Learning Support

Learning Support

The Learning Support Department works with students who require additional support with their needs around learning, behaviour or health. We support students of all academic abilities. If you have a son or daughter who has previously received additional support, please contact us to ensure we are aware of their individual needs. It is particularly important that we are made aware of:

• Diagnosed learning differences such as dyspraxia, dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties
• Diagnosed behavioural needs such as ADD, ADHD and Autism Spectrum
• Permanent or long-term medical, physical and sensory conditions or disabilities

We use the information to prepare an individualised learner profile outlining recommended strategies to assist the student’s learning. This is made available to the student’s teachers. Some students may have undiagnosed learning needs. The Head of Student Support will investigate further following a request from family, teachers or the student.

Special Assessment Conditions

Junior: Students eligible to use a reader or computer/writer are encouraged to trial the support for some of their assessments during Years 9 and 10. Eligibility is determined by the Head ofStudent Support in conjunction with the student’s family.

Senior: An application for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) is made by the school for students who meet the criteria for specific learning difficulties, sensory and medical needs. The decision around eligibility is made by NZQA. Students with approved SAC may use them for NCEA internal assessments, school examinations and external examinations. To discuss eligibility, please contact the Head of Student Support.

Learning Support Team

Our team includes three Teachers and team of Teacher Aides. We work with students in the main classroom setting and also with individuals and small groups in the Opportunity Room to deliver short-term intervention programmes for literacy, numeracy, cognitive skills and study skills.

A team of itinerant specialist teachers including Resource Teacher for Vision, Resource Teacher of the Deaf and Resource Teacher for Learning and Behaviour work on site with identified students, as required.

We also liaise regularly with Heads of School, Counsellors, Health Nurse, Career Pathways, Academic Mentors and Gifted and Talented Coordinator.

Head of  Student Support - Tom Wilkinson