A teacher is employed to support children with special needs. Children are assessed and tested and the resulting data assists the school to more effectively cater for the children.
Learning Support Assistants also help to provide support to children. A Special Needs Committee meets regularly to monitor progress and to assist in the decision making process.
Learning Support Vision Statement
All children are unique individuals with their own needs, gifts and talents. Hence they learn at different rates and have preferred learning styles.
All children have the right to receive an education which values and nurtures their strengths and weaknesses and it is the school's vision they receive a quality education.
Children who have a physical, intellectual or learning disability, a hearing or visual impairment, an emotional disability or who have other special needs which affect their participation in education have the right to be included in all school educational and social programs. It is the school's vision that an "inclusive" attitude permeate the school community.
The vision of St Bernard's School's Learning Support Program attempts to provide a range of learning opportunities so students with learning support needs can gain skills necessary to participate and contribute to society. Students with disabilities will have an Individual Education Program which will be reviewed biannually in consultation with all personnel involved with the student's education. Intensive Reading Programs, Fine Motor Groups, Numeracy and Literacy Groups and Social Skills Programs will support those students identified as needing assistance. Collaboration/Consultation/Team Teaching and Withdrawal models of Learning Support will be used from K-6 depending on the needs of the students.
In accordance with the Diocesan Policy, St Bernard's School Berowra believes that children with special needs are at the essence of what makes a school catholic: our care for them is a powerful expression of God's Kingdom in our midst.