Learning Diversity

Sacred Heart has long been acclaimed for its exemplary approach to supporting children who have additional learning needs.

At Sacred Heart, Learning Support is based on the Response to Intervention (RtI) framework and the terms are used interchangeably. Through RtI, we consistently use data to identify students at risk of poor learning outcomes, monitor progress, provide research-based interventions and adjust the intensity and nature of these interventions depending on student response. This enables us to identify and provide for the needs of all students.

We allocate significant school resources to Learning Support, and staff this area of the school with experienced educators who are committed to enhancing the learning and well-being of our students. Our Learning Diversity Leader leads a team of Learning Support Officers (LSOs) and also a Wellbeing Officer, Wellbeing Teacher and allied health services from Lime Therapy and the wider community.  They have a dedicated work area and liaise closely with classroom teachers, other staff and families. Our Learning Support Officers also support students in their classes. The overall role of the Learning Support Team is to provide additional school-wide time and support to ensure all students achieve academic, well-being and behavioural success.  Please see the video to get a sense of how our dedicated Learning Support area operates.

Sacred Heart has available for use a variety of researched and evidenced-based intervention programs. The Learning Support Team are trained to implement these and they include academic, behavioural, wellbeing and special interest interventions and programs.

We recognise that children who are gifted and/or talented may also be at risk and also require special provisions. We meet these needs in a variety of ways. Catholic Education Ballarat offers educational consultancy and access to resources that assist schools to identify gifted students and make appropriate programming modifications.