Core Curriculum
ENGLISH (Incorporating Language, Literacy and Communication)
Communication is the integral component for every child and Gwynne Park Education Support Centre places an emphasis on developing communication competency for students with complex communication needs. Our school uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Aided Language Stimulation (ALS) to ensure students are meaningfully and actively participating, contributing and engaging in both receptive and expressive language exchanges. AAC is used across all learning areas and a focus on communication is embedded in all learning.
Literacy is explicitly implemented into every lesson throughout the day. All students are provided with activities to progress their individual current ability. Activities are dependent upon the ability of each child and encompass all aspects of speaking, listening, viewing, reading and writing. Teachers also work together to supplement individualised activities with a range of targeted resources including comprehension and Direct Instruction reading programs.
MATHEMATICS
All students undertake numeracy activities daily, learning skills consistent with their individual learning abilities. Activities include explicit lesson instruction as well as concept learning throughout all activities. Students develop understanding by accessing environmental print and using numbers in everyday situations with an emphasis on promoting functional skills for life such as exploring the concepts of time, measurement and money.
SOCIAL and EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Social Skill development is taught as an explicit subject as well as embedded across all learning. Students are provided with ongoing opportunities to build upon their current skills through social story, role play and guided support during mock and real interactions. Opportunities to foster positive relationships with adults and peers is ongoing. Integration with students in the mainstream Primary School is scheduled throughout the week and less formal opportunities are maximised during school break times.
SCIENCE, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) and Technology and Enterprise
As with much of our content, Science, HASS and Technology and Enterprise is embedded across much of our daily learning. Student focus is on exploring cause and effect with an emphasis on hands on learning to develop a greater understanding of self, community, the local environment and the wider world.
Science Lessons - Our Science specialist conducts weekly lessons focused on an integrated learning theme promoting discovery learning relevant for each child. Learning concepts are graduated and age-appropriate to support students develop an understanding of the world around them.
Gardening Lessons - Our purpose built garden provides an outdoor classroom for students to develop practical skills for the care of their environment, knowledge about their surroundings, weather, animals and insects and the safe way to interact with each. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independence and responsibility as they take increasing ownership of our school garden each week.
Cooking Lessons - All students are timetabled to develop independence when making simple meals once a week in the School’s custom built kitchen. Skill development is focused on each child’s current ability and works towards fostering their independence. This may include simple tasks such as identifying equipment and food or more complex learning such as following a recipe. Students are supported to make connections between the food we eat and where it has come from as they increase food recipe use from the School garden.
Enterprise Education - All students engage in Enterprise learning to develop their Employability skills as they transition towards high school. Students are provided with ongoing opportunities to follow routines, assess the quality of work, participate in planning and contributing towards class products, engaging in the promotion and selling of the products. These opportunities contribute towards a greater independence, contribution and active participation in work or community contexts in a meaningful way as they move towards high school and beyond.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION and HEALTH
In addition to our specialist sports clinics, our weekly sports program provides the opportunity for our students to engage in a variety of different sports. Our lessons focus on sportsmanship, sharing and helping others to have a go whilst developing physical skills associated with each type of sport. All students are actively encouraged to participate and lessons are framed in a fun, engaging way.
These lessons compliment in class learning about personal health and hygiene which is delivered in group settings as well as smaller group learning tailored for individual need.
Protective Behaviours - Protective Behaviours is a personal safety program which aims to promote resilience in children using a range of developmentally appropriate strategies. Ultimately, as our students are most at risk and vulnerable, the aim is to encourage our students to become more assertive and resilient to risks or problems they may encounter in their lives.
Whole class and individualised programmes are taught to the students including raising their awareness of their own feelings relating to safety and how to build safety networks. The promotion of personal safety and resilience is generalised at every opportunity.
THE ARTS
Music - We have introduced a partnership with Music Rocks Australia Program who support our senior students to actively explore and play popular music. Our students practice playing drums, keyboards, bass guitar, electric guitar, percussion and singing. It is a highlight for all students involved, playing a real song in a real band, with a performance at the end of each term.
In addition, students participate in a weekly music lesson led by our Specialist staff. Student engage in a range of music appreciation and hands on learning to develop individual and group skills and enjoy the opportunity to perform what they have learned and created.
Dance - Our weekly Dance program for all students focuses on developing coordination, rhythm and movement. The students enjoy following simple steps to different pieces of music and work together to create dancing routines and performances. Each day, the students participate in Jiggle Jam to increase concentration through movement and music.
Art - Students use a range of mediums to express literacy texts, concepts and themes they are currently exploring. Art is an important way to express feelings and emotions as well as a means for communicating, demonstrating learning and sharing experiences with others.
SKILLS FOR DAILY LIFE
Each day students undertake a range of daily living tasks relevant to their individual needs. This may include Toilet Training, brushing teeth, washing hands or more advanced skills such as managing clothing and laundry. These skills are highly individualised and will be incorporated into a child’s learning in collaboration with families.