“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6.
St Augustine’s School recognises each student as being on their own learning journey. At times, students may experience specific learning difficulties or be exceptional in their learning. The Diverse Learning Centre (DLC) is the epicentre for providing this support in the school.
Children with Specific Learning Difficulties
Students identified with a disability or significant learning needs are enrolled through a supported enrolment process. This is to ensure that the school is best placed to meet the student’s needs. This process includes a member of our Learning Support Team.
The support given relates to disabilities or difficulties in a student’s learning and/or behaviour, regardless of the cause or circumstances. Students do not need to have a verified disability to access learning support.
When teachers become aware that a child has learning difficulties, this is brought to the attention of the Principal and the DLC. Appropriate referral forms are completed and appropriate intervention provided in accordance with the school’s capacity to resource.
The School’s DLC is comprised of the Leader of Diverse Learning team and support staff. Teachers and Catholic Education Services support staff are available for consultation by appointment.
Further information about Diverse Learners is available on the Cairns Catholic Education website.
Indigenous Education
St Augustine’s School is committed to building respectful and complementary relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians and peoples who share our place.
We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we are meeting – Kuku Yalanji People
The Kuku Yalanji people are the Indigenous inhabitants of the land and have a history dating back 50,000 years to the earliest human occupation of Australia. They are true rainforest people, living in complete harmony with their environment.
We also acknowledge the contributions of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to the education of all children and people in our country Australia, in which we all live and share together.
While Indigenous cultures are highlighted where possible throughout the year, we celebrate them in a special way each year at the time of NAIDOC.
St Augustine’s School has an Indigenous Liaison Officer whose role is to assist Indigenous families and students to belong to and connect with the school community. We welcome and encourage our families to be actively involved in the life of the school and their children’s education.
Exceptional Learners
The successful achievement of educational outcomes, set by Government and Catholic authorities, are supported at St Augustine’s through quality teaching and learning. To access the full range of educational opportunities and to achieve success, some students require additional support.
Our School takes great pride in the level of expertise of our dedicated teachers and school officers who work hard towards achieving the best outcomes for all students. Staff are provided with high quality professional development to assist them in understanding and addressing the diverse learning needs of students.
Teachers have high expectations of students, providing them with adjustments to support their learning needs, and rigorous and meaningful learning opportunities. Parents are valued at St Augustine’s and are part of the development and implementation of learning and support plans.
School staff also work in partnership with the Student Services Team at Catholic Education Services, accessing specialist services, programs and resources. This enables us to offer the best of services to all students and their families.
Gifted and talented students are not overlooked in this process. Staff are trained to identify and identify high-potential learners and plan programs to promote high achievement and talent development of all students.