Early Years
In Early Years we have an enthusiastic team of staff who delight in providing an exciting learning program for our younger students. They focus on establishing routines, expectations and skills that are needed to be a great learner. We follow the Victorian Curriculum in all Early Years classes.
In English all students work on their letters and sounds and are introduced to writing, experiencing a range of text types. All classes have weekly whole class speech sessions with our Speech Therapist, which builds the foundation for our Oral Language Programs. Early Years students also “Get Knowledge Ready” (GKR) in reading. This process gets students’ brains ready to draw out prior knowledge and get ready to take on new information.
In Maths students work on skills required for life. They start the session with a game to consolidate number sense, then complete open-ended activities which require them to work both within a group and independently. Classes then reflect on the learning which has occurred and strategies students have used.
Wellbeing is a major focus in Early Years. Students participate in weekly meditation sessions, Zones of Regulation and Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships (RRRR).
Classrooms participate in 'Investigations' across the Early Years to encourage learning through play. Students lead the direction of their own learning by selecting activities of interest. Staff then build on this learning through targeted teaching moments.
Along with these core areas, students in the Early Years are offered a range of other programs including cooking, community participation, swimming, sensory, speech, gardening, Digital Technologies, Science, PE, Huff n Puff, Art and Music.
In Early Years we have an enthusiastic team of staff who delight in providing an exciting learning program for our younger students. They focus on establishing routines, expectations and skills that are needed to be a great learner. We follow the Victorian Curriculum in all Early Years classes.
In English all students work on their letters and sounds and are introduced to writing, experiencing a range of text types. All classes have weekly whole class speech sessions with our Speech Therapist, which builds the foundation for our Oral Language Programs. Early Years students also “Get Knowledge Ready” (GKR) in reading. This process gets students’ brains ready to draw out prior knowledge and get ready to take on new information.
In Maths students work on skills required for life. They start the session with a game to consolidate number sense, then complete open-ended activities which require them to work both within a group and independently. Classes then reflect on the learning which has occurred and strategies students have used.
Wellbeing is a major focus in Early Years. Students participate in weekly meditation sessions, Zones of Regulation and Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships (RRRR).
Classrooms participate in 'Investigations' across the Early Years to encourage learning through play. Students lead the direction of their own learning by selecting activities of interest. Staff then build on this learning through targeted teaching moments.
Along with these core areas, students in the Early Years are offered a range of other programs including cooking, community participation, swimming, sensory, speech, gardening, Digital Technologies, Science, PE, Huff n Puff, Art and Music.
Middle Years
In Middle Years we have the most amazing staff who bring together a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to deliver the best possible programs for our wonderful students. We follow the Victorian Curriculum for all Middle Years classes.
In English all students are involved in Writer’s Workshop. This offers students exposure to participate in the writing process in meaningful, authentic writing tasks that they are interested in. Middle Years students also “Get Knowledge Ready” (GKR) in reading. This process gets students’ brains ready to draw out prior knowledge and get ready to take on new information.
In Maths students work on skills required for life. They start the session with a game to consolidate number sense, then complete open-ended activities which require them to work both within a group and independently. Students then reflect on their own learning and the strategies they have used.
Wellbeing is a major focus in Middle Years. Students participate in weekly meditation sessions, Yoga, Boy’s Group and Girl’s Group. All students participate in Zones of Regulations and Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationship programs which assist students to develop skills for life.
Along with these core areas, students in the Middle Years are offered a range of other programs including cooking, community participation, swimming, sensory, gardening, ICT, Science, PE, Huff n Puff, Art and Music.
In Middle Years we have the most amazing staff who bring together a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to deliver the best possible programs for our wonderful students. We follow the Victorian Curriculum for all Middle Years classes.
In English all students are involved in Writer’s Workshop. This offers students exposure to participate in the writing process in meaningful, authentic writing tasks that they are interested in. Middle Years students also “Get Knowledge Ready” (GKR) in reading. This process gets students’ brains ready to draw out prior knowledge and get ready to take on new information.
