Waverley College Learning Support Centre

The Learning Support Centre at Waverley College was established in 1996. It has been developed within the teachings of Edmund Rice.

The College's mission statement: 'To create an environment where it is possible to foster the talents of all students in the context of Faith. Our aim is education of the whole person: physically, mentally and spiritually.' reflects the values of Edmund Rice which underpin the philosophy of the Learning Support Centre at Waverley College.

The Support Centre caters for students from Year Five through to Year Twelve and was developed in a response to a need identified by the Waverley community to promote inclusive school practices. "An inclusive school is characterized by … the commitment of its community members to continually develop its capacity to accommodate a full range of individual differences among its learners." (Rogers, 1993)

At Waverley College there is a fundamental belief that that some students, because of the nature of their needs, will require a higher level of support and/or a range of instructional strategies in order to achieve full participation and the desired outcomes. This 'needs based' approach to the provision of support is the most effective means of addressing the challenge to ensure that all students gain maximum access to the curriculum as it is presented in the regular classroom.

The Learning Support Centre caters for a number of students with a diverse range of needs with varying backgrounds, abilities and preferences. These students include those who have been identified as students for whom English is a second language, students experiencing difficulties related to a disability, a learning difficulty, social behavioural or communication needs and Indigenous students.