Embracing Diversity
We embrace the diversity of our students and develop programs to support their particular learning needs.
We believe in designing learning programs to suit all students. Education at Servite aims to encompass the full spectrum of needs, including students with diagnosed disabilities, students with specific learning difficulties and gifted and talented students.
Telethon Speech and Hearing
The Telethon Speech and Hearing Team provide a support program at Servite for students with a hearing loss. Telethon Speech and Hearing staff work collaboratively with College staff to ensure students are able to fully participate in mainstream school life. Students receive tailored support and individual assistance to achieve optimal learning outcomes. Assistance may include extra language, speech, auditory, social/emotional and academic support. Beyond the classroom, speech and language support is also provided by visiting Telethon Speech and Hearing therapists as required. Teaching staff are regularly updated on technical equipment such as personal transmitters, use of captions and personalised teaching styles which are best suited to students’ particular needs.
Students with Additional Needs
Our Additional Needs program is designed to meet the unique learning needs of students who require individualised education programs (IEP). Diverse Education can be delivered in a variety of settings based on the student’s needs.
At Servite our focus is primarily on the integration of students into the classroom, with the majority of our support focused within classroom. We also offer withdrawal support on a needs basis, including focus classes in the areas of literacy and numeracy. The Additional Needs Centre includes a purpose-built Diverse Education Space with a kitchen, sensory room and meeting areas. Additional Needs students in the senior school are supported from this centre as well as through our ongoing use of flexible options. In Year 11 and Year 12 students access work skills and Vocational Education programs, focused literacy and numeracy classes and one-on-one support.
Gifted and Talented Students
Extending students inside and beyond the curriculum is a key goal for identified Gifted and Talented (GATE) students. Students may be extended by:
• In-class differentiation by the class teacher with assistance from Diverse Education staff
• Participation in the GATE program – collaborating with peers and undertaking extension modules of work both at a local and global levels
• Invitation to participate in co-curricular programs eg. Tournament of Minds
• Special programs run by the GATE Coordinator
• Personalised extension projects to meet an individual’s needs
• Accessing various external programs as they arise eg. university invitations to special programs, gifted and talented programs, subject specific clubs etc.
• Acceleration – eg. participation in Extension Maths classes in their study
• Linking with a mentor in a specific area of interest
Identification
The identification process has usually already begun once the student starts education in a high school setting. Handover of information from the primary school is essential in the transition process. Extra transition, above the norm for the year level cohort, is offered to students identified as those who would benefit from additional time to settle into high school routines and orientate themselves with a new school setting. This could include:
• School visits and meeting with primary teachers
• Further observations of the student in their primary school
• Family meetings