How We Teach & Support

It's the little things we do to support an individualised learning program that get us the big results

How we teach and support

Our entire teaching staff is dedicated to the detail and we want to ensure every child achieves to their own potential. 

This means ensuring we have a robust system of teaching and support that not only caters to the average (or middle student) – but also the advanced student or the student that needs some extra support. 

For learning to take place we need to ensure that every child feels safe, happy and confident within themselves – and so a huge emphasis is placed on a strong wellbeing and support program that achieves just that!

Additional Support & Extending Students

At St Brigid’s learning is targetted to the individual needs of the student.

Some students may need additional, specific support or extension in certain curriculum areas.

The focus of Numeracy intervention is to develop a strong foundational understanding of Number. Students participate in up to 3 sessions per week with a specialist maths teacher either in class or in small groups. 

Numeracy extension classes are provided at St. Brigid’s in both Middle and Senior classes or as part of an individualised program. Students investigate, reason and problem solve together in a collaborative environment. Emphasis is put on explanations and models of proof.

Literacy intervention involves students working one on one on targetted skills or involvement in specific programs such as ERIK (Enhancing Reading Intervention Knowledge).

Literacy extension occurs through specific, targetted individualised or small group sessions or through personalised extension programs.

Learning Dispositions

‘Learning dispositions’ are used to understand children’s ability to be self motivated and become lifelong learners in a changing world. Learning dispositions are characteristics or attitudes to learning that are life skills. At St Brigid’s we explicitly teach; curiosity, courage, collaboration, creativity, self motivation, reflective and resilience. Each one of these encompasses a variety of skills and attitudes to promote a good learner.

In the junior years these dispositions are taught through discovery sessions and in the middle and senior years are incorporated across all learning areas.

Transition
Orientation
 
Orientation begins with the school open days and enrolment interview where the Principal meets with the new students and their parents.
 

Students starting school at St Brigid’s, are then involved in a number of orientation sessions, giving them the opportunity to join the learning community with confidence and a positive outlook.

While students spend time getting to know their new classmates, teachers and environment, parents meet together in order to get to know one another, discuss expectations and concerns, and share experiences.

The Transition Learning & Development Statement provided by early childhood services also  gives important information to the school to assist with planning support and learning programs for children starting school.

Some students may require additional orientation before starting and we are very happy to facilitate these sessions in order to meet individual needs.

Families are officially welcomed into the Parish community during a Parish Liturgy.

 We also run a weekly ‘ Playgroup’  for all children from birth to school age – a great way to develop confidence and to feel comfortable in our warm, welcoming environment.  See attached brochure for more information. 

Transition

Foundation students make their transition into the St Brigid’s Learning Community over a number of staggered starting times and days.

Parent/Teacher Chats, held at the beginning of first term, give teachers, parents and students the opportunity to meet and share strengths, challenges and passions.

Teachers implement assessments for Foundation students at the beginning of term 1, which gives teachers an opportunity to ‘get to know’ children on a one to one basis and informs their teaching and learning.

A buddy system is set up for foundation students, who are assigned a number of ‘buddies’ from across the school who ‘lookout’ for, work with and support these newest members of our community.

 

Transition: throughout the school

Students at all levels are involved in a number of transition sessions during term four in order to help each student make a smooth transition from one level to the next. On one of these days the students will meet with their new teacher and home group for the following year.

During these transition sessions, students interact with different groups, explore new learning spaces, are involved in a range of activities and meet new staff members.

Again, some students may require additional transition/familiarisation sessions and we are very happy to implement and facilitate these sessions in order to meet individual needs.  

Regular professional conversations and collaboration between teachers across levels ensure an understanding of individual learning needs. 

Parent/Teacher Chats and assessments, held at the beginning of first term, give teachers, parents and students the opportunity to meet and share strengths, challenges and passions.

During facilitated planning sessions teaching teams track the progress of all students. Through the use of data, teams are able to meet individual needs, identify those students requiring additional support and extend students in specific areas.

Specific ‘handover’ meetings are held where student individual files, kept from year to year, are discussed and given to new homegroup teachers as an overview of individual students.

Some students will require additional Program Support Group (PSG) meetings and these are held on a regular basis with Parents, Teachers and Education Support Staff. 

 

Transition: Year 6 to Year 7

Throughout the second half of the fourth term, St Brigid’s runs a transition program for our Year 6 students where they can begin to experience some of the organisational, timetabling and learning processes associated with secondary school, thus helping them to feel even more confident and well prepared as they leave primary school.

St Brigid’s works closely with our secondary feeder schools. Orientation days, information sessions and additional PSG meetings are organised, with information shared to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.

Student entry forms from secondary settings give teachers an opportunity to inform the school of individual needs with visits from co-ordinators in secondary colleges encouraged. Past students from St Brigid’s visit and speak to our year 6 students regarding life at secondary school, with students encouraged to ask questions and share any concerns.

We receive newsletters from secondary colleges with information about ex-students and their achievements, which has been an excellent way for us to keep track of some of our students.

Again, some students may require additional transition/familiarisation sessions and we work with the secondary colleges to implement and facilitate these additional sessions in order to meet individual needs.   

Many of our past students return to St Brigid’s for work experience, to help out on free days or simply to maintain relationships. Evidence of the strong community connections nurtured through our learning Community.

St Brigid’s – truly a small school with a big heart.

Leadership

Student Leadership Team

An important factor in the success of our learning community is student leadership and involvement.
Student team leaders are elected by their peers and are seen as representatives of the school and role
models for the students. Each leader has the opportunity to practise and enhance their skills as leaders in
their area and have additional student duties and responsibilities.
Class Leaders – Each homeroom elects a student representative, every term to take the role of Class
Leader.
Senior School Leaders – Representatives of the school are elected at the end of the student’s Grade 5
year for commencement in Grade 6.

Moving Schools
There are a number of students who begin Primary School in another setting. 
When a student begins school in a new setting and subsequently moves to St Brigid’s, they need support to ensure a smooth and successful transition. 
Families and students visit St Brigid’s before the enrolment process commences.
The new student and their parents/carers meet with the Principal, teachers and other staff to ensure all information about the potential enrolment is shared.
We work closely with the family and the previous school to ensure all areas of need are addressed.
Supporting documentation is shared and completed and contact with the previous school established.
Our enrolment policy is followed through and enrolment documentation is completed.
Once all documentation is completed St Brigid’s will send a letter of offer to the new family – who then send back a letter of acceptance.
The new student will be involved in a number of transition sessions in the weeks leading up to starting at St Brigid’s. 
Length of transition will depend on individual needs as decided by the Principal and/or leadership team.
We work together in a clear, supportive and transparent way to ensure a strong and successful relationship is established.

Isn’t it time we got to know each other?
Take our online VIDEO TOUR or book a SCHOOL TOUR!

Meet our principal, teachers, current students, parents, learn about our curriculum opportunities and tips for a smooth start to school.


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