SCHOOL CONTEXT STATEMENT
School number:
0559
School name:
Whyalla Special School
1.
Updated: 2010
General information
Part A
School name
: WHYALLA SPECIAL SCHOOL
School No.
: 0559 Courier: Eyre and Western Region - Whyalla
Principal
: Anthony Deane-Shaw
Postal Address
: Billing Street, Whyalla Playford 5600
Location Address : Billing Street, Whyalla Playford 5600
District
: Whyalla/Port Augusta
Distance from GPO : 380 kms
Phone No. :08 8645 7261
CPC attached
Fax No. : 08 86451255
: NO
February FTE Enrolment
Primary
Special, N.A.P. Ungraded etc.
26.0
Reception 2.0
Year 1 3.0
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Year 2
3.0
Year 3
2.0
Year 4
6.0
Year 5
4.0
Year 6
6.0
Year 7
2.0
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Secondary Special, N.A.P. Ungraded etc.
Year 8
1.0
Year 9
3.0
Year 10
1.0
Year 11
3.0
Year 12
5.0
Year 12 plus
TOTAL
17.0
4.0
43
July total FTE Enrolment
43.0
Male
27.0
Female FTE
16.0
School Card Approvals (Persons)
NESB Total (Persons)
Aboriginal FTE Enrolment
3.0
Note: Placement points for Complexity and (Base plus Isolation) can be obtained
from the document 'Placement Points History' in the 'schools/placement'
section of the 'Legal and Policy Framework Library' available on the
departmental CD-ROM or web-site.
Part B
School e-mail address
info@whyallasp.sa.edu.au
Staffing numbers
8.0 teachers(3 males and 5 females);8 classroom SSO’s;2 admin SSO’s
OSHC
No
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Enrolment trends
Increased from 28 – 43 in last five years - now appears quite stable at high
30’s to 40’s
Year of opening
1963
Public transport access
Students travel by taxi, DPI bus or are driven to school by
parents/caregivers
2.
Students (and their welfare)
General characteristics
All students have an intellectual disability and some also have a physical
disability. All students require a Guidance Officer referral to attend this
school.
Students have a wide range of disabilities which include Down Syndrome,
Cerebral Palsy and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
All students have an individualised curriculum, which is negotiated through
the NEP (Negotiated Education Plan). Each student from year 8 onwards
has a transition folder.
Whyalla Special School is an R – 12+ school.
Some students are involved in the Child Development Unit, based at the
Whyalla Hospital and involves annual meetings, which include the family
and professionals involved in the care and well being of the student.
Support offered
Support Agencies include Autism SA, Down Syndrome Society of SA,
NOVITA, Kilparrin, Disabilities SA, Families SA, the Whyalla Hospital and
DECD Support Services
Student management
One student receives Challenging Behaviour Support money
Several students are involved with Interagency Student Behaviour
Management services and regular meetings are held with all agencies
involved with the student.
Student government
No SRC is in place at the moment however, some of the five classes have
weekly class meetings
Special programmes
Communication is a focus;
- many students use the PECS (Picture Exchange Communication
System). All staff receive two days training to enable them to use this
system.
Post Compulsory students are enrolled in SACE subjects. All teachers are
involved in the writing of the four units studied each year.
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An alternative program is offered to a group of boys. They participate in
community outings for a period of time each day. They recycle, garden
and manage the sports shed.
3.
Key School Policies
Partnerships Plan or Statement of Purpose
Recent key outcomes:
PECS continues across the site
Resource Centre has been upgraded with the introduction of thematic
boxes which is continous
All curriculum areas have had many new resources purchased to support
implementation
Relaxation times are supported with sensory materials and weighted vests
and blankets
Health and wellbeing of students is promoted with healthy eating programs
and daily fitness
Literacy and Numeracy/Science/ Wellbeing and Personal Development and
Engagement of Groups of Students are the focus for 2007
4.
Curriculum
Subject offerings
The core business of the Whyalla Special School is teaching and learning
through a broad balanced inclusive curriculum that is in line with DECD
policies. SACSA is the curriculum that teachers use for programming.
The Whyalla Special School provides a supportive environment that
nurtures equality of educational opportunity. All students are encouraged to
achieve their maximum potential.
Where practical, students are transitioned into Special Classes at
mainstream schools.
School leavers are supported in transitioning to a variety of post school
options.
Special needs
Students are referred to other agencies, CAMHS, NOVITA, Autism SA,
Families SA, Disabilities SA, Whyalla Hospital and DECD Support Services
as required
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Special curriculum features
The school has a focus on teaching social living life skills. Students shop,
prepare a main meal, visit the local library, visit a local school and a
kindergarten and integrate with various schools as opportunities arise.
The senior class participates fortnightly in a Social Program as students
practice using Clarke Road Money Program skills.
The concept of Clarke Road Money is introduced to all classes.
Focusing on P.E and Science during NIT.
Teaching methodology
Classes are small and have a teacher and an SSO per class. The class
with students with high personal needs has a teacher and two SSO’s.
