Learning Support
St Mary’s College employs a full time Learning Support Teacher to assist in meeting the needs of secondary students with a disability or learning difficulties. A Learning Support Teacher works 3 days per week in the smaller primary section (Grades 5 – 7) of the College. This ensures that boys with special learning needs are supported throughout their journey at St Mary’s College. The model of support follows guidelines set by Toowoomba Catholic Education Office.
Students ascertained with a disability or impairment
The Learning Support teacher is the case manager for students at the College that are ascertained within the Toowoomba Catholic Education Office system. The case manager’s role may include: providing information to teachers about the nature of the student’s disability, impairment or disorder, organising the IEP (Individual Education Plan) process – six monthly, and any reviews that take place. Students with disability and their parents or guardians are also supported by relevant Advisory Visiting Teachers from the TCEO.
Students with learning difficulties / disabilities
These students are catered for within the Primary section in the form of Learning Assistance lessons with the Learning Support Teacher. Two part-time teacher aides also assist students with literacy problems usually within the classroom environment. Learning Support classes are also offered to identified students from Years 8 – 10 usually as one subject per term. The topics for the subject are designed to meet the needs of the group. Student’s individual needs are also catered for by classroom teachers with input from the Learning Support Teacher. There is also extra assistance available for indigenous students that have difficulties with their academic achievement.
All of these processes occur with support from parents and guardians as well as other relevant staff and professionals.