Supporting the learning needs of students
Our results in NAPLAN and School Opinion Surveys show that we are generally at or above the state average. Parent’s satisfaction level with our school is very high. Classroom teachers offer a differentiated learning program for students in their classes.
As part of our Quality Differentiated Teaching and Learning Framework support for students takes a variety of forms. We provide a range of programs to support the diverse needs of students, including a variety of support programs, learning extension programs through to enhancement programs.
Extension programs for high achieving students
Algester Primary School offers a number of programs to support high achieving students. To discover these programs you can view the extension programs for high achieving students.
Enhancement programs
We also provide a number of extra-curricular programs to enhance the learning of our students. Some of these include:
Instrumental Music groups
(Strings & Brass; Woodwind/Percussion) Our music groups regularly participate in interschool events and always do very well.
Physical Education Coaching sessions
Physical Education Coaching Sessions in a number of sports including touch football, rugby league, Futsal, soccer, basketball, softball and more. Some of our staff are District Coaches and Managers of sporting teams representing the school and the Region at District and State Events.
Music education
The teaching of the elements of music occurs throughout the school including some basics in music theory, singing and simple musical instruments. The school also has a Senior and a Junior Choir for students.
Library programs
Our dedicated Teacher-Librarian offers lessons to our students around how to use libraries to locate information and an appreciation of literature.
Science Club
The school offers an after Science Club for Year 5 students afternoon in our specialised Science Centre.
Interschool Sport
We offer interschool sport for our Yrs 5-6 students in a number of different sports. The school has a strong reputation in school sport and we win many competitions each year.
Coding Club
The school has lunchtime clubs for students to support them to learn about coding. We also formally teaching coding in Years 5 & 6. Algester Primary School has been recognised for its quality coding by our local MP.
English, Science & Maths Competitions
Participation is encouraged in these national competitions to help our students compete with the best performing students in the nation.
Robotics
The school teaches robotics in Year 2 & 4 and children engage in the construction and programming of simple robotic devices. The school enters Robotics competitions with other schools from time to time. We also have lunchtime robotics clubs for students in other year levels.
Makerspace
This is a special classroom space that allows students to create solutions to real world problems using a variety of resources including computers, robots, art and craft materials.
Visual Arts
The school has a special visual arts committee that advocates for this area across the school. An Arts Evening is held every two years to celebrate the Arts.
Performing Arts
Drama is taught within our classrooms as part of the national curriculum. We also teacher dance. A concert is held for the whole school once every two years to showcase the talent of our students.
Student Leadership
The school has a number of leadership programs for students to encourage them to develop these skills.
Bring Your Own Device
Students use iPads to develop their learning in new and exciting ways far beyond what was possible with just pen and paper practices in the past. Students will use pen and paper like their peers but the iPads enhance their learning significantly. Students bring their own iPad at Algester Primary School or share with other students in a 1:2 ratio.
The Hub
Supporting Children with Learning Needs
Schoolwide Support Programs
The framework for support provisions at Algester varies from year to year based on several factors including school priorities, staffing allocations and the needs identified in the school data.
The Support Teachers: Literacy and Numeracy (STLaN) work collaboratively with class teachers to develop and implement targeted support programs for identified students in the areas of Literacy and Numeracy. The current support provisions are primarily an in-class model.
Supporting students within the classroom environment takes many forms and may include:
Content - individual task specific goals to be developed
Process - the ways in which student's learn
Product - documented evidence of student's learning
Environment - the physical and emotional setting of the classroom
Some specialised intervention programs are also provided for additional support for students that take place using a classroom withdrawal model, usually with a teacher aide and a small number of students. The school's programs are:
MiniLit (Prep-Year 1)
MacqLit (Year 2-6)
Rip-It-Up Reading (Year 3-6)
Black Sheep Oral Language Program (Prep)
Move to Learn Program (Prep)
Support-a-Talker & Story Club (Prep)
Special Education Program
Algester Primary School has a special education program that supports students who have a verified disability in any of the following categories: ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder; ID – Intellectual Disability; SLI – Speech Language Impairment; HI – Hearing Impairment; VI - Visual Impairment; and PI – Physical Impairment.
This program supports students according to goals set in their IEP’s (Individual Education Plan) and ILP's (Individual Learning Plans). Sometimes, this support will take place on an individual or small group basis, at other times the SEP teachers will support the students within their classrooms.
Guidance Officer (GO)
The Guidance Officer works with the Administration Team and as part of the Student Services Team. Teachers, parents and students can initiate a referral to the Guidance Officer through the Student Services Team.
Concerns raised are usually of a behavioural and/or learning nature. Ways to solve issues cover collaborative consultation, problem-solving, counselling and contracting, teaching, referral to out-of-school agencies and assessment and reporting.
The Guidance Officer will work with referred clients to:
- identify concerns
- discover ways to solve the problem
- determine responsibilities
- monitor change
- develop a picture of how things may change when the problem is solved.
Speech Language Pathologist
A Speech Language Pathologist provides speech language assessments and programs for children experiencing difficulties in speech language development. Referrals to the Speech Language Pathologist can be made by class teachers through the Student Services Team.
English as an Additional Language/Dialect Teacher
Our school provides assistance to students who are more proficient in a language or dialect other than Standard Australian English and need support to develop proficiency in Standard Australian English. On enrolment, the EAL/D Teacher assesses the needs of a student and a whole-school approach supports EAL/D learners. The type of support is dependent on EAL/D learner’s level of English language proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
School Chaplain
Scripture Union QLD chaplains, or 'chappies', provide spiritual and emotional support to school communities. They are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown and loneliness, to drug abuse, depression and anxiety. They provide a listening ear and a caring presence for kids in crisis, and those who just need a friend. They also provide support for staff and parents in school communities.
School chaplains are unique:
They are a support conduit – connecting students (and school staff) to specialist services in the community such as welfare groups, counselling services, medical services and community groups in consultation with School Principals.
They build relationships with students (and staff). They are a trusted adult in the playground and in the classroom – offering a listening ear to students who want to share their problems and experiences.
Their role is to contribute to the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of the school community.
They are seen by students as an adult who is not a part of the school’s authority structure. Scripture Union is the employing authority for the school chaplain and they have information about school chaplaincy programs on their website.