At Glendale Technology High School we operate a Special Education Unit for students. The Special Education Unit currently has 3 Multi categorical classes and 1 classes for Moderately Intellectual students. Each class caters for a maximum of 10 students. The unit Head Teacher is Ms Deborah Taylor.
KLA's
Students follow a Life Skills program. Students are taught within the unit the subjects of English, Maths, HSIE and Health. Students have elective classes in the areas of practical PE, Science, Food Technology and Visual Arts. These lessons are taught by mainstream staff in specialist rooms.
In Stage 6 the life skills program includes the subject of Work and the Community.
An interactive whiteboard is available in one classroom with the other three classrooms having interactive smartboards installed. Integration of technology into lessons is an area of focus for the unit. Students in the unit also have access to a bank of laptops and 10 iPads purchased by the department. Students are also able to bring their own devices under the rules of the school's BYOD policy.
Excursions are curriculum based. These often include cultural experiences, shopping programs to develop travel training and money handling skills and investigating the local area to access sporting and leisure activities and to visit places of historical interest.
The unit has a thriving vegetable and herb garden which is maintained by the junior MC class.
IEP / ITP
All students in the unit follow an Individual Education Plan. Meetings are held with parents and staff in term one of each year. School Counsellors, support personnel from outside agencies and the Regional Transition Coordinator are invited to these meetings when appropriate. Goals for the child's academic and social progress/integration are established at these meetings. Goals and outcomes from the year are reviewed with parents in Term 4 of each year.
Year 6 to 7 Transition Program
In Term 4, Year 6 students undertake a transition to High School program. The program runs throughout the term allowing students to adjust to the many changes and challenges that high school presents. Students are integrated into classes and participate in all aspects of unit life including Roll Call, elective subjects and life skills subjects. It gives them the opportunity to establish relationships with staff and peers before they begin Year 7.
The Integration Program
When appropriate individual students are integrated into mainstream subjects. Students benefit from this program for both academic and social reasons. These students have the support of an additional teacher for integrated lessons.
Subjects include Music, Food Technology, Chef in the Making, From the Menu, Metal work, Construction, Visual Arts and Marine Studies
Cross School Integration
Students are integrated for mainstream Roll Call, Thursday afternoon school sport, whole school swimming and athletics carnivals and special whole year welfare days. Students are able to choose suitable interest electives and when possible integration into subjects of personal interest are arranged.
Work Experience
Work experience is a high priority for our senior students. Senior students can complete a work placement in variety of settings, often with the support of a job coach. Students have recently under taken successful placements at Woolworths Glendale, Coles Glendale, Bunnings, For Your Home Cardiff and Trade Secret
TAFE Courses
Senior students have the option to attend TAFE courses in Years 11 and 12. Currently students are undertaking course sin Animal Studies, SVet Hospitality, Music Industry and one student is undertaking an Oten Cert III course in Screen Media.
Cafe
Chequers Cafe began operations in 2000. Rebranding took place in 2014 with the cafe being renamed Rainbow Café. The cafe opens on one Friday of the timetable cycle. The cafe is open to staff from 9am to 11am. Students take on the roles of waiters, cashier, food prep assistant, cold beverage operator and clean up personnel. All food served at the cafe is made fresh by the students.
Any enquires about the unit please contact the school and ask to speak to Ms Deborah Taylor- Head Teacher Special Education Unit.
LAST
Every Student, Every School Learning and Support
Every Student, Every School Learning and Support Program is designed to ensure all students with additional learning and support needs, and/or physical disabilities within NSW Public School have equitable access to the curriculum. The Learning and Support program has gained momentum at GTHS and is delivering effective and diverse support opportunities to students with varying learning and support needs.
The Learning and Support Teachers (LaST) play a key role in ensuring that the specific learning needs of all GTHS students are met. Students requiring extra support with learning, have differing levels of educational needs which may require various and flexible support including 1:1 support, small group intensive learning and in-class assistance.
The Learning and Support teachers provide support to students within all years, ranging from Intensive Literacy and Numeracy workshops, analysis and remediation with NAPLAN, working with teachers to provide extra support for students with additional learning needs in their class, shared reading groups, and disability provisions for the HSC Trial and HSC Exams.
We continue to provide exciting and beneficial learning programs and activities to ensure students have equitable access to all curriculum and learning activities.