At Carmel College we endeavour to support students with different learning needs through our pastoral care and learning support programmes.

 While in Year 7 and 8 many students have the opportunity to join our Reading and Spelling Programme or RSP. This aims to improve the literacy of our students using a tutoring and phonological approach. It incorporates auditory and visual memory exercises as well as right and left brain exercises and other underpinning skills which are necessary for successful reading and writing.

In Year 9 we offer our Jenglish – Japanese and English – programme to students who would benefit from another year of extra literacy input. It is an alternative to a second language for students who would find this a challenge. It provides further consolidation of Basic English skills.

In year 11 we provide an alternative Unit Standard Course in Mathematics for a small number of students who wish to gain Level One Numeracy. Usually this is for students for whom Maths is a challenge and it is normally their last year of Maths at school.

 We currently have five teacher aides who work alongside several students in class or have individual time with some students. We offer this support in several subjects and at most levels in the school. The board has generously funded many of our teacher aide hours.

Some of our students qualify for reader writer support or extra time in assessments. To officially access this, students must have a current assessment from a recognised educational psychologist which is no more than three years old. This enables some students to have support in external assessments for NCEA Level 1-3 as well as internal assessments in class time.

We also have three RTLB working part time in our school. These Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour work with individual students requiring more support. Referrals come from our Deans, Senior Management and Learning Support Team.