Our Academic Services team works across the K – 12 student body, to develop a cohesive learning environment that empowers students academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
Inclusion Philosophy
Our school is one of differentiation, diversity and inclusion and we see each student as a unique learner, with unique opportunities and unique potential. We understand that some students require specific strategies to face learning challenges and others to engage more deeply in enrichment opportunities.
At HVGS, all students have equal access to the curriculum and to our broad co-curricular program, irrespective of their individual circumstances.
Student Services team
Our Student Services team includes specialised teachers, psychologists and educational assistants who offer in-class, small group, individual support and specialist programs to provide for students’ broad sets of needs. It is done within an environment of collaboration and inclusion to ensure that students stay connected and engaged with learning for the long-term.
Our Student Services team has received national recognition and acclaim for their work in a school that uses best practice to support all students.
Strategies to support learning
Here you can explore the ways we cater to each individual child’s learning experience.
Junior School Learning Support
Specialised support
Learning support in the Junior School is caring, scientific and targeted. Our Head of School works collaboratively with School psychologists, the Academic Services team, classroom teachers and educational assistants to meet all students’ needs.
Working within a Response to Intervention (RTI) framework, our approach focuses on making sure all students are literate because children who develop strong literacy skills feel the benefit of that across every other aspect of their learning and life.
RTI is a multi-tiered approach to ensuring all students flourish. It also promises the early identification and support of students with learning and behavioural needs.
- Tier 1 (One-to-many): Every child at HVGS receives excellent in-class instruction, and undertakes regular screening tests of reading ability.
- Tier 2 (One-to-few): Using the data generated from Tier 1 screening, our Educational Support Team identify any students who require assistance, arranging small-group literacy interventions. Progress is tracked for the duration of the intervention, measuring impact and success.
- Tier 3 (One-to-one): Tracking progress through Tier 2 interventions may show that one-to-one assistance is required for a student. Personalised Learning Pathways are created for students requiring Tier 3 support, and we work with families to incorporate external specialists into the child’s educational plan.
Social and emotional
Our Educational Assistants are caring and nurturing support network for children who require assistance in less structured times, especially at recess and lunch. The same RTI framework is applied to students who might require help with social and emotional learning.
Senior School Learning Support
Collaborative systems
The Student Services team works in a framework of collaboration.
Our Student Services team:
- Develops Personalised Learning Pathways (PLP’s) to support individual students and their learning needs better.
- Works with teachers to develop strategies and specialised supports for individual students unique learning requirements.
- Ensures students’ learning and wellbeing needs are documented and monitored in a centralised system, so continuity of care is guaranteed across the entire school K – 12. This is particularly important as students transition from the Junior School to Senior School.
- Seeks referral pathways for additional support services outside of the School where required.
- Works closely with school psychologists and the Wellbeing Team.
Educational Assistants
We have a large team of educational assistants employed in the Senior School who provide individualised, small group and targeted support alongside classroom teachers and the Director of Academic Services. Such a comprehensive and experienced team is quite rare in schools.
Academic Support classes
For students in Years 7 -12 who require a little more targeted instruction, our lunchtime and after school support classes are available :
- Senior Scholars (Years 11 – 12)
- Under Pressure (Years 11- 12)
- Academic Study (within the timetable for Years 9 and 10)
- Essential Skills (Years 7 and 8)
- Maths Matters (Years 7 and 8)
- Criteria Counts (Years 7 – 8)
- Wicked Words (Years 7 – 8)
- Gamesmanship groups (Years 7 – 12) – social skills program
Masterminds Tutoring Program
Students from Year 7 – 12 can access our Masterminds tutoring program, free of charge. The program offers support and extension with mathematics, English skills, general homework and assignment assistance and organisation skills.
Learning Enrichment
Our Gifted and Talented Coordinators in the Junior and Senior School support teachers to embed enrichment and extension opportunities within the curriculum and extend children upwards and sideways through the co-curricular program.
We set high expectations for all students and support them to work to their full potential in all aspects of their learning.
Specific enrichment activities include:
- Personal Learning Pathways for gifted students to ensure they are working at their full potential.
- Through the University of Newcastle, the High Performing Students Program allows exceptional Senior Students to ‘taste’ tertiary education by undertaking first-year university courses while still at school.
- Students in Year 9 undertake Personal Inquiry Projects (PIPs) across several months on a topic of their choosing. PIPs are planned, researched and ultimately presented by students to a team of teachers.
- External competitions like the da Vinci Decathlon, Australian History Competition, Newcastle Permanent Mathematics Competition, Tournament of Minds, HICES Challenges and other regional and national competitions helps gifted students ‘top-up’ and extend their learning outside the classroom.
