Student Services

Kathryn Fern Head of Dept

The Student Services Faculty consists of three sections – English Language Enrichment, Learning Support and Guidance & Counselling. Student Services’ Staff include ESL teachers, Special Needs teachers and counsellors; this maximises the use of staff expertise and also accommodates students who have learning needs arising from a number of different causes.

ENGLISH as an ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE

EAL addresses the needs of students from non English speaking backgrounds who are still in the process of acquiring English, and who have insufficient skills in English to independently participate in mainstream classes.

The goal of the EAL programme is the integration of the individual student into the school language and culture, whilst still promoting and facilitating as far as possible the maintenance of the home language and culture. It aims to develop the student’s ability to communicate effectively in English in both academic and social situations. Students receive the majority of their education within the regular class. EAL operates as a pull-out model with in-class support. EAL beginner and intermediate students are withdrawn for two to five periods a week. During this time teachers work with students on the language, skills and concepts required to participate in mainstream classes and to function socially within the school and wider community. In withdrawal classes, EAL teachers also raise awareness of grammatical patterns and focus on the more cognitively demanding skills of reading and writing. Whenever possible, the content of the mainstream is used as the context for learning, so that students can concurrently study the English language and subject matter. The scope and sequence of language presentation and content is dictated by the mainstream curriculum and student’s individual needs. Teachers also provide support in core curriculum areas. This support is provided either through team-teaching, working with small groups or individual help to specific students.

Individual cases are reviewed regularly by specialist and mainstream teachers and support programmes changed accordingly.

Learning Support

The department offers a variety of programme options for students in Grades 6 to 10 who have academic difficulties. Students receive the majority of their education within the regular class; in-class support and pull-out are offered where necessary. Services may be direct or indirect. Direct services may include small group in-class or pull-out support, modification of instruction, content, assignments and/or assessments, paired reading and homework assistance. Indirect services may involve collaborating and consulting with subject teachers for planning and implementing of instruction, parent and staff in-services and liaising with the community.

Learning support operates as a pull-out model with in-class support. Students requiring intensive learning support are withdrawn from modern languages for five periods a week. During this time, teachers work with students on the language, skills and concepts required to participate in mainstream classes. Whenever possible, the content of the mainstream is used as the context for learning. Teachers also provide support in core curriculum areas. This support is provided either through team-teaching, working with small groups or individual help to specific students.

Referrals can come from teachers, team leaders, the Principal, student services staff, parents, guardians or students themselves. Determination of services provided is based on several factors which could include a review of records, assessment, work samples, information from home, school reports, behavioral observations. Individual cases are reviewed regularly by specialist and mainstream teachers. IST is unable to provide support for students who require one-on-one aides or self contained placement.

Guidance and Counseling

IST offers counseling services to students and families through preventative and responsive services as well as consultation. The aim of the counseling program is to enhance the development of the whole child. Areas focus on personal, social, emotional, career, academic and college planning. All students attend one health and social education (HSE) lesson during the 10-day cycle that reinforces the IBO philosophy. Counseling groups are established on an as-needs basis. Counselors conduct parent and staff in-services and liaise with the community. Students may be referred to the counselors by any concerned party: teachers, family members, other students, administration and self-referral.

Student Services

Student Services teachers work with students who need some extra support with the regular curriculum, either because they have a learning difficulty or are new to English. Teachers work closely with subject teachers to offer in-class support as needed in English, maths, science and humanities, as well as pull-out classes (instead of taking a Language B) for students who  need a higher level of support. Some diagnostic testing can be carried out when necessary.

Student Services Teachers