The Special Education Faculty consists of two classes catering for students with a moderate intellectual disability and one class for students with a physical disability. The faculty is also responsible for the Peakhurst Campus Learning Support Team who cater for mainstream students who have learning difficulties, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, hearing and vision impairments and other health disorders.
The Special Education Faculty has a Head Teacher, four Classroom Teachers, a Support Teacher Learning Assistance and full time and part time Learning Support Officers.
Staff Members
| Mr S. Wilson | – Head Teacher |
| Mrs S. Wagener | - Classroom Teacher (Head Teacher Administration) |
| Mrs M Edwards | – Classroom Teacher |
| Mrs B. Barnfield | – Classroom Teacher |
| Ms J. Picone | – Classroom Teacher |
| Mrs J Jarman | – Support Teacher Learning Assistance |
| Mrs M. Murray | – Learning Support Officer |
| Mrs H. Meaney | – Learning Support Officer |
| Mrs M. Campion | – Learning Support Officer |
| Mrs A. Robertson | – Learning Support Officer |
| Mrs C. Deasey | – Learning Support Officer |
| Mrs S. Stimpson | – Learning Support Officer |
| Mrs S. Nescovski | – Learning Support Officer |
Curriculum
Students in the Support Class for Physical Disabilities complete a combination of Stage 4 and 5 Mainstream Curriculum and Life Skills Curriculum.
Students in the Support Classes for Moderate Intellectual Disabilities will complete Stages 4 and 5 of the Life Skills Curriculum.
A Life Skills Curriculum for students in these classes cover:
1. Continuing Education
Students achieving outcomes in this section of the curriculum will be equipped with functional reading and writing, communication and numeracy strategies that will lead to personal independence in the community. Students participate in a range of subjects. Subjects covered include English, Mathematics, Science, HSIE(Geography & History), PDHPE, Computers, Languages, Visual Arts, Food Technology, Music, Social Skills, Craft and Christian Studies.
2. Vocational Training and Placement
Students will be equipped with the pre-requisite skills, information and motivation to compete for and maintain appropriate employment and/or further training.
3. Community Living
Students are taught skills that will allow them to become independent and valued members of the community. These skills are reinforced by regular Community Access Visits to provide opportunities for practice.
4. Leisure and Recreation
Students are taught how to use their leisure time safely and productively, by choosing and participating in activities that are drawn from a wide range of options. Students are able to participate in a school camp, excursions and sporting activities.
5. Personal Management
Students are equipped with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to lead healthy and fulfilling lifestyles through personal management. This is achieved by increasing student’s awareness of issues such as assertiveness, self protection, sexuality, decision making, hygiene, grooming and nutrition.
6. Transport and Mobility
Students will be taught the skills that will enable them to move safely and easily around the community.
Individual Education Plans
Each student in a Support Class has individual educational, emotional and social needs. To cater for each student’s needs, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting is held each year. These meetings are usually held in March. This meeting allows parents, caregivers, the student, the teacher and other relevant personnel to plan the individual educational needs of students and the smooth transition of the student from school to the wider community, equipped with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to function as independently as possible. The meeting allows for discussion of the students individual needs and prioritises areas of immediate and future concern. Parent / caregiver participation in these meetings is vital.
Integration
Students in a Support Class are integrated into all facets of the mainstream school. This includes the playground, sport, roll call and assemblies. Students are expected to wear the correct school uniform and are disciplined according to the school’s welfare policy. If deemed appropriate, integration into mainstream classes is available with the support of a Learning Support Officer.