Support Unit

General Information

At present the support unit has four classes - three autism specific and one multi categorical class. The support unit is staffed by a head teacher, three teachers and four school learning support officers. Students are placed in the support unit by a Department of Education placement panel. To apply for placement in a support unit class, parents/carers must contact their local public primary or high school to complete an Access Request form.

Learning in the Support Unit

·       Personalised Learning and Support Plans (PLaSP). In term 1, teachers conduct PLASP meetings in consultation with parents/carers and other relevant stakeholders. At these meetings individualised goals related to student learning and wellbeing are established. These plans are reviewed in term 4 each year.

·       Curriculum. All students follow the NESA curriculum. Students participate in English, mathematics, science, HSIE, PDHPE, visual arts, music, languages, TAS and work experience. Most students follow the life skills curriculum after consultation with parents/carers.

·       NDIS. Parents/carers can request to have an NDIS-funded service delivered at school. Access to the school by an externally funded provider is at the discretion of the principal.

Additional Programs

Students in the support unit may have access to the following programs dependent on their individual needs:

·       Community Access Programs which allow students to apply their knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to real life situations. The students are provided with opportunities to practice important skills such as communication, purchasing goods and accessing public transport.

·       Whole School Programs Students may participate in assemblies, carnivals (swimming, athletics and cross country), multicultural days and year specific welfare events.

·       Work Experience Programs are available for students who are at least 14 years and 9 months of age. Maintaining student safety is our main priority. Currently the Support Unit staff supervise programs at Ascalon Industries and Coles Supermarket. These programs allow selected students to gain job-ready skills and knowledge.

·       Swimming Program The students in the Support Unit participate in a Swimming Program at Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre every Thursday.

·       Camps In Term 1 students in Year 7 may attend a three-day camp with their mainstream cohort. Every second year the students may attend a three-day camp at Stanwell Tops with the students in the Support Unit at GRC Peakhurst Campus. Participation in these camps is decided in consultation with parents/carers, with student safety our main priority.

Welfare Programs

·       The Assisted School Travel Program provides transport for eligible students in the Support Unit. Staff and parents complete an application which is sent to the ASTP Central Processing team for consideration.

·       Transition Program - In Term 4 students in year 6 participate in orientation days at GRC Hurstville Campus, in preparation for their new school for the following year.

·       Recess and Lunch Supervision - A classroom is available at recess and lunch to support students who experience difficulty accessing the general playground. A school learning support officer provides additional support for the students accessing the Year 7 Playground.