Support and Extension Programs

In catering for the individual needs of students, Mount Ridley College is focused on implementing a Teaching and Learning program which builds on students’ skills and confidence.  Students who are challenged by literacy and numeracy learning requirements are identified early to provide intervention programs that extend their basic skill levels.  Teaching and Education Support staff are utilised to work with both individual students and small groups of students.  Students who qualify for support under Disability Inclusion funding are provided with specialised assistance.

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An Oral Language Program operates in the Early Years Mini School.  Current research shows that, in order to achieve success in reading and writing, students need to be able to communicate effectively when asked to speak the English language. Students vary in their ability to use their existing language to learn.  At Mount Ridley College, Prep students attend sessions in a specially equipped classroom where oral language and co-operative developmental play is supported by purpose-designed activities. The students are encouraged to share their experiences at the end of the sessions. A Language Support Program also operates in the Early Years Mini School for students from Prep to Year 4.  Students with specific language delay or disorders participate in a specialised program to assist them in developing their understanding and use of the English language. These students work individually and/or in small groups with a teacher.

Literacy & Numeracy Early Intervention Program (LNEIP) and Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Program (KLNP)

Our College takes part in the Literacy and Numeracy Early Intervention Program (LNEIP) and the Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Program (KLNP), a Victorian Department of Education initiative that provides additional support for students in Years P-6 who are performing below expected levels in literacy and/or numeracy.  Students are identified through system data and school-based processes to participate in the program. Through LNEIP and KLNP, selected students participate in small-group learning sessions (up to five students) designed to target their learning needs. These groups receive a minimum of 32 hours of support per year, using a structured sequence of lessons aligned with Victoria’s evidence-based approach to teaching literacy and numeracy. Intervention is closely aligned with classroom teaching and may include both small-group withdrawal and in-class support, to reinforce key skills and support transfer of learning. Small-group intervention is an effective way to support students who require additional assistance, forming part of Victoria’s Tier 2 response withi

n the Multi-Tiered System of Support. Our aim is to ensure every child is supported with the right learning opportunities at the right time.

Homework Club

After-school Homework Club is provided for students in Years 7 to 10 who require additional support with the completion of homework and consolidating understanding of work covered in classes. These sessions are run in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) from 3:15pm to 4:15pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are facilitated by our Middle Years Literacy and Numeracy Support (MYLNS) teachers. 

Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP)

High-ability students in Years 5 – 8 are enriched and challenged through the Victorian High Ability Program (VHAP), which is an online program, delivered by Virtual Schools Victoria, run over the course of a school term. The program focuses on the learning areas of English and Mathematics and includes project-based, self-directed learning and out-of-hours tasks and activities that complement and enrich students’ learning. The selection of students is conducted cent

rally by the Department of Education (DE) and is based on NAPLAN and teacher judgement.

Middle Years Literacy & Numeracy Support (MYLNS)

The MYLNS program is incorporated into the Year 10 learning program, through our Foundation English and Mathematics classes. Targeted learning support is provided to students identified as needing additional support in one or both reading and numeracy domains in Year 9 NAPLAN.

Alumni Tutoring Program

Senior Years students can take advantage of the Tutoring Program to gain additional assistance with their work.  At the same time, subject teachers provide regularly scheduled before and after school study sessions which are aimed at supporting students in improving their knowledge and analytical skills.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Students who are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) are also offered support through our EAL program.  We adopt a tiered approach to our EAL learners, to ensure that we focus on students with the highest needs.  From Foundation to Year 9, EAL students are provided with in-class support, within their mainstream classrooms, focusing on developing literacy support strategies that can be transferred across all curriculum learning areas. Teaching and learning in EAL is supported by various data sets, including the Reading and Vocabulary Assessment Tool (RVEAL) and individualised Student Learner Profiles. Students in Years 10-12 participate in specialised classes (including EAL English and Bridging English), delivering the dedicated EAL curriculum prescribed by the Department of Education outlined in the Victorian Curriculum and VCAA Study Design.