Student Support Services

At the International School of Western Australia (ISWA), we are committed to an inclusive learning community where every student can thrive. Guided by the principles of the International Baccalaureate (IB), our Student Support Services team works collaboratively to remove barriers to learning, promote wellbeing, and empower students to develop the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

As a 3-programme IB World school, our curriculum is academically rigorous as well as holistic. Success in the IB requires students to build strong Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, including self-management, research, communication, thinking, and social skills. ISWA is committed to helping students develop these essential learning dispositions so they can confidently engage with the demands of a rigorous, inquiry-driven curriculum. We are a non-selective school, including in the Diploma Programme.

Through strong relationships, collaborative practice, and a focus on the whole child, ISWA works to remove barriers to learning and ensure every student is empowered to learn, grow, and flourish in the IB continuum.

Learning Support

ISWA’s Learning Support programme ensures that students with diverse learning needs can access the curriculum and experience success. In line with IB inclusion principles, we focus on supporting learners within their classroom environment whenever possible.

Works collaboratively with classroom teachers to differentiate teaching and learning

Provides targeted small group or individual intervention

Develops personalised support plans that reflect a student’s strengths, needs, and goals

Uses evidence-based strategies to enhance access, agency, and achievement

Engages families as partners in supporting student growth

Collaborates with external specialists when needed

Our goal is to help students become independent, confident, and self-aware learners who understand how they learn and can advocate for themselves.

As an international school with a diverse community, ISWA supports students who are developing English as an Additional Language. We honour and celebrate each student’s linguistic and cultural identity, recognising multilingualism as an asset.

The EAL programme provides:

Targeted instruction in academic English

Small group and in-class support

Strategies to help students access all subject areas

Ongoing assessment of language development across the IB continuum

Support for students transitioning into a new linguistic and cultural environment

Our EAL teachers work closely with classroom teachers to remove linguistic barriers, enabling students to engage confidently with the curriculum and with school life.

As students progress through the school, developing strong academic English becomes increasingly important. Due to the academic demands of the IB Diploma Programme (Years 11 & 12), students will need a solid command of academic language to access the curriculum, demonstrate higher-level thinking, and meet both internal and external assessment expectations. ISWA monitors language development carefully and partners with families to ensure that students are equipped with the English proficiency and Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills necessary for success in the DP.

Student well-being is integral to learning. ISWA’s School Counsellor supports students as they navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges, and helps cultivate a safe, caring school environment where all students feel a sense of belonging.

Counselling services include:

Individual support for personal, social, or emotional concerns

Small group sessions focused on friendship skills, resilience, wellbeing, or transition

Guidance during key academic or personal transitions

Parent consultations and workshops

Collaboration with teachers to promote positive classroom climates

Our Counsellor works to strengthen students’ wellbeing, self-management, and connections, which are key components of the IB’s holistic approach to education.

The ISWA School Psychologist provides specialist knowledge to support students’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioural development. Their work helps ensure that each student can access learning and thrive in an inclusive environment.

The psychologist supports the school community through:

Educational, cognitive, and behavioural assessments

Evidence-informed recommendations for learning and wellbeing

Short-term therapeutic intervention

Collaboration with teachers and parents to develop support strategies

Referrals to external services when appropriate

By identifying and addressing individual needs, the Psychologist helps remove barriers to learning and promotes student success. .

ISWA has a dedicated Wellbeing Space, a calm and welcoming space at the heart of our campus where students can connect with our Counsellor and Psychologist. Designed to promote safety, comfort, and accessibility, the Wellbeing Space provides a supportive environment for reflection, conversation, and guided skill development.

The Counsellor and Psychologist’s offices are located within this space, allowing students to access support discreetly and easily. Whether seeking guidance, exploring strategies for self-management, or simply needing a quiet moment, students know they have a trusted, calm place to go.