The role of the Learning Support Team is to provide for the learning needs and welfare of all students at Castle Hill Public School. The Learning Support Team meets weekly to discuss teacher and parent referrals and follow up on students referred during the year.
Their role is to discuss the referrals with a view to implementing one or more of the following strategies:
- assistance with developing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for students
- help implement programs to support students' needs
- organise for students to receive extra support from specialist staff within the school
- seek external help to support student and family
- refer to the School Counsellor
- apply for funding to support the student through the use of a teacher's aide.
English and other learning dialects (EAL/D)
Learning English is an essential requirement for success both at school and for further education for students who speak a language other than English as their first language. A specially trained EAL/D teacher plans many language based activities to develop EAL/D students' English language competence and improve their learning outcomes.
EAL/D teaching focuses on students learning English in the context of the curriculum they are studying so that they acquire the English language skills relevant to the subject area. Students receive support from the specialist teacher working with a class teacher or in small groups. The program aims to meet all students' needs, from the basics to deep knowledge of the complexities of the English language.
The various cultural backgrounds of the children are recognised in the learning process and they are encouraged to be proud of their home languages and culture.
Friendship room
The friendship room is a program established by the learning support team to provide opportunities for students across the school who find at times, the playground and making friends challenging. The small group sessions are intended to help students develop their social skills and friendships at our school. The friendship room operates on a teacher nominated referral basis and is open every Wednesday at second half of lunch in one of the primary classrooms.
Playmates
The playground can be an overwhelming place for new students with a multitude of issues facing them including:
- understanding and following new school expectations
- general anxiety often linked to separation anxiety at starting school
- sensory over-stimulation, especially for students with disabilities
- not knowing or understanding how to play playground-based games
- not knowing how to initiate or develop friendships.
Our school playmates program allows our Kindergarten students to be teamed up with Year 5 and 6 mentors on the playground. Students learn and engage in a range of playground games which support their transition to school.
Whole school buddy program
Our buddy program promotes a sense of community at the school and encourages new friendships as well as an opportunity for students to support one another socially and with their learning. Our buddy classes allow our younger students to have role models and provide our older children the opportunity to develop a range of qualities including leadership, responsibility and increased social skills.
Learning and Support Teacher (LaST)
The LaST, through the school's learning support team, provides specialist assistance to students with additional learning and support needs and their teachers. The LaST helps assess the learning of referred students and helps develop, implement, model, monitor and evaluate teaching programs for students with learning and support needs in conjunction with regular classroom teachers.