At St Clare's Catholic Parish Primary School in Narellan Vale, we are committed to supporting the diverse learning needs of all students in alignment with the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Position Paper on Supporting Diverse Learning Needs. Our approach is grounded in inclusive education, ensuring that every child has equitable access to learning opportunities that enable them to reach their full potential. The identification of students requiring additional support is guided by a range of evidence-based tools, including standardised assessments such as PAT, NAPLAN, and school-based diagnostic testing. Based on this data, Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) are collaboratively developed to outline targeted goals, strategies, and adjustments that respond to each student's unique strengths and challenges. To maintain a strong partnership between home and school, meetings with parents and carers are scheduled to meet twice a year to review progress, celebrate achievements, and adjust goals as needed, ensuring a shared commitment to each child's ongoing growth and success.

PERSONALISED PLANS

For students with diagnosed or imputed disabilities, Personalised Plans are developed by classroom teachers in collaboration with parents or carers. These plans:

• Provided targeted support to ensure active and equitable participation in school life and learning.
• They are tailored to meet the specific needs of each student, fostering success and inclusion.

To ensure these plans remain relevant and effective, the school and parents meet twice a year for scheduled reviews, allowing for regular updates, progress monitoring, and goal setting.

HIGH-POTENTIAL GIFTED EDUCATION

At St Clare's Catholic Parish Primary School, High Potential Gifted Education is a shared partnership between the school, home, and parish. We recognise the distinction between:

• Giftedness: Natural abilities that are significantly beyond age expectations.
• Talent: Exceptional achievements resulting from the systematic development of schools.

To identify giftedness:

• All Year 2 students and new enrollees complete the CoGAT (Cognitive Abilities Test), which assesses students' reasoning skills to help guide instructional decisions, identify gifted students, and provide information for high-stakes decisions.

For formally identified High Potential Gifted learners, teachers may implement individualised learning and an evidence-based and contextually appropriate High Potential Gifted Education Strategy is implemented and established in each school.

• Teachers can confidently use data sets to identify needs and inform the learning and teaching of all students, including those identified as high-potential and gifted.
• Increased use of differentiation strategies, challenging and rigorous learning experiences, collaborative structures, and assessment practices to support both student achievement and teacher expertise
• Evidence of quality differentiated learning and teaching, including high-impact strategies/pedagogies in learning and teaching programs and classroom practice
• Structures in schools to support the learning of all students are established and regularly reviewed
• Co-planning, co-construction and peer collaboration are evident among teachers and leaders in schools

Through these initiatives, St Clare's creates an inclusive and enriching learning environment, ensuring that every student - regardless of their needs or abilities - has the opportunity to thrive, succeed, and feel valued.

For more information, view our CEDoW Diverse Learning Needs Policy