Centre for the Enhancement of Learning
The Centre for the Enhancement of Learning, (CEL) is responsible for Diocesan’s gifted and talented programmes, Diocesan’s Thinking Skills Programme 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 with study techniques, time management and planning. Students can refer themselves or be referred by their parents, dean, subject teachers or the counsellor.
Learning support is also offered to International students and other English language learners at the Centre. These students may get support in withdrawal groups and/or in-class support by a CEL staff member.
Thinking Skills Programme
Diocesan’s Thinking Skills Programme is also administered from the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning. At Diocesan, teachers are encouraged to infuse thinking skills into subject content. The Habits of Mind are also promoted as important characteristics of a good thinker.
Gifted & Talented Programme
The da Vinci Programme provides a variety of withdrawal enrichment modules for selected students, mainly in Year 7 to 9. The aim of the programme is to encourage students’ interests in particular subjects, such as mathematical problem solving, music, creative writing, technology and history, as well as provide intellectually challenging activities. Philosophy is also offered to selected students in Years 10 to 13.
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.