Learning Support

Support for Students

Our school has a proud history of successfully bridging educational gaps for many students facing learning challenges. Some students join us with academic levels significantly below their age but leave having achieved NCEA Levels 1, 2, and/or 3, with employment prospects surpassing their expectations.

Students at HVHS are placed in mixed-ability classes but offered support as needed to allow all students to succeed regardless of physical or learning disabilities and differences.

Identifying Students Needing Support

How do we identify students needing support?

• Caregiver and whanau referral
• Self-referral
• Information from contributing schools and other agencies
• Teacher referral
• Screening on entry and at the end of each year.

Support options for students who need learning support include:

• Differentiated curriculum or strategies for teachers
• In class support from a Learning Support Assistant (LSA)
• Placement in a Supported Mentor class which has a smaller number of students and Learning Support Assistants working in the classroom
• Assistive technology for note-taking and assessments
• Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) support with a specialist teacher and Learning Support Assistant hours
• RTLB (Resource Teacher, Learning and Behaviour) support
• Year 9 and 10 Literacy options
• Year 9 and 10 Numeracy option.

Year 9 & 10 Literacy Options

There are two literacy options – one for our Neurodiverse (Dyslexia, ADHD etc) learners, and one for teaching learning strategies. The strategies option focuses on comprehension and thinking skills as well as reading and/or writing.

Year 9 Numeracy Option

Additional help is available for students in Years 9 and 10 struggling with key mathematical skills, and alternate pathways exist in the senior school to cater for all abilities.

Special Assessment Conditions (SAC)

For New Zealand’s National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) assessments, Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) can be applied for and provided to allow equitable access for students with medical, physical or learning needs.

To learn more about Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) eligibility, types, rules, submissions and how schools make SAC submissions visit the New Zealand Qualification Authority’s (NZQA) website

Learning Support Team

For more information please contact a member of our Learning Support Team.