Additional learning support

At Duranbah Public School, we are dedicated to supporting every student to be ready and able to learn. We provide tailored support for students with disability and additional learning needs, including adjustments to learning programs and access to specialist staff. Students can fully participate in all aspects of school life, from classroom learning to extracurricular activities. A formal diagnosis is not required to access support, which can begin at any stage of schooling. We work closely with families to identify needs early and create effective support strategies, ensuring all students have the opportunity to thrive.

Support that fits your child's needs

Some students need extra support to feel confident and do their best at school. We work closely with families to make support plans and adjustments that suits each child’s needs.

Additional learning support can include:

• teachers and support staff working together with families (and students, if needed)
• specialist support for students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)

• providing tailored programs to help high potential and gifted students with their advanced learning needs

• small group tutoring to provide targeted literacy and numeracy support for students

• regular check-ins to review and update the planned supports

• changes to the classrooms:

  • accessible classrooms
  • assistive technology
  • instructional resources

• extra guidance, simpler content or different focus during lessons

• assessment adjustments:

  • more time
  • simpler language
  • breaks during tasks
  • different ways to complete a task (e.g. oral presentations instead of written tasks).

We know when a student needs help when:

• teachers notice changes in learning or behaviour
• reviewing assessment results and learning progress
• parents and carers raise concerns or ask for support.

Adjustments are planned with parents and carers. They are reviewed regularly and changed when needed.  If you think your child may need extra help, contact us.

Learning and support team

Our learning and support team helps make sure every student gets the help they need at the right time. The team works with families, teachers and support staff to:

• understand each student’s needs
• plan adjustments and supports
• monitor progress
• connect with other services if needed.

Duranbah learning and support team include:

• Principal
• Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction
• Learning and Support Teacher (LaST)
• School Counsellor

• Student Learning Support Officer (SLSO)
• Class Teacher

Contact us to meet with a member of this team to talk about your child’s strengths, interests and areas where they may need support.

The role of the school counsellor

1. Providing counselling for students

The school counsellor offers confidential support to students who may be facing personal, emotional, social, or academic challenges. Through one-on-one sessions, the counsellor helps students develop coping strategies, improve emotional resilience, and build skills to navigate life’s challenges. Whether a student is dealing with anxiety, friendship issues, family concerns, or school-related stress, the counsellor is here to listen, guide, and support.

2. Conducting assessments to support student needs

The counsellor can also, when requested, carry out assessments that explore a student’s cognitive, behavioural, and/or emotional functioning. These assessments help identify any challenges that may affect learning, behaviour, or overall wellbeing. The results can support applications for disability adjustments or guide the development of tailored support plans, helping ensure each student has access to the resources they need to thrive at school.

Our school counselling service is provided free of charge to all students and is prioritised based on individual student needs. To access support from our school counsellor, we kindly ask parents or guardians to complete a consent form for their child. This ensures we can offer timely and appropriate assistance to every student.

If you would like your child to meet with the school counsellor, please complete the Counsellor Referral Form.

Have a question about learning support?

We’re here to talk through your options. Contact us to speak with the principal or learning and support team.

Contact us