Inclusive learning support

NSW public schools are well prepared to support students with disability and additional learning and support needs and staff are ready to answer your questions.

Visit our  Inclusive learning support hub  for more information on:

• Children starting school with additional needs

• Support and adjustments available

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Support that fits your child's needs

Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make support plans and adjustments  that suits each child’s needs.

Additional learning support can include:

• teachers and support staff working together with families (and students, if needed)
• specialist support for students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)

• providing tailored programs to help high potential and gifted students with their advanced learning needs

• small group tutoring to provide targeted literacy and numeracy support for students

• regular check-ins to review and update the planned supports

• changes to the classrooms:

  • accessible classrooms
  • assistive technology
  • instructional resources

• extra guidance, simpler content or different focus during lessons

• assessment adjustments:

  • more time
  • simpler language
  • breaks during tasks
  • different ways to complete a task (e.g. oral presentations instead of written tasks).

We know when a student needs help when:

• teachers notice changes in learning or behaviour
• reviewing assessment results and learning progress
• parents and carers raise concerns or ask for support.

Adjustments are planned with parents and carers. They are reviewed regularly and changed when needed.  If you think your child may need extra help, contact us.

Learning and support team

The school’s learning and support team plays a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.

The team:

• supports teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
• facilitates and coordinates a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
• coordinates planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
• designs and implements the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
• develops collaborative partnerships with the school, parents and carers as well as other professionals and the wider school community.

For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs visit Disability, learning and support.  The team works with families, teachers and support staff to:

Our learning and support team may include:

• learning and support teachers
• school learning support officers
• school counsellors

• student support officers
• itinerant teachers for vision or hearing
• English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teachers
• Aboriginal education officers
• community and home school liaison officers.

Contact us to meet with a member of this team to talk about your child’s strengths, interests and areas where they may need support.

School counselling staff are members of the school learning and support team.

A teacher may recommend the service by referring a student to the school’s learning and support team. As a parent or carer, you may refer your child directly to the school counselling service. Students can also self-refer to the service.

The school counselling service can:

• support students who are worrying about school work, friends, getting in trouble at school or feeling down
• help parents and carers make decisions about your child’s education
• assess a student’s learning and behaviour
• help teachers and students identify and address disabilities that may affect learning
• liaise with other agencies regarding student wellbeing.

School counselling is confidential.

For more information about learning and support teams and the school counselling service, visit:

• Disability, learning and support – roles and responsibilities
• Student wellbeing – counselling and psychology services.

School Counsellor at Walcha Central School

At Walcha Central School we have a school counsellor who is available to see students on Thursday and Friday.

Secondary students can also be referred to HeadSpace, who visit fortnightly.

Appointments to see the counsellor can be made through your child's classroom teacher, year adviser or at the front office. Secondary students can also refer themselves directly.

Parents or students can also speak directly to a School Counsellor before or after school on the days that they are here.

All information shared is confidential.

Have a question about learning support?

We’re here to talk through your options. Contact us to speak with the principal or learning and support team.

Contact us