MCSS offers a comprehensive, integrated support program for students with additional needs to enable equitable access and participation in our school. Our various programs are designed to meet the individual needs of learners and works actively to eliminate barriers to inclusion.
Targeted Support Programs (LSU)
The Targeted support program on the College Campus provides an individualised educational program for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Students must meet the ACT Student Disability Criteria to be placed in this setting.
In line with our inclusion policy, our students have their core areas of Mathematics, English, Work Education and Life Learning Leisure in smaller classes where they have individual and small group instruction from a specialised teacher and a Learning Support assistant. Small class sizes ensure that students receive a high level of individual instruction. Targeted support teachers provide enhanced, scaffolded and enriched programs to meet the individual needs of students. This recognises that every student learns differently and that learning experiences can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Students are integrated into mainstream classes for their choice of elective classes, Physical Education and an additional elective subjects. Outside agencies also offer support for the students. Access to the school psychologist, nurse and youth workers provide expanded opportunities for students in health awareness and activities that build work and social skills.
Inclusion Support Program (ISP)
Students who meet eligibility criteria may be entitled to support in their mainstream classes. This support can be delivered in many ways including, but not limited to, Learning Support Assistants providing in-class support, specialist tutorials, teacher liaison, modified curriculum and assessment, professional learning for classroom teachers and home-school liaison. They may qualify due to a physical or intellectual disability, a language disorder, impaired vision or hearing, chronic medical condition, mental health or pervasive developmental disorder and will be allocated resources for support based on their educational access and participation needs using the Student-Centred Appraisal of Need (SCAN) process.
Individual Learning Plans (ILP)
Students accessing a Disability Education program are required to have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The ILP identifies the personalised adjustments required for individual students to access, participate and achieve in learning. An ILP is developed by a collaborative team consisting of parents/carers, the student where possible, the school principal or delegate, the DECO (Disability Education Coordinator), teachers and other relevant professionals and agency representatives.
The Learning HUB
The Hub is a designated space staffed with Learning support assistants to support student learning. It provides a safe and welcoming environment for students to regularly study and catch up on work they have not been able to complete in class. It is also a space for students to be able to sit, relax and focus positively on their school day.
The Learning HUB is available to all MCSS students throughout the day. The students can access the Hub for many kinds of support including:
Study skills
Organisation skills
Clarifying work
Practising tests
Finishing workbooks
Calm down and reset to return to class