St Marys Catholic Primary School

60 Burton Street CONCORD 2137

Tel: (02) 9744 0260 Fax: (02) 9744 5696
e-mail: info@stmconcord.catholic.edu.au
ABN: 82 780 246 140

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**** Statement of support from Learning Support Teacher ****

30th November 2014
To whom it may concern,
My name is Shani Craven and I am the Senior Learning Support Teacher at St Mary's Catholic Primary
School. Ashley Wright undertook practicum experience at the school for the Australian Catholic University
Community Engagement Program from the period of:
Monday 17th to Friday 28th November 2014.
Ashleys maturity and professionalism was evident in her dedication to the practicum experience, her
commitment to education and her capability as a teacher. She ensured she diligently observed the same
hours and conditions of normal employment, ensuring she arrived each day well in advance of the school
start time to ensure she was suitably briefed and organised for the days schedule. Ashley adhered to
appropriate dress code and presentation and engaged effortlessly and energetically in the varied nature of
our school environment.
Ashley professionally engaged with staff, students and parents at the school, being able to seamlessly adapt
her language and interaction to be age appropriate. She enthusiastically and willingly participated in all
learning opportunities, including staff meetings and development days, and confidently worked with staff and
students across Kindergarten to Year 6. Ashley co-operated passionately in all aspects of the school agenda
including the Swimming Program and playground duties ensuring maximum duty of care when supervising
students.
Ashley displayed initiative in the classroom and easily established rapport with the students. She frequently
seized opportunities to practise her commitment to learning by offering to conduct lessons for the class
teachers and conducted these with ease and expertise. Class teachers were highly impressed with Ashleys
capability and admired her calm and confident attitude, her extensive range of positive behaviour
management strategies and her varied and innovative teaching approaches which were purposeful, engaged
the students and catered for the range of diverse learning needs. Her leadership skills and positive attitude
were an asset to the classes within which she worked.
Ashley was a productive member of the Diversity Team within St Marys. She utilised her knowledge, skills
and attitudes to introduce useful technological resources that have enhanced the Learning Support profile
and my own teaching strategies. Ashley worked successfully both in whole class situations either conducting
lessons or team teaching, working independently within small groups or 1:1 with individualised programs.
Within each context, Ashley was able to effectively assess students informally and formally, provide students
with feedback on their learning, and report to myself and classroom teachers. She additionally performed a
number of diagnostic tests to to assist with the Diversitys planning of ILPs.
Ashley was an asset to the St Marys Catholic Primary School community and particularly the Learning
Support Team.
Your Sincerely,
Shani Craven
Learning Support Teacher