Learning

At our school, we teach the NSW curriculum and offer many different subjects to support each student’s learning. We know that development of skills in literacy and numeracy are the building blocks for learning and for everyday life. Our teachers use effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals.

The Learning centre (years 7-10)

The learning centre at Rivendell offers a structured, supportive and academically rigorous environment that provides students with the skills, confidence and readiness needed to successfully achieve their schooling goals.

By bridging the gap between therapeutic support and mainstream school settings, the leaning centre provides students with the opportunity to engage in a more conventional academic experience, whilst continuing to receive tailored learning and wellbeing support.

Our school philosophy, 'The Rivendell Way', synthesises the evidence-based frameworks of Cognitive Load Theory, AVID pedagogy, and the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME). This philosophy is intricately embedded in our school's explicit teaching practices. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.

The learning centre at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.

Our learning approach includes:

• real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
• technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
• flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
• community connections: through excursions and local programs.

This approach fosters an environment that enhances literacy and numeracy outcomes, boosts attendance and prepares students for post Rivendell pathways.

Senior students (years 11-12)

Senior students attend Gna Ka Lun, Lawson, Sulman, Walker, and Yaralla programs.

Rivendell School continues to develop numerous programs to support students with their academic studies and transition.

Senior students are supported academically through collegially established strategies outlined in their individual plans. Students have the option to undertake preliminary and higher school certificate subjects through a pathways mode of study. This may involve academic study onsite at Rivendell, combined with offsite study at another educational setting.

Each senior student has individual personal goals and plans for their educational or working life after school. The flexibility of the senior programs at Rivendell reflects this and caters for individual students by supporting transitions to work, TAFE, university, further study or other post-school options.

Why choose us for your child’s learning?

Helping students progress

We support every student’s academic progress by:

• checking their progress and giving clear and timely feedback
• setting learning goals with each student
• giving extra help with personalised plans and support from specialist staff
• reporting on each student’s learning progress so parents and carers know how their child is doing

• providing targeted literacy and numeracy support in small groups
• making wellbeing part of everyday learning
• working with families to support learning at home and school
• helping students through transitions, like starting school or moving to a new stage of learning

Learn more about additional learning support at our school.

Want to know more about our subjects?

We can connect you with the right teacher or staff member.

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