Support unit
The Special Education Faculty has a total of three classes that cater for the specific learning needs of students from Year 7 to Year 12.
There are two classes specialising in support for students with an intellectually moderate disability - IO:
- Olley Class – Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9
- Nolan Class – Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12
There is one class specialising in support for students with an intellectually mild disability - IM:
- Preston Class – Years 7-12
Curriculum
Students access a broad and rigorous curriculum of study that caters specifically to their educational and social needs. Each class operates as a discrete class and accesses their core subjects within the Special Education Faculty.
For Design and Art based subjects, students access the specialised staff at the school.
Curriculum subjects include:
- English
- Maths
- HSIE – History and Geography
- Science
- Art
- Design and Technology
- Music
- Languages
- Drama
The programs of study encourage students to engage in academic, sporting, school leadership and social opportunities allowing them to explore areas of strength and interest.
Additional programs
Community access – Olley Class
Students in Olley Class have the opportunity to participate in a ‘Community Access' Program. The main aim of this program is to foster and develop practical social and living skills. Once a fortnight students participate in activities that develop skills in the following areas:
- travel training; train travel, bus travel, light rail and pedestrian skills
- financial literacy
- communication in the community.
Students have travelled to some of these places:
- Sydney Easter Show
- Powerhouse Museum
- Local Library and shops
- Sydney Opera House
Eco schools garden – All classes
As a part of the science curriculum students in all of the classes work to support the development of the kitchen garden. Students plan the items for planting and work together to maintain and nurture the plants to full growth and ready for harvest. Once the produce is ready for eating students work this into the menu in their food technology lessons.
Work place studies and Tafe
As students progress into their senior years at high school they are encouraged to engage in activities that foster and develop their independence as well as their social skills within real life situations. These courses are not mandatory but do provide a relevant and appropriate pathway for many students.
Work experience – Preston Class
- Available for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 IM class
- Provides students with a diverse range of real life experiences developing skills specific to the workplace
- Provides students with an opportunity to both interact and socialise in a setting outside of school.
- Students are released from school one day per week.
Work experience – Nolan Class
- Available for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 IO class
- Provides students with a diverse range of real life work place experiences in a supported environment assisting students in developing essential basic skills.
- Provides students with an opportunity to both interact and socialise in a supported setting outside of school.
- Operates one day per week at one of the following venues; Afford or Achieve.
TAFE – Preston Class and Nolan Class
As students move into Year 11 & Year 12 they have an option of applying to study a TAFE course at one of the campuses across Sydney.
Application for these courses is done in consultation with the school to ensure the most appropriate pathway is selected. Students whose application is successful will have the chance to study off-site for one day per week.
Studying a TAFE course off-site provides a great opportunity for students to develop independence and build friendships from outside of the school environment