Learning Enhancement at Strathcona
WHERE LEARNING IS THE
HEARTBEAT OF OUR CULTURE.
The focus of the Learning Enhancement Department at Strathcona is to provide authentic education support and enrichment programs for students from Prep to Year 12. Working to achieve full inclusion of students in the mainstream classroom whilst supporting their access to high quality education.
Support in the Junior School involves Literacy and Numeracy education support courses, evidence-based intervention programs and inclusive classroom support. Learning Enhancement Teachers, in collaboration with classroom teachers, work with small groups focusing on building students’ current level of ability in both Literacy and Numeracy, utilising a variety of assessments to target specific skills from Prep to Year 6. The Education Support staff provide in-class support for individuals and small groups to ensure participation across all subject areas.
The Enrichment teachers in the Junior School work closely with the Prep to Year 3 teachers, providing meaningful activities and assisting teachers with extending the curriculum for students working beyond their current year level. In Years 4-6, students are provided with Enrichment classes focusing on extension within the Mathematics and Literacy curriculum.
To access support in the Senior School, students in Year 7-10 enrol in Learning Enhancement classes, which replaces one of the Language Other Than English (LOTE) classes. Literacy intervention is provided to improve student writing, spelling, and reading abilities and to support students’ understanding of the content in their English classes. In collaboration with teachers, students are supported with the understanding and completion of assessments in all subject areas, including assistance with organisation and time management. Education Support staff work closely with students to provide in-class support for individuals and small groups to promote participation across the core subject areas. In Year 11 &12, students work in small groups with the Learning Enhancement staff for subject support during their study sessions.
Enrichment in the Senior School focuses on extending student knowledge within the current curriculum. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of activities, group projects, challenges and competitions to further increase their knowledge and extend their thinking abilities. The Enrichment program also provides opportunity for students to work within their peer group at Strathcona and liaise with students from other schools in Victoria.
The Learning Enhancement Department staff work across each year level and discipline to enable all students to enhance their learning regardless of their level or pace of learning.
Strathcona Girls Grammar Hearing Support Program
About Our Program
The Hearing Support Program encompasses a network of staff within the Strathcona community who are dedicated to maximising opportunities for girls that are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). Students are supported by staff within the multi-disciplinary Learning Enhancement Team. This includes Teachers of the Deaf, Learning Enhancement teachers, and Integration Aids.
The Learning Enhancement team ensures that DHH students can participate in all aspects of the curriculum and the wider school community. They work collaboratively with Strathcona staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders to improve student learning outcomes and support student wellbeing. Intervention lessons, taught by a Teacher of the Deaf, are timetabled using a needs-based funding model and are based on the Expanded Core Curriculum for DHH students.
The Wellbeing of students is a high priority to the School community. Students are supported through a strong Wellbeing Team in both the Junior and Senior campuses. Our ELC, Junior School, and Middle School SOUL (Self, Others, Us, Love) Wellbeing program ensures students are connected with their social and emotional needs and allows a high standard of pastoral care. In the Senior School, students are under the care of the Heads of House in a vertical House system. The Senior Mentor oversees the PAW (Pathways, Academics, Wellbeing) coaching model which facilitates a wholistic approach to their care. In addition, Teachers of the Deaf work closely with the students to develop a sense of connection and belonging within the cohort of DHH students.
Services we offer
- Individualised programs
- Literacy and language skills development
- Functional Skills for Educational Success.
- Self-determination & Advocacy
- Development of Social Skills and Social Thinking
- Conversation and public speaking skills
- Access to school-based psychologists
- Program Support Group Meetings and Parent consultation
- Friendly and open, maintaining regular communication with parents
- Career counselling, work experience and transition education
- Advocating for students
- On-campus visits from Hearing Australia
- Deaf Awareness Education
- Data-informed teaching practice to determine areas and levels of intervention required
- Special provisions for VCAA examinations and NAPLAN assessments
- Assistive Hearing Technology for assemblies.
- Teacher training and ongoing support using students’ personal Roger Microphone devices
- Ongoing teacher professional learning on the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students including appropriate adjustments and modifications
Beth MacLaren Smallwood Scholarship Program
The Beth MacLaren Smallwood Scholarship was established by a former student of Strathcona, the late Mrs Beth Smallwood (nee MacLaren). The recipient will be a girl with significant hearing impairment who would benefit from an education at Strathcona. The recipient of the Scholarship will be determined by interview and, dependent on financial circumstances, will be valued at up to 80% of the tuition fees in any one year. The Scholarship shall be available to each scholar for the period of her enrolment, subject to satisfactory conduct and progress.
Applications for the Beth MacLaren Smallwood Scholarship may be submitted at any time of year. Notification of scholarship may be provided in the year preceding entry.
To learn more about this scholarship please visit our scholarship page.
