Mary MacKillop Enhancement Centre

In 2009, 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.” This year, the staff included teachers: Mrs Jacinta Ryan, Mrs Gemma Austin, Ms Sandra Troise, Mr Euan Walmsley, Mrs Eve McLellan, Br Lawrence King, Br Ray Khan, Ms Angela Runci and Ms Rose Connelly; and integration aides: Mrs Karen Tillotson, Ms Carolyn Hamilton, Ms Jacqueline Irwin, Mrs Simone Hall, Mr Simon Lloyd, Ms Muriel West, Mrs Freda Siomos, Mrs Gillian Szegi, Ms Andrea Matthies and Ms Stella Angelico. These dedicated educators work 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 PSG meetings also occur for students who are identified with special needs. This year, the Literacy Support classes continued with four groups at Years 7, 8, 9, and 10, with a total enrolment of 96 students. These students have experienced the expertise of the MMEC teaching staff in assisting them to improve their literacy skills. The Numeracy Support Program which was initiated last year, continued throughout Years 7 and 8. Students who were nominated by their Maths teachers as needing assistance, and those identified through the Allwell testing, 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 program was delivered to a total of 42 students. In the Primary area, Mrs Gemma Austin again worked with small groups of students in the General Language Skills classes, to improve their literacy skills. This proved extremely successful and productive. All MMEC staff continued to assist the staff in the writing of Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) as this is 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 new teaching staff were facilitated by the MMEC staff throughout the year in the areas of modifying work tasks and exams, and writing ILPs. The ILPs 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 former Principal, Br Bill Firman, current Principal, Mr Peter Riordan, Deputy Principal, Mr Stephen Young, Head of Kinnoull, Mrs Sally Buick, Head of Tiverton, Mr John McAlroy, VELS Coordinator, Ms Sandra Troise, Year Level Coordinators, all teaching staff, Library and Information Technology staff, has been invaluable in encouraging and supporting 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: Angela Runci, Jacqueline Irwin, Freda Siomos, Gemma Austin, Stella Angelico, Simone Hall, Eve McLellan, Rose Connolly Seated: Jacinta Ryan, Br Ray Khan, Andrea Matthies, Kathie Holmes, Muriel West, Carolyn Hamilton, Euan Walmsley Absent: Karen Tillotson, Gillian Szegi, Simon Lloyd, Br Lawrence King, Sandra Troise