It has been very busy at the start of the school year in Learning Support and we are proud of the way students have started the year with a proactive  and mature approach to their studies. Learning Support at SJE encompasses two Support Classes, the Junior MC and the Senior MC classes, but we also support approximately 21% percent of students in mainstream classes. Students in mainstream classes are sometimes supported with additional staff in classes, our amazing Student Support Officers, to help students understand what is expected of them and how to attack a particular activity. Other students attend interventions on a regular basis to support their learning, these interventions include MacqLit, Assessment Support and Numeracy Support. Mostly, students are supported by their teachers in classes, adjusting teaching and learning to meet the needs of students. Supporting students in their learning, whether the student requires additional support or not, really takes a team effort. At SJE our team is strong and in that team we include the students themselves, parents/guardians, class teachers, their coordinators, SSOs, Leadership and the Learning Support Team, as well as a myriad of external support agencies we work with. Thanks for everyone’s continued efforts to support the teaching and learning of students at SJE.

DOGS CONNECT - RIOT, OUR WELLBEING DOG

This year, SJE will continue its relationship with Dogs Connect, undertaking a Mentorship Program with our new dog, Riot. Dogs Connect report on their website that, “evidence shows that just by being near a dog when stressed can reduce anxiety. In one of our surveys, 92% of students said they felt more relaxed during teaching and learning time when there was a dog in the classroom. We all know when children are more relaxed and less stressed, they’re going to learn more.” So far Riot has been ticking this box in small group settings with students. Belle, spoke recently on assembly to inform the whole school community about the 3 rules for helping Riot feel relaxed and happy at school;

1. Talk to the person not the dog
2. Give Riot space (don’t crowd)
3. Don’t stare at him

JUNIOR MC SUMMARY

A very busy start to the school Year in JMC. The new Yr 7 students have coped well with starting high school. Yr 7 Camp was a great success with students enjoying all the activities and happily making new friends. Another highlight of Term 1 for JMC was the “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs Excursion at the Australian Museum in Sydney, where we got to experience many wonders of Ancient Egypt. This was a once in a lifetime experience!! 

Over the last few weeks JMC in Mathematics have been learning about the types of angles. Our students discovered acute, obtuse and right angles in our JMC classroom, here are some of the best we found… 

The students in the JMC have also been very engaged in their English topic of Creative Writing in the Fantasy Genre where they are currently busy finishing their Fantasy story ready to publish.

SENIOR MC SUMMARY

The SMC have been bustling with activity and achievements! Congratulations to Belle who presented at assembly and Harry who assisted with the clap sticks. 

Harry took on the role of Easter Bunny with a thoughtful gesture of delivering homemade Easter eggs.

The class has been enjoying food technology preparing a variety of nutritious meals, performing various science experiments and participating in agriculture feeding and caring for the animals. 

Year 12 have been exploring post school options and have been gaining practical work skills along the way.  The students will engage in further opportunities to expand their life skills ready for their future

LOOKING FOR READERS AND WRITERS ADVERTISEMENT

One of the adjustments NESA allows for students with either diagnosed disabilities or specific learning challenges, is to have a reader or a writer in formal examinations and in class tasks. (There are specific criteria to be eligible). Usually the reader or writer is a student from the year level below. Readers and writers need to have strong literacy skills and be able to read fluently and accurately. If writing for an exam, they need to be able to write with correct spelling independently. Being a reader or a writer for examinations earns community service points, looks fantastic on scholarship applications and is a way to serve the community in a very tangible and meaningful way.

If you are interested in being a reader or a writer, please see Miss Denny in Learning Support. We need you!

Ms Jane Denny

Special Education Coordinator