Cross-Curricular Programs

In the Parramatta Diocese the following programs and initiatives are available to schools:

Indigenous education

Aboriginal education is incorporated into the curriculum from Kindergarten through to Year 12. Many schools also have special Aboriginal study units such as Aboriginal Languages and Aboriginal Cultural Experiences.

Located at the Aengus Kavanagh Centre (AKC) in Mt Druitt, the Jarara Indigenous Education Unit interacts with a total of 320 Aboriginal students from across 55 primary and secondary schools. Jarara is an integral part of the system of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta and is dedicated to the education and pastoral care of Aboriginal students and their families.

In order to ensure all Aboriginal students are given the opportunity to liaise with the Jarara Unit, seven Aboriginal Education assistants are employed to assist Aboriginal students and families. These assistants spend time in students' classroom environments, liaise with teaching staff and attend school functions that are relevant to the students and families.

Support for Indigenous students in the Diocese of Parramatta is provided through:

• annual diocesan Indigenous awards night
• education and vocational camps
• supporting the work of schools in literacy/numeracy skills development
• strategies for teaching Indigenous students
• liaison with families of Indigenous students
• cultural workshops to support and strengthen identity of students

ESL

The ESL (English as a Second Language) program operates in 60 schools (K-12) across the diocese.

'Non-English speaking background' is defined as being born outside Australia with a first language other than English or Australian born with a parent or primary carer whose first language is not English. Priority is given to schools with the greatest number of new arrivals, first and second phase ESL learners.

The percentage of identified ESL students is currently 42.5 per cent of diocesan enrolment. Of these students 63 per cent are in need of assistance. Students receive specialist support from ESL teachers using a variety of support models. Primary schools in the Penrith/Blue Mountains and Hills areas are serviced by two itinerant teachers. The program is also supported by ongoing professional development in TESOL. Many ESL teachers are currently undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Literacy and TESOL.

A handbook for ESL and new arrivals is published by the diocese and can be obtained by contacting us here. 

New arrivals

The New Arrivals program provides intensive English language instruction for primary and secondary students who are migrants or refugees during their first few months in Australia. Support for primary students is provided by specialist itinerant new arrivals teachers who support children according to their needs. This support is normally provided for three to four terms. Secondary students attend the Catholic Intensive English Centre at Westmead where they receive assistance for a period of three to four terms.

Reading Recovery

The Reading Recovery program aims to help children catch up with their classmates by giving them help when they are still young. The program usually lasts for about 15 weeks and during that time the child is given an individual half-hour lesson each day, by a specially trained teacher. The program started in New Zealand and is now taught throughout the world. It has been very successful everywhere it has been adopted.

NALSAS

Since 1994 the Catholic Education Office has been part of a Federal Government funded initiative called NALSAS (National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools). Currently 43 schools receive funding for support of Asian priority languages - Japanese and Indonesian, and Asian perspectives through teacher development and resources.

An annual conference called Asian Connections has been most successful. Also, teachers have been funded for Asian study tours through the Teachers In Country Fellowship to Asia (TICFA) (part of the Asian Education Foundation). In 1999 a group of diocesan primary and secondary teachers undertook a study tour of the Philippines and Indonesia with subsequent involvement in preparing units of work with Asian perspectives for the revised diocesan religious education resource, Sharing Our Story.

LOTE (Languages Other Than English)

This program is designed to enhance language programs in primary schools and to encourage the provision of school-based LOTE, teacher professional development and resource support. There are a variety of languages including Italian, German, Spanish, French, Indonesian and Japanese. Schools have chosen languages for particular school community needs. Current languages in primary schools have strong links to the secondary programs.

Seasons for Growth - training for companions

The Seasons for Growth program is designed to assist students to understand and manage grief and loss in their lives. The inability to cope with grief resulting from the loss of a parent or significant other through death, separation or divorce can have a profound effect on a student's capacity to learn. Training is offered for any teacher or parent who would like to train as a 'companion'. This enables the teacher or parent to take small groups of students through the Seasons for Growth program.

Drug education

The misuse of drugs has become a major problem in Australia, so it is important that effective drug education is a part of the PDHPE curriculum area. The Catholic Education Office supports this important aspect of education by the provision of an adviser to assist teachers in the development of their drug education programs and many up-to-date resources, both books and audio-visuals, in the CEO library.

Road safety education K-12

Road safety education advisers support primary and secondary schools in:

• the development and implementation of road safety education programs within the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) key learning area
• whole-school planning to improve teaching and learning in K-6 and 7-12 PDHPE
• supporting K-6 and 7-12 PDHPE curriculum networks
• facilitating the professional development inservice program in K-6 and 7-12 PDHPE for the diocese
• liaising with community agencies in the areas of road safety and health promoting schools

For further information regarding any of our programs and initiatives please contact us here.