The Learning Support team addresses the needs of all students through initiation, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of educational programs. The main role of the Learning Support team is to ensure the needs of all students are being met through universal, targeted or intensive programs. This is done through collaboration between staff, parents and students.
Referral Process
Parents with concerns for their child/children should talk to the class teacher first. After initial discussions teachers or parents can then refer any concerns to the Assistant Principal or Learning Support team. The Deputy Principals and the Principal can also support you in regard to your child once other avenues have been contacted. In an emergency or situations where it is not appropriate to talk to the class teacher or Assistant Principal then you can contact the office or senior executive.
When teachers are concerned about a child, a referral will be submitted to the Learning Support Team. The team will then decide on the most beneficial path for the child based on their individual needs.
Support Staff
- Counsellor: Ms Tina Harris and Mr Tomas Mendiolea are our school counsellors and are available for student support and assessment. Referrals can be made by parents, teachers or students by appointment through the school office.
- Wellbeing Officer: Ms Lizzie Doye is our Wellbeing Officer who is available for one-on-one student support or small group support two days each week. Main focus areas include anxiety, social skills and self-esteem. Referrals can be made by parents or teachers by appointment through the Learning Support team and Learning Support, Assistant Principal, Mrs Anneliese Dennis.
- Learning Support Teacher: Mrs Marissa Crane provides intervention and support for students experiencing difficulties in Literacy and Numeracy. The Learning Support program involves small group educational programs and parents are informed before inclusion of their child in one of these programs.
- SLSOs: School Learning Support Officers work under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher. They provide assistance to students with disabilities and additional learning and support needs. They can provide assistance with school routines, class activities and support of students.
Support Programs
As well as having a School Counsellor, Wellbeing Officer and SLSOs we have other support programs in place for our students.
- Theragames: The SLSOs work with small groups of identified students during recess and lunch times using theragame activities which support students with social, emotional and behavioural issues.
- MultiLit: These evidence-based programs support low-progress readers from a range of grades. They provide intensive, structured, small group or one to one instruction incorporating a range of skills which may include; phonics, decoding, sight or tricky words, reading fluency, spelling, vocabulary and comprehension. Learning support programs at Randwick currently use Minilit Sage, Macqlit and the Reading Tutor Program, dependent on the age, grade and progress of the reader.
- PLSPs: Personalised Learning and Support Plans (PLSPs) supports a wide range of students with additional learning and support needs. Personalised learning and support is underpinned by evidence of four key elements or areas of activity:
- The assessed individual education needs of the student
- The provision of adjustments or support to meet the students’ assessed needs
- Monitoring and review of the impact of the adjustment/support being provided
- Consultation and collaboration of teachers with parents, support staff and other professionals where required.
Outside Support
- Benevolent Society Child, Youth and Family Program: Case management, family preservation and restoration, play and chat sessions, volunteer home visiting.
- CaFE: Child and Family East at Sydney Children’s Hospital provides services for children who are adapting to changes and managing difficulties such as anxiety, attention difficulties, behavioural disturbances, family changes, illness, death/trauma, depression and school.
- Tumbatin: Situated at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick provides comprehensive diagnostic assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), involving a multidisciplinary team (ie doctor, psychologist and/or social worker, speech pathologist, occupational therapist). Assessment of ASD involves a diagnostic and developmental interview with parents and consultation with other health, early education and school professionals.
General Information
There is an overwhelming amount of information on the internet about diagnosis and learning difficulties/support. A great place to start is the Sydney Children’s Hospital Fact Sheet page.