Additional learning support

At Kogarah High School, we ensure every student is ready to learn. We support students with disability and additional learning needs so they can take part in all areas of school life. You do not need a formal diagnosis for your child to receive support in a mainstream class. Support can begin at any stage of school.

Learning and support team

Our learning and support team helps make sure every student gets the help they need at the right time. The team works with families, teachers and support staff to:

• understand each student’s needs
• plan adjustments and supports
• monitor progress
• connect with other services if needed.

Our learning and support team may include:

• learning and support teachers
• school learning support officers
• school counsellors
• school psychologists

• student support officers
• itinerant teachers for vision or hearing
• English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teachers
• Aboriginal education officers
• community and home school liaison officers

Diverse Learning Faculty

The Diverse Learning Faculty is committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to strive for excellence, experience success and develop skills to confidently meet the challenges of the 21st century.

At various stages in their education some students may require additional and specific assistance with their learning. The role of the Learning and Support Faculty is to identify and support these students with additional language and learning needs to ensure all students have the best opportunity to achieve to their full potential.

The Learning and Support Faculty is comprised of a number of specialist teachers:

• Learning and Support Teachers (LaST)
• English as an additional language/dialect teachers
• Transition advisor

EAL/D students are supported through a wide range of programs, including:

• A school orientation program for newly enrolling EAL/D students
• Parallel English classes for recently arrived EAL/D students in Years 9 and 10
• A team-teaching program where an EAL/D teacher team teaches with the subject teacher in targeted classes across the curriculum, with a focus on English language support.
• English Language Proficiency elective classes for Years 9 and 10
• Intensive English language support for targeted students identified as requiring additional assistance

Welcome program

Students with additional learning needs are supported through a wide range of programs, including:

• A team teaching program where a LaST teacher collaborates and teaches with the subject teacher in targeted classes across the curriculum to differentiate the work.
• The delivery of the MaqLit literacy program to students identified as requiring additional intensive support in reading and comprehension.
• A Flexible Learning Program for targeted stage 4 students to build literacy, numeracy and social skills.

Transition advisor

The transition advisor works closely with targeted stage 5 and 6 students to investigate, establish and implement career and transition plans.

Support Unit

Building connections with students to strive, thrive and survive life's challenges.

Kogarah High School consists of three specialist support classes that cater for students in Years 7 to 12 with autism spectrum disorder, mild intellectual disability and hearing impairment.

The unit offers several programs ranging from integrated courses to Life Skills Courses, with each class having fewer students than regular classes. All students have access to specialist provisions including disability provisions from National Education Standards Australia, itinerant support teachers, school learning support officers and interpreters, while individual adjustments are made to ensure all students achieve the outcomes.

Opportunities

Students have the option of pursuing TAFE courses for Years 11 and 12. Students have the opportunity to participate in Kogarah High School’s Coffee Shop program "Coffee Monkey" each Friday to gain work experience and develop hospitality and customer service skills. Each student has a semester Individual Learning Plan meeting to discuss progress, set academic goals and plan transition to higher education and employment.

As a result of this, a personalised learning plan is developed and implemented by class teachers, in consultation with students, parents and carers, disability employment agencies and allied health professionals, where appropriate, to achieve these goals. During all break times, students have access to an alternative playground environment if they wish to attend.

Access to transport assistance under the Assisted School Travel Program is also available to students who require transport to/from school.

Have a question about learning support?

We’re here to talk through your options. Contact us to speak with the learning and support team.

Contact us