At MLC the Education Support Services (ESS) unit operates with the core goal of providing for the individual learning needs of a wide range of students across the Junior, Middle and Senior School. ESS staff support students in learning environments that are flexible and responsive to the needs of different individuals.

We understand that for some learning is not always easy and while all learners need to be challenged, they also need to experience learning success. At the same time, there are girls whose considerable academic potential requires that they be given opportunities to extend themselves in an environment of academic excellence, and they, too, need special support.

For this reason education for students with special needs aims to supplement and expand the regular differentiated curriculum so that we can continue to tailor learning experiences to an individual’s ability and needs.

Learning support

Early intervention is central to our support endeavours at MLC, as is developing essential literacy competencies (reading, writing, speaking, listening). Support services are available to students and teachers from the time of entry into the School. These support programs are developed for all grades from Pre-Kinder to Year 12.

Some of the Learning Programs offering support for students with difficulties at MLC are listed below:

• Homework Club Years 6-12

Afternoon Homework Club is an easy way for students in Senior and Middle Schools to find a friendly, quiet space to work with assistance at hand as required. Students may bring short-term or long-term homework projects as well as class work or assignments set by MLC. Homework club is supervised by an Educational Support Services Staff member.

 

• ESL Club

ESL Club is available to our senior students (Yrs 9-12) who are not native speakers of English. Like Homework Club, it operates in the afternoons after classes have finished. Students have the opportunity to receive assistance with homework tasks, assignments or academic writing skills development. ESL Club is supervised by an Educational Support Services staff member.

 

• Cross Age Peer Tutoring Years 7 and 8

Trained Year 11 and Year 12 Tutors assist Year 7 and Year 8 students with academic work during Wednesday morning assembly time.

 

• Individual Education Program Years K-10

This is a formal, highly supportive individualised program for students who cannot meet the outcomes of the mainstream curriculum either because of learning difficulties or because the demands of supporting the development of a particular gift, be it musical, sporting or intelectual. All IEP contracts are fully negotiated with parents and the student.

 

• In Class Assistance Years K-12

Assistance within the classroom is provided by members of the Learning Support team in consultation with the classroom teacher.

 

• Listening Library Years 2-12

A growing number of unabridged novels are available for in-class and leisure reading. These audio resources offer students access to literature for class work where they are able to ‘read along’ following the text to improve fluency in reading. The use of iPod technology has enhanced the success of this program.

 

• Year 10 Assistance

In preparation for the demands of Years 11 and 12 targeted and self-referral students in Year 10 are able to spend time with Learning Support staff and volunteer teachers to accommodate individual student academic needs.

 

• Home Programs Years 1-6

A number of home programs are currently running through the school. These programs offer parents a program to follow at home where they can support their daughter as a ‘tutor’ in developing skills. The program generally is designed for students in infants and primary classes.

 

• Language Backgrounds Other than English/English as a Second Language

Specialist teachers work with teachers and students in Kent House, Middle School and Senior School to cater for the specific needs of students of Language Backgrounds Other Than English (LBOTE). At ESL Club, held in the ILC twice weekly after school, students can improve their English language skills in order to better achieve the outcomes in their chosen courses. Trained peer tutors will also be available to work with LBOTE students during Wednesday Cross Age Peer Tutoring sessions.