Ensuring Inclusivity
At Bonnyrigg High School we strive to create positive learning environments in which all students are provided with support and encouragement to achieve their personal best. The aim of the Learning and Support team is to identify students who require additional learning assistance and provide them with the support they need to access the curriculum. Our dedicated team works collaboratively with teachers, students, parents/carers, external agencies and the community to create personalised learning opportunities that allow students to reach their full potential. All Learning and Support staff adhere to the core school values of connections, honesty, empathy, excellence and respect. The Learning and Support faculty consists of:
• Head Teacher Learning and Support
• Learning and Support Teachers (LaST)
• School Learning and Support Officers (SLSO)
• Aboriginal Education Officer
Learning and Support Teacher Role
The Learning and Support Teacher (LaST) assists teachers in recognising and catering to students with additional learning needs. The role of the LAST is diverse and includes:
• Assisting individual students experiencing deficits in literacy and numeracy as well as students with organisational, behavioural, physical or mental health concerns.
• Assisting teachers to program, teach and assess students who have diverse learning needs.
• Working in collaboration with teachers, parents and the students to create Personalised Learning and Support Plans (PLASP) that reflect the learning needs of the student receiving support.
• Withdrawing students from class for intensive instruction.
• Assisting students in receiving special provisions for exams including assisting year 12 students in accessing “Disability Provisions” for the HSC.
• Connecting students to programs both within school and externally that cater to their specific needs.
School Learning and Support Officers
• Equity and flexible funds received at Bonnyrigg High are used to run numerous learning and support programs and employ School Learning and Support Officers (SLSOs), who support individual students with additional learning needs. SLSOs provide one-on-one assistance in the classroom with subject work, tasks and assessments. They work under the direction of the classroom teacher, allowing the teacher greater flexibility in adapting programs that meet the learning needs of students. This support improves student engagement and assists with the understanding of subject-specific content.
How we support our Students
The Learning Centre
Student well-being is a priority at Bonnyrigg High School. We strive to create positive learning environments were students feel supported and valued. The Learning Centre provides one-on-one assistance for students struggling to grasp concepts and achieve learning outcomes. The aim of the Learning Centre is to improve student understanding; develop literacy and numeracy skills; enhance student outcomes; and catch up on missed work. Students are given assistance with assessment tasks, where scaffolds are provided for support. For some students the school playground can be overwhelming, the Learning Centre also provides a safe place for students to visit during the school day where they can interact with peers in a smaller setting.
Life skills
Diverse student ability at Bonnyrigg High is also addressed through the provision of a Life Skills Curriculum for students unable to meet regular learning outcomes. Students are tested and teacher, parent and counsellor collaboration takes place before the student is placed on the alternate curriculum. Students placed on Life Skills receive support from the Learning and Support Teacher (LaST), both in class and one-on-one. This support assists students with assessment tasks and work placement, as well as providing individual programs that cater for literacy and numeracy skills. All Life Skills students have a PLASP, which is collaboratively devised in consultation with parents, teachers, student and relevant external agencies. This ensures individual learning needs are catered for.
RBON Home Room
RBON is a smaller roll call class for students from years 7-9. The aim of the class is to create a positive start to the day for students, essentially setting them up for a successful day of learning. The roll call class was created to develop the organisational and self-management skills of the students to assist them in becoming confident and independent learners. It provides opportunities for the LaST to check in with students who require additional support, making sure they are up to date with schoolwork and assessment tasks as well as monitor their well-being. Additionally, RBON provides students with the opportunity to interact with peers through a range of activities in a smaller group setting. The intention is for students to develop social emotional skills and build positive relationships with peers.
Multi-Lit & Macqlit
The Multilit Reading Program is offered to students identified as having phonemic awareness deficits. This program teaches phonemic skills required to decode words and develop reading automaticity, enabling students to access and understand subject-specific content and achieve learning outcomes. Additionally, Macqlit supports students to improve their reading comprehension skills. Macqlit is an explicit intervention program for small groups of older low-progress readers. It provides teachers with a comprehensive sequence of lessons of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Students who successfully complete these interventions are able to return to regular classes with improved reading and comprehension skills.