The Learning Page

How We Support Children

In our previous iNewsletter, we shared how we enhance the learning of high-ability students in and out of the classroom. Equally important is our support of students who find the curriculum more challenging than their peers. It is important to note that students can fall into both categories. As an example they may have high abilities in Mathematics but find P.E. particularly difficult.

Many of the practices shared previously are also relevant for students requiring support. These include: 

• Documented adjustments for students requiring support and extension in every lesson plan. 
• Digital learning programs to work at the individual level of every child. 
• Work shared openly during Family Fridays and on Seesaw with feedback given fortnightly in Prep - Year 3 so that parents can see what their child is engaging with in class.
• A learning partnership with AERO (Australian Education Research Organisation) where a coach works at SMPS to support staff in delivering lessons that align with research of how students learn best.

Our teachers use assessments, data and their observations of students to predict and plan for students who will need support in lessons. They are also skilled in checking for understanding throughout lessons. This allows them to look out for confused little expressions, incorrect responses or other indicators that a child may be unexpectedly struggling with a topic.

When a child is consistently experiencing difficulties, they may require more support than a teacher is able to provide whilst instructing the rest of the class. This is why we provide a Learning Intervention program. Our Learning Intervention program was running for students in Years 3 and 5 for one day a week in Term 1. For the rest of the year, Learning Intervention is running for 3 days a week. Students have been carefully selected for this support. They work in small groups with a highly experienced teacher daily during school hours, following evidence-based approaches. Each group has goals that they are working towards and will undertake assessment on a very regular cycle to monitor their progress. We understand that missing lessons to take part in Learning Intervention can be difficult for some children. Where possible, sessions are timetabled so that students don't miss the same class every day. Teachers work with the Learning Intervention Teacher to ensure students don't miss out on big events such as excursions or in-visits.

Learning Intervention in Terms 2 and 3 is focussed predominately on students in Years 2 and 4, in both English and Mathematics. The families of students who have been selected will be contacted in the coming week.

Students who continue to experience difficulties after Learning Intervention may be eligible for individual support. On the next page, you will find information about NDIS funding which has been a huge support for many of our students. Our Wellbeing Team also oversee individual funding for students with disabilities who qualify for more intensive support.

Supporting all students to progress is fundamental to our work at SMPS. If you have questions about how your child is being supported in class, please reach out to your child's teacher.