Supporting Student Learning
Catholic College employs a wholistic approach for supporting student
learning. For students are to reach their potential as learner, they
must be supported by programs that take into account their social and
emotional well-being.
Homebase
Learning Mentors
Special Needs
Gifted and Talented Education
Well-being and Counselling
For more information about supporting student learning contact the
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Homebase System
At Catholic College all students belong to a Homebase group. The Homebase system provides a way of belonging and connectedness to a smaller community within a larger school community. Each Homebase is comprised of students from Years 7-12 and a Homebase Tutor. Students meet with their Homebase group and Homebase Tutor on a daily basis. Homebase provides groupings for peer support and allows multi-age groups to work together to build social and emotional resilience.
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Learning Mentor
A Learning Mentor system is being introduced in 2010. This initiative is based on sound educational research which demonstrates a need for teachers to know their students as learners. The learning Mentor program will provide the opportunities to develop an understanding of the strong links between learning, well-being and resilience.
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Special Needs
The needs of most students can be catered for in mainstream classroom programmes. However, sometimes a student may have needs that require the modification of curriculum. These needs could be short term or ongoing. To best meet these needs, the College provides:
- Special programmes;
- Classroom support;
- Adapted curriculum;
- Small group tutoring;
- Use of specialized equipment;
- One to one assistance;
- Case management.
Integration
Some students can attract funding to assist with the provision of these supports in the following categories:
- Intellectual Disability
- Physical Disability
- Hearing Impairment
- Vision Impairment
- Social/ Emotional Disability
- Chronic Health Condition
- Severe Language Disorder
It is important that the Special Education Leader is contacted as early as possible to discuss and plan for students who may be eligible for integration funding.
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Gifted and Talented Education
The Gifted and Taleted Education (GATE) Program is a withdrawal program that allows student learning to be extended, enriched and enhanced. Whilst Catholic College endeavours to provide challenging and engaging curriculum within the classroom setting, we also recognise that some students require further extension and the GATE program provides for this by offering weekly withdrawal. During this time students are challenged to extend their knowledge in a variety of ways through both self-directed and guided projects and they are simultaneously encouraged to explore the complexities of intelligence on a social/emotional level.
In GATE students learn about metacognition and work to understand and better utilise their learning strengths. Students are extended in all core areas of education and demonstrate their knowledge through a variety of diverse means such as creating hands-on learning models, dioramas, and films to allow them to be extended academically in a purposeful manner. They also work on essential skills such as writing for a purpose, editing and logic. Given the nature of the program, GATE is continuously evolving as different students bring different skills to the program.
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Well Being & Counselling
The Well Being Team at Catholic College provide a number of services to support students in their learning and relationships at school. Our aim is to strengthen the well being of the members of the school community, to ensure teaching and learning can be enhanced. Some of the ways we do this are by running educative programs across a number of topics, providing support to students with a wide variety of issues, providing counseling, providing support to staff in managing student behaviours, mediation services for resolving conflict, and support for families who are experiencing difficulty. We can also put members of our school community in touch with a wide variety of services available in our wider community.
The Well Being Team can be contacted directly by phone or email. Students are welcome to drop in to the Well Being Office at any time, and parents are welcome to ring and/or make an appointment to see a member of the Well Being Team.
Who is the Wellbeing Team?
- Louise Symons and Christopher Barnes are the Well Being Team Leaders. They are generally your first point of contact with the Well Being Team.
- Cassie Brown is a Psychologist who works with students and families, and is available for referal from Louise or Christopher.
- Sandie McKoy is the Career Education and Development Leader and works in conjunction with the Well Being Team.
The Well Being Team also provide information and resources to students and families. Please visit <link to NEWS> to access this information.
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