Christadelphian Heritage College Sydney

Our Vision To bring glory to God by working together as a community providing quality christian-based education. Our Mission Christadelphian Heritage College Sydney strives for:

• wisdom, reflecting christian values in its organisation, teaching and practices, to provide a caring and safe environment
• knowledge, developing life skills in children and building strong partnerships with our families
• excellence, optimising the capacity of each student to achieve his or her potential in academic, spiritual, moral, personal and creative spheres

Our education programs are based on Bible principles and so seek to instil in our students the Gospel values of faith and hope in God and love for one another. Students are encouraged to become confident, active, self motivated and to pursue excellence in all areas, both academic and non-academic. Commitment to truth, sound judgement and ethical conduct is identified, acknolwedged and celebrated. Personal responsibility, leadership and initiative fosters opportunities for a positive contribution. Respect for God, respect for others, respect for self. Nurturing a caring community, looking out for others and providing for their needs. Promoting an active involvement in the partnership between home and school, to model the strength of teamwork.

Positive attitudes and work habits are so important to academic success. These, along with guidance and support are essential elements in a child's development. This then leads us to accept that 'schooling' is not just covering a set syllabus or completing set tasks. It is more about encouraging students to love learning, to want to improve and desire to participate in their development.

Christadelphian Heritage College Sydney is relatively small and this enables the staff to "know" the students - their needs, abilities and interests. Because of these smaller numbers, financial restraints mean that less elective classes can be run. Despite this, the College is committed to allowing students to follow the subjects of their choice through to HSC level, through external providers if necessary. Heritage also appoints dedicated, capable, and qualified staff to provide high quality programmes in all availble school-based subjects.

The goal of our Learning Support Unit at CHCS is to provide students with the social, emotional and academic support that they require to reach their full potential. Learning Support Unit staff work with parents to ensure the continuity of the programs. Admission to the Learning Support Unit is taken on a case-by-case basis and is contingent upon the ability to match student needs with the level of service that is available at the time. There may be students for whom we are unable to provide the required services.

The Learning Support Unit Provides services that include assessment, academic support, writing and implementing programs, assisting classroom teachers to modify instructional strategies and content as well as withdrawal of students for individual or group intervention.

Learning Support staff  liaise with classroom teachers and may from time to time recommend outside professionals to provide therapy to the student such as Speech Therapists, Behavioural Optometrists, Occupational Therapists and Paediatricians.

Students who have been identified as requiring extra support with literacy will be assisted by Learning Support staff to ensure that the required intervention is established. This may take the form of extra time, coloured paper, assistive technology, or a reader/writer for examinations etc. Applications for Special Provisions in NAPLAN and Higher School  examinations are also co-ordinated by the Learning Support Unit via DET or Board of Studies on behalf of the student.

Students arriving at CHCS from a N.E.S.B (Non-English speaking background) who have been to an I.E.C (Intensive English Centre) and are placed in a mainstream class are eligible for additional support through the E.S.L Program. Placement is available for Phase 1 and 2 Students. Students are assessed and taken into the program on a case by case situation. Students will receive withdrawal support, in class team teaching, task modification assistance as well as homework support. The program is organised into three strands:
• Oral interaction (listening and speaking)
• Reading and Responding
• Writing
Students that participate receive weekly homework activities that they are to complete out of class time.
Assessment is based on the E.S.L scales and are reported on twice yearly during common reporting times.