Learning Diversity – Secondary

The team aims to work collaboratively with enrolments, the Primary and Secondary schools, chaplains and advisory visiting support providers to meet the needs of students Kindergarten to Year 12 through an inclusive model. The Learning Diversity Team aims to ensure student’s academic needs are met while nurturing and supporting each individual in reaching their full potential, while becoming self-directed, resilient and long-term contributing members of the wider community. Exceptional Learners may include:

• Students with specific diagnosed learning difficulties, disorders and impairments such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical impairment, intellectual impairment, autistic spectrum disorder, speech language impairment, social emotional disorder and processing disorders.
• Students with learning difficulties; literacy, numeracy and or metacognition.
• Gifted and talented (G&T) students.
• English as an additional language (EAL) students.

In some instances, students may have multiple needs and are supported using a collaborative approach with staff, advisory support providers, families and the Learning Enhancement team. There are two core areas which we focus on:

1. Students requiring learning enhancement
2. Students with areas of outstanding potential

Students Requiring Learning Enhancement
The Learning Diversity Team works in collaboration with the teaching staff and families to identify students who may be experiencing difficulty in one or more areas. 

Students with Outstanding Potential
Students may be identified as having the potential for excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• Academic expertise
• Social skills and leadership
• Physical prowess – in particular sporting arenas
• Emotional awareness and spirituality

If students are identified, staff and families are encouraged to meet to discuss the various options for assisting and extending the student to reach their potential both within and beyond the classroom. Class teachers can challenge students to work at advanced levels and set expectations for work to be explored using higher levels of thinking. Identified students will also be supported to participate in a range of extension activities both within and beyond the classroom, e.g. competitions and tournaments aligned to their specialist area of excellence. Recognition of excellence occurs in all learning settings but is formally celebrated via:

• Weekly Secondary and College awards.
• Principal’s awards.
• Student leader positions: Secondary College Captains, Secondary Sport Captains, Secondary Leaders, Secondary Student Chaplains, Secondary Student Representative Council.
• End of Year Speech Night Awards, e.g. Caltex All Rounder Award, President’s Scholarship – Avondale College, NCC Secondary Scholarship Awards, Australian Defence Force Long Tan Awards (Year 10 & 12), University of the Sunshine Coast’s Rise & Shine Awards, ADRA Community Service Award, Secondary College Service Award, Secondary – P & F Association Award, Secondary Student Values Award, Secondary Touch Football Awards, Secondary Year Level Awards (Academic, Sport, Citizenship, Cultural), Secondary Subject Awards, Secondary Commendation Awards, Secondary Dux Award, Regional Sport Award.