 Teaching and Learning
Senior & Junior Course Choice Booklet 2009 (Note: this is a link to online documentation)
Students at Dunstan Learn in a settled environment, where students and teachers enjoy positive relationships focussed on learning rather than behaviour. The supportive relationship between students and staff, as well as the strong positive relationships students form with each other, help to make Dunstan a place where students actively engage with learning. (ERO 2005)
The importance of a positive relationship between home and school is also stressed at Dunstan. Frequent contact between home and school maintains good communication and effective learning. The needs of your son or daughter will best be met when we work together to share information and support each other.
Communication
The flow of information between school and home is important to ensure students
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are aware of the shared expectations of teachers and parents.
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feel encouraged to complete high quality class work and homework.
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establish focussed work and study habits at home and school.
Homework Diary
The Student Planner contains a homework diary. Students should be recording their homework in this each day. Parents can support student learning by checking the diary weekly to ensure that student are both recording and completing their homework to the best of their ability. Parents can record notes and comments for the tutor teacher in the homework diary. Tutor Teachers will regularly review student diaries. It also has useful sections designed to help students plan their time and manage their workload. The planners are free to all students at the beginning of each year. Students and families should make time each week to review the homework diary and plan the week ahead together.
Formal Reports
Student will receive two full written reports on each subject during the year. These reports will provide a record of student achievement to date, as well as an assessment of their approach to learning and a general comment from each teacher.
These reports are supplemented by Interim reports which are completed twice each year and designed to provide a quick update on student progress between full reports.
Parent-Teacher Meetings
Parent Teacher meeting usually follow the posting home of student reports. They are an opportunity for parents, teachers and students to sit down together and discuss student progress. All parents and students are encouraged to attend these meetings as they are an important opportunity to develop a collective plan to help ensure each student is achieving their own personal best.
Learning Support
Student may require varying degrees of support in order to access the curriculum across the wide range of learning areas and essential skills on offer at Dunstan. A strong commitment is made to providing the right support at the right time for each student. This may be as little as receiving slightly different work from the classroom teacher through to withdrawal from some subjects to attend targeted leaning classes.
The process of ensuring the right support is matched to each student is achieved through the dedicated learning support team closely linked to house deans and department heads. They work together to ensure that students receive the support they need and may include:
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Targeted teacher aide assistance
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Development of IEP including time spent out of normal classes
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Referral to RTLB teacher or MOE – Group Special Education.
Extension and Encouragement:
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Subject extension programmes, examinations and competitions
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Learning to learn programmes for students and families
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Correspondence courses to meet individual needs
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Various award certificates and letters given throughout the year to acknowledge achievement
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The school library is open until 4.30 pm through the week. Extra time is organised for students close to examination time.
Mixed Ability and Broad Banded Classes
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