learning support

At our school, we ensure every student is ready to learn. We support students with disability and additional learning needs so they can take part in all areas of school life. You do not need a formal diagnosis for your child to receive support in a mainstream class. Support can begin at any stage of school.

Support that fits your child's needs

Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make support plans and adjustments  that suits each child’s needs.

Additional learning support can include:

• teachers and support staff working together with families (and students, if needed)
• specialist support for students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)

• providing tailored programs to help high potential and gifted students with their advanced learning needs

• small group tutoring to provide targeted literacy and numeracy support for students

• regular check-ins to review and update the planned supports

• changes to the classrooms:

  • accessible classrooms
  • assistive technology
  • instructional resources

• extra guidance, simpler content or different focus during lessons

• assessment adjustments:

  • more time
  • simpler language
  • breaks during tasks
  • different ways to complete a task (e.g. oral presentations instead of written tasks).

We know when a student needs help when:

• teachers notice changes in learning or behaviour
• reviewing assessment results and learning progress
• parents and carers raise concerns or ask for support.

Adjustments are planned with parents and carers. They are reviewed regularly and changed when needed.  If you think your child may need extra help, contact us.

Learning and support team

At Yowie Bay Public School we have a skilled Learning Support Team that consists of the Learning Support Team Coordinator, the Principal, Assistant Principals, School Counsellor, School Chaplain, Learning and Support Teacher and Class Teacher.

We meet each week to discuss the specific needs and progress of students with learning and social needs. The team discusses referrals from teachers and parents and makes decisions to support the development of plans to assist children with learning needs.

School Chaplain

The role of our chaplain is to help support our children, teachers and parents feel happy and safe at school. One of the chaplain’s roles is to support children solve minor problems and concerns that arise at school in their social interactions and peer groups. If there are any problems at home or in the family, parents can request the chaplain talk to their child. For example, an illness or death in the family; parent separation; difficulty with siblings or peers. Parents/guardians are encouraged to visit, call, email or complete a referral form available from the office.

School Counsellor

School counsellors are members of the school Learning Support Team. Parents or carers may seek advice from school counsellors about their child’s school progress, educational options, including access to special education services, behaviour and for information about help available from other agencies. School counselling is a confidential service and school counsellors will check with children, parents or carers before passing on information (such as the results of tests of learning difficulties) to others. Confidentiality will be maintained unless legal requirements, eg child protection legislation, override it. School counsellors are not at every school every day. It is necessary for parents or carers to make an appointment by telephoning the school. Priorities for the school counsellor’s time will be determined, in consultation with the school counsellor, by the Learning Support Team.

Our learning and support team helps make sure every student gets the help they need at the right time. The team works with families, teachers and support staff to:

• understand each student’s needs
• plan adjustments and supports
• monitor progress
• connect with other services if needed.

Our learning and support team may include:

• learning and support teachers
• school learning support officers
• school counsellors
• school psychologists

• student support officers
• itinerant teachers for vision or hearing
• English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teachers
• Aboriginal education officers
• community and home school liaison officers.

Contact us to meet with a member of this team to talk about your child’s strengths, interests and areas where they may need support.

Have a question about learning support?

We’re here to talk through your options. Contact us to speak with the principal or learning and support team.

Contact us