Mary MacKillop Enhancement Centre

In 2010, the staff of the Mary MacKillop Enhancement Centre (MMEC) have worked persistently and enthusiastically with students with special learning 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, St Mary of the Cross, 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, Mrs Eve McLellan, Mrs Carmel Dwyer, Br Lawrence King; and Learning Support Officers: Mrs Karen Tillotson, Ms Carolyn Hamilton, Ms Jacqueline Irwin, Mrs Esther Gmelig, Mr Simon Lloyd, Ms Muriel West, Mrs Freda Siomos, Mrs Gabrielle Windley, Mrs Melanie Livera, Ms Stella Angelico and Mr Christopher Windley. This team of dedicated educators works 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 student 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, and 9, and two groups at Year 10, with a total enrolment of 95 students. These students have experienced the expertise of the MMEC teaching staff in assisting them to improve their literacy skills.

Standing: Carmel Dwyer, Jacqueline Irwin, Gabrielle Windley, Christopher Windley, Br Lawrence King, Gemma Austin Seated: Melanie Livera, Stella Angelico, Freda Siomos, Jacinta Ryan,Kathie Holmes, Karen Tillotson, Esther Gmelig Absent: Eve McLellan, Carolyn Hamilton, Simon Lloyd, Muriel West, Sandra Troise

The Numeracy Support Program, which was initiated in 2008, 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 45 students. 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. This year, we introduced a new format for writing Individual Learning Plans (I.L.P.s) through the new Moodle program. This is a mandated directive from the Catholic Education Office for students who are funded under the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Program. Workshop sessions for the new teaching staff were facilitated by the MMEC staff at the beginning of the year in the areas of modifying work tasks and exams, and writing I.L.P.s. The I.L.P.s are now written for each semester and emailed to the parents prior to the PSG meeting where possible. The support and cooperation of the Principal, Br Paul Rogers, Deputy Principal, Peter Riordan, Assistant Principal Stephen Young, Head of Kinnoull Sally Buick, Head of Tiverton John McAlroy, VELS Coordinator 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 work to enhance the lives of our students.

Mrs Kathie Holmes MMEC Coordinator