SPECIALISTS

                                                  ART

We are looking forward to an amazing year in Art. This year, we are focusing on POP Art & Street Art in Term One, Steampunk in Term Two, Textiles in Term Three and Paint, Printmaking and Collage in Term Four. 

                                                SCIENCE

Science in 2024 is focusing on Physical Science in Term One, Biological Science in Term Two, Earth & Space Science in Term Three and Chemical Science in Term Four.

                                                 LEARNING DIVERSITY

What is Learning Diversity?

Diversity encompasses a broad range of learners, considering cultural, academic, social-emotional, and physical attributes, recognizing that these aspects are interconnected. The term 'learning diversity' signifies the endless variety of life experiences and attributes a child brings to their formal education. Educators aim to address the needs of all learners, ensuring that each student achieves success. While this objective is common among all educators, Catholic educators perceive each student as a sacred creation, reflecting the belief that every individual is 'made in the image of God' (Genesis 1:27). This perspective emphasises the idea that all students should actively participate as integral members of their school community, with the collective responsibility for their learning shared among all professionals in the school.

Catholic schools embody learning diversity through an inclusive pedagogy and a dedication to ensuring the rights of all individuals, including the right to:

• Be welcomed
• Be valued
• Be acknowledged
• Actively engage in education.

How does St Mary's embrace Learning Diversity?

St Mary's Primary School has a Learning Diversity Leader, Katherine Jamieson, who oversees the school's learning diversity program. 

The program involves the full spectrum of a child's time at the school, from assistance in transitioning to school, assisting with referrals for assessments, additional classroom support, regular parent meetings, learning intervention programs, speech therapy through Catholic Education Sandhurst, through to transitioning into secondary school.

The school keeps comprehensive and ongoing records of each student and their academic development. These records enable the school to secure additional funding, which is then used to support the implementation of this school-wide program. This encompasses extra resources, additional classroom assistance facilitated by Learning Support Officers (teacher's aides), and the implementation of specific programs.

St Mary’s has access to a speech therapist and psychologist, through Catholic Education Sandhurst, who support students and teachers in these areas. 

At St Mary’s we aim to:

• Promote and recognize positive, respectful, and inclusive collaborations between children, their families, and our school.
• Ensure that all students have equitable access to education through Quality Differentiated Teaching Practice and additional adjustments to learning.
• Deliver focused and personalised learning tailored to meet students' individual needs.
• Facilitate and coordinate appropriate referrals to services both within and outside the school.
• Meet the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) guidelines for students with additional learning needs or disability.

If you have any questions regarding Learning Diversity, please contact Katherine Jamieson at kjamieson@smrushworth.catholic.edu.au.