Education Support Mary Rice Learning Centre Ms Lissa Coleman Director of Education Support
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Albert Einstein The year 2014 was a year of change, adaptation and progress for Education Support. To enable us to provide more opportunities and personal success for our students, the College leadership made the decision to appoint the following positions: a Gifted and Talented Coordinator (.4FTE), a Learning Support teacher (.5FTE) and a Speech Pathologist (.1FTE). These appointments recognise the valuable work that education support has been doing so far and the need to go beyond that and extend opportunities for our students. Ms Donette Firkins was appointed Learning Support teacher Years 7 and 8. She has been a wonderful addition to the College with her many years of experience in special education. Miss Deborah Smit was appointed Speech Pathologist and works predominately with the junior and middle school years providing intervention, therapy and diagnostic testing at the College. She has been amazing this year and the College hopes to increase her contact time next year.
Mr Richard Herrmann was appointed Gifted and Talented Coordinator and has proven to be a wonderful addition to the team with his enthusiasm, professionalism and wisdom. Under his guidance the program has gone from strength to strength. Again the College hopes to increase his time in 2015. Support continues for all our students where the department endeavours to provide equity and fairness for them all. This support includes: testing, case management, identifying and communicating with parents, special exam arrangements, decision making about how resources are to be used throughout the College and staffing. With expanding knowledge, time and staffing Education Support will move further forward in 2015. Programs such as QuickSmart, Sound Way to Reading, Writing and Spelling, Certificate II Business could not be delivered without the support of the College leadership. These are programs that are research- based and have proven to be very successful.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data for Students with Disabilities (NCCD for SWD) In 2014 Trinity College was asked to take part in the NCCD for SWD. This data will be used by the Australian Government to deliver information about how schools accommodate their students with a view to improve funding. For the first time teachers are being asked how much time they take to make changes and which students need the most support. The College was delighted to have been chosen as a pilot school in this area.
Education Support Staff outside the Mary Rice Learning Centre Back row: Catherine Ryan, John Overton, William Brock, Lissa Coleman Front row: Fiona Pagano, Donette Firkins, Darlene Levett, Debbie Viskovich Absent: Donna Landon and Deb Smit
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