Support Programs

Support Programs

Integration
Students specifically identified through the Disabilities and Impairments process are eligible for the integration program. The school’s role in supporting these students consists of setting up Program Support Groups, applying for relevant funding, developing appropriate programming and management strategies, liaising with support services and providing appropriate resources to assist students to achieve their potential. These resources include aides, support personnel or physical materials. The school provides for a qualified special education teacher with responsibility for overseeing the integration program. At Boroondara Park students with a variety of disabilities are successfully integrated into mainstream classrooms. 

Special Needs
Boroondara Park provides a range of specialist programs that work in conjunction with the classroom program to assist those students experiencing difficulty within the mainstream setting.

English as a Second Language (ESL)
We acknowledge that many students of a non-English background experience some difficulty in acquiring the required aspects of the English language to allow them to participate fully in classroom activities. Boroondara Park therefore provides a specialist teacher who delivers quality programs which caters for ESL students across the school. These programs compliment their classroom learning. Recent arrivals with little / no English are referred to the Blackburn Language School for on-site or outreach programs.

Reading Recovery
The Reading Recovery program operates solely at the Year 1 level of the school. This program has been very successful in assisting students who have not attained expected reading benchmarks at the beginning of Year One. Students in this program attend sessions on a daily basis with the Reading Recovery teacher until they reach the expected level in reading. They are then monitored to ensure adequate progress is maintained. Historically, the school has been able to provide full coverage for those students on the Reading Recovery needs list. In addition, the Early Years Literacy Coordinator targets specific students requiring additional support in reading, writing and all other aspects of language development. Reading support has continued with students requiring additional assistance at the Prep to Year 2 level. Trained volunteers also assist teachers to support the reading program in the classroom. 

Maths Intervention 
Boroondara Park has a very successful Mathematics Intervention Program operating at the Year 1 and Year 2 levels. Students are assessed to determine their level of mathematical knowledge. Those students experiencing difficulty may then work with a trained teacher, in small groups, using a ’hands-on’ approach to develop appropriate skills and gain confidence. These skills are further reinforced through the classroom programs

Prep Intervention 
All Prep students complete an auditory discrimination assessment early in the school year. This picks up on any students who will experience difficulty in following instructions and completing required tasks. Parents of students who are identified are provided with specific management strategies to assist with the development of auditory processing skills and teachers are made aware of those students requiring specific attention. These students are followed up later in the year to determine progress of auditory processing skills and to ascertain whether further intervention is required. 

Home/School Program Support Groups (PSGs)
Home/School Program Support Groups are set up to support students involved in the intervention programs. These support groups include parents, teachers and intervention staff and work to develop appropriate programming in areas of need. In many instances, specialist support personnel (Occupational Therapists, Visiting Teachers, Speech Therapists or Psychologists) attend these meetings to provide expertise in the areas of concern.