IDL

Home
IDL

Support for Students with Diverse Learning Needs

Mater Dei Primary is committed to the development of a high-quality curriculum for all students that promotes excellence and equity in education. We have a full time Inclusive and Diverse Learning Coordinator that works with the Principal and Leadership team to coordinate this area.  All students are entitled to rigorous, relevant and engaging learning programs drawn from a challenging curriculum that addresses their individual learning needs. The NSW Curriculum recognises that the needs of all students encompass cognitive, affective, physical, social, and aesthetic curriculum experiences.

The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (MCEETYA, 2008) provides the policy framework for the Australian Curriculum. It includes two goals:

  • Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence.
  • All young Australians become successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens.
  • The Australian Curriculum in NSW has been designed to address these goals with the objectives of the Australian Curriculum being the same for all students. These objectives are based on a set of propositions, outlined in the Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools(NSW) Manual December 2017 (Section 5.3) , which guide the development of the Australian Curriculum in NSW as a curriculum for all learners. These propositions include:
  • The understanding that each student can learn and the needs of every student are important.
  • A recognition of the entitlement of each student to knowledge, understanding and skills that provide a foundation for successful and lifelong learning and participation in the Australian community.
  • High expectations to be set for each student as teachers account for the current level of learning of individual students and the different rates at which students develop.
  • The acknowledgement that the needs and interests of students will vary, and that schools and teachers will plan from the curriculum in ways that respond to those needs and interests.
  • NSW Curriculum provides teachers with flexibility to cater for the diverse needs of students across Australia and personalise learning.

Royal Far West

Royal Far West in Sydney offers integrated health, education and disability services to rural and remote communities. Mater Dei Primary works in partnership with Royal Far West to deliver evidence-informed speech, occupational therapy and psychology programs which include assessment, therapy and parent and teacher capacity building. These programs are delivered by specialist pediatric allied health staff through teleconferencing. Programs are offered to 20 percent of our Kindergarten cohort and limited places are available to students across other grades who may require additional support.