A range of methodologies are used to support teaching strategies for
students. Developmentally appropriate programs are offered to all
students. The majority of the programmes are conducted 1:1 or in small
groups.
Active learning is promoted in all classes.
One class has a Smart Board installed and all other classes have had
Promethean Boards installed
Assessment procedures and reporting
Reports are sent home twice yearly in July and December.
NEP’s are negotiated and reviewed annually in Term 1 with
parents/caregivers or as circumstances require.
Teachers are available to parents at all times for interviews over issues of
concern.
Primarily, teachers record student learning in Regency Park School – A
Developmental Skills Based Curriculum for Students with Physical and
Associated Disabilities.
Joint programmes
The school participates in many local and National events for example Schools Tree Day, Schools Clean up Day, Whyalla Show Display, and
Harmony Day. NAIDOC Week and Christmas Tree Festival
5.
Sporting Activities
Students participate in a swimming/therapy session weekly in a heated
pool at the Whyalla Leisure Centre.
Student participates in 30 mins of physical activity each day.
The school is located next to Road Safety centre, students are encouraged
to ride bikes as part of the fitness programme and learn road rules.
Students from Reception to Year 9 are participating in the Premier’s Be
Active Challenge.
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The Rainbow Games (Sports Day) is held annually. This is run by a group
of Year 6/7 students from a local school. They organise the events, bring
the equipment and run the events during the day. They work 1:1 with
students. The Governing Council cooks a barbecue lunch and a great day
is had by all.
6.
Other Co-Curricular Activities
Special
School Christmas Luncheon
Mid-Year and End of Year Assembly and Graduation Ceremony
7.
Staff (and their welfare)
Staff profile
Teachers – 8.0 3 males and 5 females
Leadership structure
PCO2 and Coordinator 3
Staff support systems
All teachers have one /two fulltime SSO’s in the classroom
Performance Management
Staff meet with line manager once per term
Staff utilisation policies
Teachers meetings are held weekly
Whole staff meetings fortnightly (SSO’s and teachers – for one hour)
Access to special staff
The Northern Country District Support staff is extremely supportive of both
staff and students
Other
Whyalla Hospital staff physiotherapy, OT and Orthotics Department
provide ongoing support to staff in regards to student’s equipment and
personal needs
8.
Incentives, support and award conditions for
Staff
Complexity placement points
Country Zone 4
Isolation placement points
4.5
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Housing assistance
Teachers are eligible for subsidised rent in accordance with Accomodation
Services Employee Housing
Cooling for school buildings
All classrooms have reverse cycle air conditioning which has been
upgraded since 2002
Designated schools benefits
Teachers are eligible for Special Class Allowance and Protective Clothing
Allowance
Locality allowances
Annual rate of $26
9.
School Facilities
Buildings and grounds
The school has been on the current site for 25 years. The grounds and
buildings are well maintained. The teaching block contains three
classrooms with adjoining kitchen facilities and activity room. Two new
transportables house two classes.
Cooling
All classrooms are air-conditioned
Specialist facilities
Specialist bathroom and change room for high dependency students
Hoist and adjustable change table for student’s toileting and health needs.
School has a no lifting policy
School has showering facilities
Student facilities
All students have internet access
Staff facilities
Each teacher has a designated desk and work area. Some share an office
area.
Internet access is available to all staff
Resource centre is continually being upgraded
Access for students and staff with disabilities
All buildings have wheel chair access.
Access to bus transport
The school has two buses it uses for transporting students whilst at school.
One is a 21 seater and staff have the option of receiving small bus driver
training to drive this. The other is a van converted to accommodate 3
wheelchairs and or eight passengers including the driver.
All students have funded transport to and from school, private car, taxi or
Disabled Persons Incorporated (DPI).
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10. School Operations
Decision making structures
School Governing Council, PAC, teacher/staff meetings, and class
meetings
Regular publications
School newsletter and website
Other communication
Diary communication between home and family on a daily basis
Phone calls when required
School financial position
Secure financial position
Special funding
Grants are applied for and implemented
11. Local Community
General characteristics
The company ‘One Steel’ dominates Whyalla’s employment opportunities
either directly or through their contractors here for building activity.
There is a high level of unemployment in Whyalla.
Parent and community involvement
The school has an active Governing Council
The school receives a good level of support from local service clubs
Feeder schools
All schools in Whyalla have the potential to be feeder schools for the
Whyalla Special School
Whyalla Stuart Inclusive Pre – School Program (IPP) is the main feeder
Pre School
Other local care and educational facilities
TAFE Campus and University of SA Campus
Commercial/industrial and shopping facilities
Wide range of shopping and banking facilities including large department
stores
Other local facilities
Cinema, theatre, indoor swimming pool, gymnasiums, bowling, fishing and
camping
Availability of staff housing
Government housing is available to teachers
Accessibility
Adelaide is approximately 4.5 – 5 hours away. The roads are good.
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There is a daily bus service offering both morning and evening services to
and from Adelaide, approx $100 return. There are regular air flights
servicing Whyalla daily. Flight time is approximately 40 minutes. The cost
for this is between $110 and $220 each way.
Local Government body
Whyalla City Council
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