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Learning Enrichment and Program Support (LEAPS)

LEAPS provides Learning Enrichment and Program Support for students. The LEAPS team is committed to assisting and enriching the learning experiences of students to maximise their potential and educational outcomes. The team consists of the LEAPS Coordinator/teacher, Enrichment Teacher and Learning Support Assistants. The department collaborates with parents, teachers and other specialists to form a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting students and their learning needs. Program Support Group meetings for identified students are held and Individual Learning Plans implemented.

LEAPS administers assessments, recommends strategies and resources, liaises with staff and others, and provides intervention or enrichment. Students receive support within their classroom or work in small groups or individually in the LEAPS/Enrichment areas. LEAPS assists in a range of subject areas as well as in the development of social, organisational, study and homework skills.

 

LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAM

In Class Support

  • Provided by Learning Support Assistants in a range of subject areas.

Literacy

  • Foundational skills in reading, spelling, comprehension, grammar and written expression are taught by the LEAPS teacher in small group sessions at Years 7 and 8.
  • In-class Learning Support assistance in a range of classes.
  • Individual Education Plans are established for students requiring a modified curriculum.

Numeracy

  • The Foundation Maths program from Years 7-10 provides smaller class size and Learning Support Assistance.

Social Skills Classes

  • Small groups of students are invited to participate at lunch time. Each session focuses on skill building activities using a game to enhance students’ social skills.

Homework Club

  • Students requiring additional support and assistance in completing their homework are invited to attend Homework Club. Individual help is provided in a small group setting guided by a Learning Support teacher and Assistant.

 

ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

The Secondary Enrichment Program offers exciting and challenging initiatives that provide students with the opportunity to attain their God-given potential in their higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, and to embrace an array of creative endeavours. Secondary students have an eclectic selection of enrichments initiatives to choose from throughout the academic year:

  • CSEN Masterminds Academic Interschool Competition in which pairs of students from competing Christian Schools face off against each other in specialist subjects.
  • CSEN interschool debating for Junior and Senior Secondary students.
  • Debaters Association of Victoria: Interschool Public Speaking.
  • Junior Schools Program (DAV) dedicated to training junior students in the art of debating. This training session is followed by three “friendly” debates.  
  • Julie Arliss: Junior Gifted and Talented Conference for students aged 12 to Academy Conferences runs the largest series of national conferences in Australasia and the UK, providing an inspirational and thought-provoking atmosphere for academically gifted pupils.
  • Da Vinci Decathlon (MLC) for Year 7-10 students. The Da Vinci Decathlon is an academic interschool Gala Day in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon. Students are required to complete a series of challenging interdisciplinary tasks in a timeframe working in teams of eight.
  • PESA Plain English Speaking Awards (VCAA). The Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) is a public-speaking competition for students aged 15-18 years. PESA provides an excellent opportunity for students to build self-confidence and extend their skills in oral communication, speech writing and research.
  • John Button School Prize. The John Button School Prize awards the best essay on a subject concerning Australia’s future by a Victorian student who is in Years 10 to 12 and is younger than 19 years.
  • SparkLit Teen Christian Writers Award. The Australian Christian Teen Writer Award discovers and nurtures writers of the future. The winning work will explore a Christian perspective or theme and incorporate, explain or encourage Christian life and values.
  • Dorothea MacKellar Poetry Writing Competition. Open to all groups.
  • The Prime Minister’s Annual Spelling Bee
  • Somerset Creative Writer’s Competition
  • Somerset Creative Poetry Competition

As well as these extracurricular activities, there are a number of incursions that take place throughout the year such as:

  • The WCC Literature Competition in Term Four.
  • The Slam Poetry Competition where a Christian Slam Poet performs his art to our Year 9 cohort. This provides our students with the opportunity to showcase their own poetry skills.
  • The Year 9 interclass debating competition: an extension to the unit of work in English: Analysing Argument.
  • The Harkness Discussion is a teaching and learning method involving students seated in a manner that facilitates the discussion of complex ideas in an encouraging, open-minded environment with only occasional or minimal teacher intervention.
  • Socratic Circles: academic discussions that take place in Year 10 English classes based on texts studied throughout the year.