Further information about these programs and services is available from your local diocesan Catholic education office or your child’s school.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Ongoing educational, pastoral and cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is provided through school-based curriculum initiatives. Schools develop, implement and evaluate individual learning plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as required. Effective links are established with Aboriginal community organisations, with Koorie education personnel, student support schemes and funding where available.
The Opening the Doors Foundation is an initiative of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry which provides assistance to parents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who attend Catholic schools in Victoria. It assists parents to choose and successfully maintain a positive educational environment for their children.
For more information, visit www.openingthedoors.org.au or call 03 9443 9070.
Anaphylaxis Management
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which requires life-saving medication. A severe allergic reaction usually occurs within 20 minutes of exposure and can rapidly become life-threatening. Anaphylaxis must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention.
Each Catholic school in Victoria has an Anaphylaxis Management Policy which includes the training of relevant staff. A medically approved individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan is developed for each student at risk and parents are required to provide this plan and their child’s EpiPen® to the school.
CECV Intervention Framework
The CECV Intervention Framework has been developed by the CECV in the context of the values and beliefs of the Catholic Church and the mission of Catholic schools in their communities.
The CECV Intervention Framework provides a structure for educators to work in teams to best understand and meet the learning needs of students. This better equips schools to meet compliance requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and to fulfil their commitments arising from the Catholic education ethos of an inclusive approach to meeting the needs of all students.
Gifted students
Catholic schools make provision for high-achieving and gifted students in a variety of ways. The Catholic Education Office in each diocese offers educational consultancy and access to resources to assist schools in identifying gifted students, assessing their specific needs, and making appropriate programming recommendations.
New arrivals program – English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)
Consultancy services and funding are available to schools to meet the needs of newly arrived students requiring support with learning English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D).
Referral Services
If required, primary school students at Catholic schools in Victoria may access the services of:
- psychologists
- speech pathologists
- visiting teachers (hearing impairment, vision impairment, physical/chronic health impairment).
Royal Children's Hospital @ Home
The CECV has formed a partnership with the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, to provide a service to schools for students with complex medical needs requiring specialised training.
Specialised therapy in schools
Catholic schools in Victoria work in collaboration with specialised organisations in developing learning programs for students with special needs and these are tailored to meet the requirements of the individual student. Students who have a physical, chronic health impairment or multiple disabilities and require physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy as an integral component of their school program may be referred for specialised therapy. Programs by Scope Victoria are provided.
Students with Disabilities (previously Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs (LSNLN))
The objective of the Students with Disabilities (SWD) program is to improve participation and learning outcomes of educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in literacy and numeracy, by contributing funding for additional teaching and learning assistance.