The Student Support Team is a collaborative approach to dealing with behavioural, academic and/or emotional problems that students may encounter in the school and home environment.
The team is composed of a member from the Leadership Team, usually an Assistant Principal; the Support Teacher:Inclusive Education (ST:IE); the Guidance Counsellor; the Classroom Teacher, and sometimes specialist agencies involved with the child. The team usually meets once a week between 8:00am and 11:00am. The team assists the parents and teachers in developing a plan for supporting the students and then evaluating the effectiveness of the plan with a view to future planning.
The Student Support Team process is an effective, proactive approach to problem solving at Marymount Primary School. In some cases, concerns can be addressed in one session while in other situations the support may be ongoing. Sometimes there is a need to refer parents to other agencies (e.g. a Speech and Language therapist). The problems that are addressed are many and varied. Anxiety, lack of concentration, an inability to make friends and delayed progress in learning, are illustrative of the types of issues that are addressed.
By tapping into the collective wisdom of the group, the team is able to assess performance, discuss relevant background issues and pool ideas on effective means of supporting a child's learning and development.
The support team convenes to share vital information about the targeted student's strengths and educational needs and to collaboratively develop an effective plan to overcome any identified barriers to learning and/or to the development of pro-social behaviours.
Class teachers are given support in providing for the diverse learning needs of students in their classes.
Parents and caregivers have significant knowledge of their child's strengths and educational needs. Their insights and ideas are especially valued in the support team process.
Team members bring a diversity of expertise, perspectives and ideas to the process. Collaborative problem solving generates creative solutions.
The team takes up the challenge to support the student to overcome identified barriers to learning and/or pro-social behaviour. Building on the student's strengths is an important factor in addressing this challenge. Strategies, approaches, interventions and plans should be regularly reviewed to achieve maximum effectiveness. Effective communication is essential to success in the support team approach.
Referrals are made in the first instance to the ST:IE who co-ordinates referrals, sets meeting dates and invites participants.
Referrals may be made by parents/caregivers, class teachers, the Leadership Team and/or support personnel.
Student Support Team brochure
- Welcome and Introductions (Chair)
- Brief outline of purpose of SST meeting
- Parent (or other appropriate team member) is invited to share
student's 'background story' including perceptions of strengths and
educational needs.
- Team members are invited (in turn) to share information or insights
(from their expertise/perspectives) about the student's strengths and
educational needs.
- Clarifications (if necessary)
- Generation of ideas/solutions
- Plan of action is developed (includes what, who, when, etc)
- Review process is established
- Summary
Minutes are recorded, to be distributed to team members.
BA, GradDipPsych, BBehavSc (Psych)(Hons), MPsych (Ed&Dev) B Soc Sci (Psych) (Honours), M Ed Psych, QCT registered
Monday - Friday Wednesday - Thursday
As Marymount Primary's Guidance Counsellors we work collaboratively within the school community to promote and foster the achievement, participation, development, mental health and wellbeing of all students. We provide support to students dealing with situations or difficulties that negatively impact upon their wellbeing or opportunities to learn such as changing family circumstances, social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, as well as academic concerns. We are able to support students in times of crisis and to provide short-term counselling and referral services where appropriate. Most students who we see are referred by concerned parents or teachers, or through the school Leadership or Student Support Team. As Psychologists we have considerable experience working with children, their families, peers and teachers to develop strategies, skills and support systems that enable students to manage and overcome a range of challenges.
To discuss support options please talk to your child’s teacher, or contact you may contact us directly on 5520 8484.
© Brisbane Catholic Education, Marymount Primary School (2022)