THE CATHERINE MCAULEY CENTRE
We recognise the uniqueness of each individual and have a responsibility to provide the highest quality education so that each student develops to their full potential.
The Catherine McAuley Centre provides a Special Education Program, which focuses on appropriate academic skills, encouraging independence, improving social/emotional competency, behaviour management development of self-care and communication skills. Students are enrolled in the mainstream school and access the support of The Catherine McAuley Centre.
PROGRAMS
The students are all valued as learners and work from their own Individual Education Plan (IEP) which is developed in consultation with parents, Catherine Centre teacher, mainstream teacher, therapists and the Catholic Education Office Consultant.
Students, where necessary, are withdrawn for individual teaching and skill building in key areas so they may participate fully in the mainstream setting. Our aim is to provide each student with the necessary skills to allow for a successful transition to high school.
INCLUSION
The children take part in the preparation of the sacramental programs with their peers. The Catherine Centre staff support students if necessary and attend excursions, camps, sports days and participate in the school swimming program.
All staff at St Simon Peter School promote the cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual development of students with disabilities and facilitate the purposeful inclusion of these students within the life and activities of St Simon Peter Catholic Primary School.
SPARKS
SPARKS is a program run at St Simon Peter School to cater for those children who have been identified as being academically more able or as having the potential to be so. The program has been running since 1999 and is twofold in its approach.
WITHDRAWAL COMPONENT
Children who have been identified as being in the top 10% of their year level are invited to attend the withdrawal classes. The children are withdrawn from class for 2 hours per week. They work on topics, projects and research of their choice as well as learning research and thinking skills that will allow them to become independent learners. Participation in this component also allows the children to mix with others of like ability.
IN-CLASS COMPONENT
Children will be given the opportunity to work on learning activities that are commensurate with their academic ability. This means that not all children in any one class will be working on the same material at any one time.
IGNITE
At St Simon Peter school, we have implemented an “IGNITE” program to help identified children become more positive about school, more interested in learning and more likely to achieve their potential.
The research shows that those children who are at risk of becoming disengaged in the learning process will continue to struggle throughout their schooling. We would like to help circumvent this happening by putting in place a program of early intervention.
Inclusion in the program involves the students being withdrawn from class for 1 – 2 hours a week to work with educators on a variety of hands on, academic and physical activities.
The program is designed to be a happy and positive experience with the intention of encouraging the student to begin to view school as a good place to be.
