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Inclusive Education
All Townsville Catholic Education schools aim to provide a whole school approach to valuing the uniqueness and diversity of each student. By providing a safe and supportive environment that responds to individual needs, all students can engage with the curriculum. Townsville Catholic Education is committed to supporting and educating each and every student to his or her potential. Through the use of inclusive practices, we create an environment that supports and nurtures all students.
Our schools meet their obligations under the Disability Standards for Education 2005 to ensure that all students with disability (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ) are able to participate in the Australian Curriculum on the same basis as their peers through rigorous, meaningful and dignified learning programs.
Inclusive education is more than a set of practices, it is a way of thinking about people, diversity, learning, and teaching.
Inclusion is:
- All students are able to access and participate in all aspects of school life, including events beyond the classroom such as in assemblies, school excursions, concerts and other extracurricular events.
- All students are learning the same age-appropriate curriculum, with necessary support and adjustments.
- Parents, students, and school staff working in partnership to determine the appropriate adjustments the student requires to enable them to participate fully in the school and classroom environment.
Support provided may include:
- Differentiated classroom instruction
- Adjustments to teaching and learning, communication, physical environment, health/personal care and adjustments that enable access to learning
- Personalised Learning structures e.g. Individual Education Plans
- Participation in focussed and intensive instruction and/or programs
- Support with medical, self - care, behavioural or social and emotional needs and clear plans to manage these.
- Referral to TCE specialist staff such as Guidance Counsellors, Speech Language Pathologists, Advisory Visiting Specialists for Hearing Impairment and Inclusion. Visit the TCEO website for more information.
- Outside agencies - such as Government funded agencies (e.g. Autism Queensland, Speech and Language Development Australia, Positive Partnerships, and collaboration with NDIS providers.
St Kieran's Catholic Primary School aims to support students with education or other needs.
Inclusive Education has a major focus on Literacy and Numeracy. Children are selected for placement in the program based on data from standardised test results including PAT testing, Early Years Screening (Prep to Year 2), speech screening, NAPLAN and teacher nomination. One experienced teacher and trained School Officers facilitate intervention programs including: Initial Lit recovery, Speech programs, Fitzroy Reading, fine motor development, Support-A-Talker and other support programs tailored to student needs.
Teachers are supported in class by school officers and specialist coaches provide additional support to teachers and small student groups.
Inclusive Education staff also work collaboratively with the members of the school community, and other outside agencies, as required, for the benefit of students with disabilities. Generally this occurs in three key areas consultancy, student support and professional practice.
Enrichment
St Kieran's aims to cater for the needs of all students and all classes extend and enrich their students by providing a diverse range of activities and experiences through quality differentiation.
WAHOO is a extension for students who can think out side of the box and need extension in areas of their learning.
Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 are invited to participate in the yearly OptiMINDS challenge and Year 6 students are invited to participate in the Quest for Knowledge competition conducted by Townsville Catholic Education.
ICAS testing is also offered for students who wish to participate in the range of external assessments. An entry fee applies.
Guidance Counsellor
In primary school educational psychology services are delivered to clusters of schools. The guidance counsellor delivers direct services to schools providing consultancy on behaviour management, psycho-educational assessment, counselling and preventative initiatives.
Speech Pathologist
In primary school we have a speech pathologist who works with the teachers in developing speech programs for students.