Learning Support
What are the Learning Support classes?
Havelock North High School operates one Learning Support class at both year 9 and year 10. The students are carefully selected based on their individual learning needs and requirements. The students are based in the same class for their English and mathematics lessons which provides the stability and routine required for success. The grouping of students remains constant for all other core subjects, however a teacher aid is permanently assigned to the class.
Philosophy
We provide students with support as they enter into a high school setting. The following points outline the core principles of the Learning Support programme:
- An emphasis on organisation and being prepared
- Supported learning in small groups to cover needs in core subject areas
- IEP’s (Individual Education Plans) - one per year per student at Year 9-10 level (this covers 50 students per year)
- Use of Successmaker software to enhance learning in reading, spelling and mathematics
Students are provided with supported learning in English, mathematics, social studies, science and physical education. The teacher aid provides continuity of support for many students in their option classes.
Key Skills
- organisation – how to organise yourself for the school day
- huge emphasis on the key competencies for both students and caregivers
- preparation of students to tackle unit standard subjects in level 1 NCEA
- providing vtudents with a ‘road map’ to SPEC, STAR and Gateway
90% of students get to Level 1 unit standards NCEA and pass
Quotes from 2007 ERO Report
'students are provided with supported learning in English, mathematics, social studies, science and physical education'
'students are supported by teacher aids in option subjects (ICT, soft and hard materials technology, art and languages)'
'teachers and teacher aids, working with students requiring learning support, participate in professional development to provide them with appropriate teaching strategies'
