Centre for the Enhancement of Learning
The Centre for the Enhancement of Learning, (CEL) is responsible for Diocesan’s gifted and talented programmes and student learning support. To further the goal of enhancing learning, any student can seek learning support at CEL at any time for any subject. The School’s most recent ERO report praised the Centre for its outstanding contribution to student results and well-being.
Learning Support
The learning support aspect of the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning focuses on helping students become effective learners. CEL staff offer students support across a wide range of subjects and they help students apply study techniques and time management skills. Students can refer themselves or be referred by their parents, dean, subject teachers or the counsellor. CEL provides support for students with identified learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, and the experienced CEL staff manage the various needs of those who are twice exceptional, (i.e. gifted with a learning difficulty).
CEL gives learning support to International students and other English language learners. These students may get support in withdrawal groups and/or in-class support by a CEL staff member.
Gifted & Talented Programme
The da Vinci Programme provides a variety of withdrawal enrichment modules for selected able students. The aims of the programme are to encourage students’ interests and talents in particular subjects and to provide intellectually challenging activities for the gifted. Da Vinci modules cover such topics as mathematical problem solving, philosophy, creative writing and some modules are integrated and relate to several curriculum areas.
Philosophy is also offered to selected students in Year 10 to 13. Opportunities in sport, leadership, the performing arts and the visual arts are provided to students across the year levels who are gifted and talented in these areas.
Future Problem Solving Programme
Future Problem Solving has become a high profile extra-curricular option for students from Year 7 to 13 at Diocesan and the School has regularly had teams qualify to attend the FPS National Finals. Diocesan FPS teams have won national titles in Future Problem Solving and this has entitled them to represent both the School and New Zealand at the International Finals in the USA the following year. Diocesan teams have performed highly at this international level on several occasions.
The programme is particularly apt in the present climate of innovative change in New Zealand education, as it fits the concept of the seamless curriculum and covers all of the essential skills of the New Zealand Curriculum Framework. Students are taught skills of creative, critical and ethical thinking within the framework of some of the world's most significant issues.