Additional learning support
At our school, we ensure every student is ready to learn. We support students with disability and additional learning needs so they can take part in all areas 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.
Learning and Support Programs
The Learning and Support Team at The Ponds High School is looking forward to working with your child to ensure that they have the appropriate strategies and adjustments in place to allow them to reach their potential throughout their high school years.
Our mission is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate and achieve both within the classroom and in the broader educational and community settings.
Learning support starts in the classroom where our highly skilled and dedicated teachers differentiate the curriculum to support the learning needs of all the students in their classes. If your child needs additional support they are referred to the Learning and Support Team.
The Learning and Support Team is made up of a range of specialist teachers and the school counsellor. We also work closely with external health care specialists to ensure that we meet the needs of your child and provide them with the best possible opportunities to maximise their outcomes.
The Learning and Support Team currently offers the following services to support our students:
- Personal Learning Plans - Are tailored to meet the needs of our individual students that provide both strategies for our teaching staff and strategies for the student to ensure that they are participating and learning in the most effective way.
- Numeracy Groups - Students are selected based on their level of need and are provided with extra support in numeracy through the use of highly effective and proven numeracy programs.
- Literacy Groups - Students who will benefit most from literacy support are selected through observation, consultation with class teachers and testing outcomes. This course is provided by dedicated and trained staff.
- Student Mentors - Students who will most benefit most from having a mentor will be provided with either a student or teacher mentor. This allows your child to have access to extra guidance, support and advice on a range of school matters and a friendly face around the school if they require additional support.
The Learning and Support Team look forward to working both with you and your child to ensure that they have the chance to reach their potential.
EAL/D
The Ponds High School is a culturally and linguistically diverse school, with students speaking a range of over 50 different languages and dialects. English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) students may be overseas-born or Australian-born students, whose first language or dialect is a language other than English.
EAL/D students are often skilled bilingual, multilingual or dialectal learners who have strong skills and knowledge in their first language or dialect but may require targeted support to access and demonstrate success with the linguistic and cultural demands of the curriculum.
At The Ponds High School, the EAL/D specialist teachers and the classroom teachers work collaboratively to use culturally and linguistically inclusive strategies that support learners to participate in class activities and help them improve their English proficiency. These strategies include encouraging the use of their first language, using scaffolds and differentiating reading, learning and assessments. In addition, the school provides in-class support and lunch time support lessons for EAL/D students based on their individual needs. The EAL/D specialist teachers monitor and assess each supported students' progress through on-going professional assessment, which ensures that they receive appropriate support from the school.
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.