Mary MacKillop Enhancement Centre

Mary MacKillop Learning Enhancement Centre

In 2008, the staff of the Mary MacKillop Enhancement Centre [MMEC] have worked tirelessly and enthusiastically with students with special needs to assist them in accessing the curriculum. We believe that all students can experience success when learning outcomes are based on realistic and achievable goals. The words of our patron Blessed Mother Mary MacKillop echo the attitude and reflect the commitment of the MMEC staff, “We must teach more by example than by word.” (1867) This year, the staff included teachers: Mrs Jacinta Ryan, Mrs Gemma Austin, Ms Sandra Troise, Mr. Euan Walmsley, Mrs. Eve McLellan and Br. Lawrence King; and integration aides: Mrs Karen Tillotson, Mrs. Mary Thomas, Ms Carolyn Hamilton, Ms Jacqueline Irwin, Mrs Simone Hall and Mr Simon Lloyd. This team of dedicated educators works individually with students who have intellectual, social, emotional, physical or severe language needs, across all year levels, from Primary to Year 12. Each member of the team collaborates with staff and parents to identify and facilitate the individual learning needs of the students. Regular Program Support Group [PSG] meetings occur for students who qualify for Integration funding, where issues of academic planning and pastoral care are discussed with parents. Decisions from these meetings are implemented by MMEC staff, parents and teachers to enhance the students’ learning and maximise effective teaching. Many other PSGs also occur for students who are identified with special needs. This year, the Literacy Support classes continued in Years 9 and 10. Four groups at Years 7, 8, and 9, and 3 groups at Year 10, have operated throughout the year with a total enrolment of 97 students. These students have experienced the expertise of the MMEC teaching staff in assisting them to improve their literacy skills. A new initiative began this year when Br Bill endorsed a Numeracy Support Program. It was decided that students who were nominated by their Maths teachers as needing assistance, were given the opportunity to withdraw from one period of Religious Education each week to work with Br Lawrence to enhance their Maths skills. This pilot program was targeted at students in Years 7 and 8, of which a total of 49 students participated. In the Primary area, Mrs. Gemma Austin again worked with small groups of students in the General Language Skills classes, to help improve their literacy skills. This proved extremely successful and productive. All MMEC staff have participated in educating and assisting the whole staff in the writing of Individual Learning Plans (I.L.P.s) as this became a mandated directive from the Catholic Education Office for students who are funded under the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Program. Professional development and workshop sessions for the teaching staff were facilitated by the MMEC staff throughout the year in the areas of modifying work tasks and exams, and writing I.L.P.s. The I.L.P.s are written for each term and presented to the students’ parents at the PSG meetings for their input. The support and co-operation of the Principal, Br Bill, Deputy Principal, Mr Peter Riordan, Head of Kinnoull, Mr Stephen Young, Head of Tiverton, Mr John McAlroy, VELS Coordinator, Ms Sandra Troise, Year Level Co-ordinators, all teaching staff, Library and Information Technology staff, have been invaluable in encouraging the work of the MMEC staff. I wish to thank my fantastic team for their caring dedication, perseverance and professionalism as they continually work to enhance the lives of our students. Mrs Kathie Holmes MMEC Coordinator

Standing: Ms Carolyn Hamilton, Mrs Gemma Austin, Mr Euan Walmsley, Mr Simon Lloyd, Br Lawrence King, Ms Jacqueline Irwin Seated: Mrs Mary Thomas, Mrs Jacinta Ryan, Mrs Kathie Holmes, Ms Simone Hall, Mrs Karen Tillotson Absent: Ms Sandra Troise, Mrs Eve McLellan