through information provided by parents, observation, information from primary schools and screening tests designed to assess learning strengths and weaknesses. Careful consideration is taken in placing students who need support in an intensive reading program at the level at which they are operating.
The best intervention for improving student Literacy and Numeracy is effective teaching. MacqLit, an evidence-based, synthetic phonic reading program is run for students in need of an added boost to assist them to catch up to their age-related peers. This is undertaken by a specially trained Teacher-Assistant who also communicates with teachers about the progress of the students in the small groups. Parents also participate in the program through the support that they offer their child to assist in this extra reading boost.
In addition, Words their Way, an intensive word study program, is undertaken in all Year 7 & 8 English classes to boost students and assist them to comprehend the specialised vocabulary of the curriculum. All teachers are aware of the relationship between Literacy, Numeracy and Learning.
Staff development in Literacy For Learning has been offered to staff to allow them the specialised training needed to help students excel in the academic demands of their subject.
RESILIENCE INTEGRITY SPIRIT EXCELLENCE