Last Update June 2010
Learning Centre 2010
The Learning Centre aims to provide early intervention and assistance to learners experiencing any type of learning difficulty or other problem that hinders them from coping academically or functioning at full potential. Mrs. Helen Summers, a qualified remedial therapist, who has taught numerous subjects to different grades, runs the Learner Centre.
If a teacher feels that a learner is experiencing difficulty, the learner may be sent to Mrs. Summers, for an initial, brief, educational assessment and then the learner may attend on a more regular basis. Learners from Grade R to Grade 7 attend the Learning Centre on a small group, or individual basis once or twice a week.
The tendency is for more children from the lower grades (Grades R to 4) to attend when their educators have identified them as being at risk for acquiring literacy and sometimes numeracy.
The best learning environment can be provided when there is close cooperation between all those concerned with the learners’ learning and development. In our efforts to provide the optimum learning environment for individual children who might need specific intervention, our school has a speech and language therapist, Mrs Noorulain Pandor, as well as an occupational therapist, Ms Shakira Akoojee. These therapists work on a part- time basis in a private capacity.
When further professional and specific advice is needed, referrals are made to specialists such as e.g. developmental paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, psychiatrists or psychologists. Communication and consultation among parents, teachers, therapists and specialists are recommended so as to work in the child’s best interests.
Presently there is an initiative to promote reading competency and excellence in all learners. Mrs. Summers, Ms. Lethbridge and Mrs. Sullivan (computer specialist) are implementing a reading programme in the Learning Centre and Computer room called “Reading for Excellence” which has been introduced to a number of learners from different grades.
Mrs. Summers and the parents’ cultural subcommittee are planning to begin a shared reading programme with volunteer parents who will read books together with interested and willing foundation phase learners.