Discere ProgramDiscere ProgramAn IntroductionAn Introduction

Beginnings of DiscereBeginnings of Discere

• 20022002

• Conference – Individual NeedsConference – Individual Needs

• Enrolment Issues (demand for more Enrolment Issues (demand for more places)places)

• A program to allow for intake at 7, 8 A program to allow for intake at 7, 8 and 9 leveland 9 level

• An opportunity to support the small An opportunity to support the small number of students at either end of number of students at either end of mainstream learningmainstream learning

ConcernsConcerns

• IsolationIsolation

• Out of mainstreamOut of mainstream

• Target for bullyingTarget for bullying

• Assessment and reporting Assessment and reporting

Key aspectsKey aspects

• Learning opportunityLearning opportunity

• FocusedFocused

• SupportiveSupportive

• Extending abilities of all studentsExtending abilities of all students

• Resources/staffingResources/staffing

StructuresStructures

• Key component of learning process in Key component of learning process in Discere to be ILPDiscere to be ILP

• Core curriculumCore curriculum

• Some aspects with mainstream (yr 8 Some aspects with mainstream (yr 8 INVG8)INVG8)

• Whole school reporting - VELSWhole school reporting - VELS

What is Discere today?What is Discere today?

• A unique learning program for boys in A unique learning program for boys in years 7, 8 and 9years 7, 8 and 9

• A program for those who learn differently A program for those who learn differently to the mainstream populationto the mainstream population

• Withdrawal from mainstream classesWithdrawal from mainstream classes

• Smaller class sizesSmaller class sizes

• More one-to-one contact with teachers More one-to-one contact with teachers and studentsand students

• Two streams - Blue and GoldTwo streams - Blue and Gold

Discere GoldDiscere Gold

• A program for boys who need literacy/ A program for boys who need literacy/ numeracy/learning supportnumeracy/learning support

• Assistance accessing the mainstream Assistance accessing the mainstream curriculumcurriculum

• Curriculum modificationCurriculum modification

• Assistance with organisation Assistance with organisation

• Development of independent learning Development of independent learning strategiesstrategies

• A supportive and understanding environment A supportive and understanding environment to encourage achievement and successto encourage achievement and success

Discere BlueDiscere Blue

• An extension program for boys who need An extension program for boys who need greater academic challengegreater academic challenge

• Accelerated learningAccelerated learning

• Highly motivated learnersHighly motivated learners

• High achieversHigh achievers

• An environment that encourages An environment that encourages discussion, debate, inquiry, independent discussion, debate, inquiry, independent learning, motivation and excellencelearning, motivation and excellence

How does Discere How does Discere work?work?

• Boys are withdrawn from mainstream core Boys are withdrawn from mainstream core

subject classes for participation in Disceresubject classes for participation in Discere

• They have a homeroom teacher and They have a homeroom teacher and

morning year level homeroom the same as morning year level homeroom the same as

mainstream but that teacher is a Discere mainstream but that teacher is a Discere

teacherteacher

• They have a whole Discere They have a whole Discere

homeroom/assembly once a weekhomeroom/assembly once a week

How does discere work?How does discere work?

• Core subject classes are kept small – typically Core subject classes are kept small – typically 10 - 12 students in a class10 - 12 students in a class

• Some classes will combine year levels in the Some classes will combine year levels in the stream – for example yr 7 and yr 8 Blue Englishstream – for example yr 7 and yr 8 Blue English

• Some classes will combine the streams – for Some classes will combine the streams – for example year 7 Blue and Gold example year 7 Blue and Gold Technology/Art/RE/DramaTechnology/Art/RE/Drama

• More excursions – research/real and More excursions – research/real and independent learningindependent learning

How does discere work?How does discere work?

• The program is well resourced with The program is well resourced with access to computers, student support etcaccess to computers, student support etc

• Students attend all year level,campus Students attend all year level,campus and whole school activitiesand whole school activities

• Students participate in year level sport Students participate in year level sport and have the opportunity to represent and have the opportunity to represent the college in ACC sport, performing arts, the college in ACC sport, performing arts, debating or other extra curricular debating or other extra curricular activities of their choiceactivities of their choice

How does discere work?How does discere work?

• There are less teachers in Discere than There are less teachers in Discere than in mainstreamin mainstream

• Relationships are important - Relationships are important - students/teachers/familiesstudents/teachers/families

• Testing/educational assessments may Testing/educational assessments may be requiredbe required

• A focus on developing independent A focus on developing independent learning - the ILPlearning - the ILP

The ILPThe ILP

• Independent Learning ProjectIndependent Learning Project

• Students choose something they want to Students choose something they want to learn aboutlearn about

• They develop their own research, class They develop their own research, class outlines and work towards their outcome outlines and work towards their outcome - film, novel, construction, study- film, novel, construction, study

• They reflect on their learningThey reflect on their learning

• Presentation night!Presentation night!

Why choose Discere?Why choose Discere?

• My son has always learned differently My son has always learned differently to others in his classto others in his class

• My son has been holding himself back, My son has been holding himself back, struggling to catch up so he can fit instruggling to catch up so he can fit in

• Recommendations from teachers, Recommendations from teachers, primary schoolprimary school

• Recommendations from other parents / Recommendations from other parents / studentsstudents

• Take part in a unique learning Take part in a unique learning opportunityopportunity

What if my son isnWhat if my son isn’’t in t in discere?discere?

• St BernardSt Bernard’’s College has a pastoral focus s College has a pastoral focus

• Students are identified where they may need Students are identified where they may need support or are particularly strong in certain areassupport or are particularly strong in certain areas

• Integration means being a part of the whole schoolIntegration means being a part of the whole school

• Support is available in the mainstreamSupport is available in the mainstream

• Student Support Services is for Individual Education Student Support Services is for Individual Education Plans, Integration Funding and Special Needs – Jeff Plans, Integration Funding and Special Needs – Jeff Mifsud 9289 1156/ jmifsud@sbc.vic.edu.auMifsud 9289 1156/ jmifsud@sbc.vic.edu.au

ApplicationsApplications

• Application forms are available tonightApplication forms are available tonight

• Downloadable from SBC websiteDownloadable from SBC website

• Some information from primary school is Some information from primary school is very helpful and provides a contactvery helpful and provides a contact

• Students can start thinking about the ILPStudents can start thinking about the ILP

• Application forms to be signed by Application forms to be signed by parents and studentparents and student