Education Support Services _______________________Page

from SJC Virtus 2017

Roll Call ________________________________Pages

The Education Learning Support department is continually evolving to meet the needs and challenges of our diverse learners. We have 117 students funded through the Catholic Education Office supported by 31 full time and part time support staff over two Campuses. There are many students that do not meet the funding criteria that are assisted wherever possible. The department promotes the Edmund Rice philosophy of inclusiveness and respect for all students regardless of their background, ability or disability. Establishing a supportive and respectful environment enables the students to feel safe and creates a more conductive framework for the students to thrive in their learning and social interactions. The Learning Support area has enabled the VITA Skills for Life Program to flourish. This program promotes engagement and provides qualifications and a pathway for many young people who need individualised programs and learning plans. Our Education Support area has given support staff a place to work with students who are finding the classroom a difficult place to be at times, a bespoke room for Parent Support Group (PSG) meetings and a bright and vibrant area for students to meet. The department has implemented “tech free” days on Tuesday and Thursday giving the students opportunities to discover other ways of interacting. The “Pre-Vita” program introduced at Westcourt this year is a precursor for the students when they return to Edmund Rice Campus in Year 10. The Literacy Learning Intervention groups designed for extra literacy support for Year 7 students, are making a valuable contribution to assisting students who have been identified as needing specific intervention to support positive learning and confidence in improving their literacy skills. Literacy and numeracy support is also offered at the breakfast club for Year 7s.

The Horse Riding Program through the RDA Barwon Centre is still in operation and several students benefit from the two hour sessions held each fortnight at Wallington. Some of the students in our department participate in a wide range of activities that St Joseph’s is renowned for: leadership roles, football, athletics, chess, acting, singing, membership of the school band, attending school camps - the list goes on. The students are an inspiration to all of us in the many and varied ways they teach us about who we are by challenging our “sensibilities” at times.

Once again our sincere thanks go to the Josephines for their ongoing financial support and interest in our programs that enables the department to purchase materials such as ‘Dragon Naturally Speaking’, outdoor Year 7 equipment, books and other literacy resources beneficial to the learning needs of our students.

With the growth and the ever increasing need to support our students’ learning across the College, our department will have three teachers coordinating various year levels and overseeing the students’ wellbeing. Mr Peter Adams, Mrs Nerrida Holland and Mrs Lauren Flint will be integral leaders in Education Support in 2018. They will offer vast experience and care when working with our parents and students. We would also like to acknowledge the wonderful work Mrs Sarah Gore did for the senior year levels this year. We wish Sarah all the best with her upcoming new arrival to the Gore family. We wish all the senior students who are leaving at the end of this year the very best in their future endeavours as they take their place in the world. Finally, a vignette from Will, Year 8 on what Education Learning Support means to him: “The education services is a very nurturing environment that anyone can go to if you need time to yourself when the classroom is loud, or overwhelming. The staff in the education services are always kind, helpful and welcoming to the students that enter.”