Additional learning support

At our Birrong Public School we are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed by providing tailored support for students with disability or additional learning needs. Our goal is to create an environment where all students can fully participate in all aspects 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.

At Birrong Public School we will develop an understanding of your child’s needs in consultation with you and your child. We will consider your child’s reading and numeracy skills, their language and communications skills, social skills, their school attendance, their health care needs and their personal and cultural background. Our focus is not limited to formal assessment, but also takes into account our observations and data collected from formative assessment.

Any documentation you have from medical and other professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, audiologists or early childhood educators will also be taken into account. If your child has an NDIS plan you can let us know, this may help with planning within our school setting.

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, please contact us.

Learning and Support Team (LST)

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 includes:

• classroom teachers
• Learning and Support Teachers (LaST)
• Assistant Principals
• Assistant Principals, Curriculum and Instruction
• school learning support officers
• school counsellors

• 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.

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External therapy providers at Birrong Public School

At Birrong Public School, we recognise the importance of supporting the diverse needs of our students. To assist in this, we may provide opportunities for external therapists, including behaviour, speech, occupational therapists, and psychologists, to work with students on-site during school hours. The service will require the approval of the Principal.

This service is offered with parental consent, and sessions are scheduled in a way that ensures minimal disruption to your child’s learning. All external providers must meet the Department of Education requirements, including current Working With Children Check (WWCC) clearance, insurance documentation, and child protection mandatory training.

For more information or to discuss arranging a therapist to support your child at school, please contact us.

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The external provider flowchart below, may help you further understand the process.