In Maths students work on skills required for life. They start the session with a game to consolidate number sense, then complete open-ended activities which require them to work both within a group and independently. Students then reflect on their own learning and the strategies they have used.
Wellbeing is a major focus in Middle Years. Students participate in weekly meditation sessions, Yoga, Boy’s Group and Girl’s Group. All students participate in Zones of Regulations and Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationship programs which assist students to develop skills for life.
Along with these core areas, students in the Middle Years are offered a range of other programs including cooking, community participation, swimming, sensory, gardening, ICT, Science, PE, Huff n Puff, Art and Music.
Senior Years
In the Senior Years we have a very dedicated team of staff who bring together a wide range of knowledge, experience and passion to deliver individualised programs for our students who are in the final years of their time here. We cater for every student by offering the VCAL Foundation curriculum and a wide range of programs.
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)
VCAL is an accredited senior school certificate designed for young people in Years 10, 11 and 12 who wish to prepare for vocational (industry) training or employment. The certificate suits students who wish to pursue employment straight out of school including full/part time employment, apprenticeships and traineeships or student who wish to pursue further vocational education after school, e.g. TAFE or a specialty private provider.
VCAL Curriculum Strands
The VCAL program consists of five strands. Four integrated curriculum VCAL strands:
And a fifth strand that is typically completed through a VET program:
The school is hoping to offer Horticulture and Hairdressing in the near future.
At Swan Hill Specialist School, we deliver Foundation Level over three years.
Year 11, 12 VCAL Structured Workplace Learning
As part of the Year 11 and 12 VCAL program, students will be encouraged and supported to undertake a work placement unless on a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. Students will be given the chance to complete at least 15 days of work placement with the only expectation that they will gain and build skills in the workplace and develop industry networks.
This may be completed either one day per week on the designated study day, or as week blocks throughout the year.
Pathways
VCAL will give students practical work-related experience and a qualification that will be recognised by TAFE institutes and employers. Together these will help with the transition from school to work, an apprenticeship or traineeship and/or further training at TAFE.
Wellbeing is also a major focus in Senior Years. Our Wellbeing sessions continue to build and consolidate on skills learnt in Early and Middle Years. All students participate in our weekly Sub-School Electives, which they choose from a range each term. This provides them with a chance to choose a recreational activity that is of interest to them.
Along with these core areas, students in the Senior Years are offered a range of other programs including cooking/hospitality, community participation, swimming, sensory, gardening/horticulture, ICT, Science, PE, Huff n Puff, Art and Music.
In the Senior Years we have a very dedicated team of staff who bring together a wide range of knowledge, experience and passion to deliver individualised programs for our students who are in the final years of their time here. We cater for every student by offering the VCAL Foundation curriculum and a wide range of programs.
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)
VCAL is an accredited senior school certificate designed for young people in Years 10, 11 and 12 who wish to prepare for vocational (industry) training or employment. The certificate suits students who wish to pursue employment straight out of school including full/part time employment, apprenticeships and traineeships or student who wish to pursue further vocational education after school, e.g. TAFE or a specialty private provider.
VCAL Curriculum Strands
The VCAL program consists of five strands. Four integrated curriculum VCAL strands:
- Literacy Skills
- Numeracy Skills
- Personal Development Skills
- Work Related Skills
And a fifth strand that is typically completed through a VET program:
- Industry Specific Skills
The school is hoping to offer Horticulture and Hairdressing in the near future.
At Swan Hill Specialist School, we deliver Foundation Level over three years.
Year 11, 12 VCAL Structured Workplace Learning
As part of the Year 11 and 12 VCAL program, students will be encouraged and supported to undertake a work placement unless on a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. Students will be given the chance to complete at least 15 days of work placement with the only expectation that they will gain and build skills in the workplace and develop industry networks.
This may be completed either one day per week on the designated study day, or as week blocks throughout the year.
Pathways
VCAL will give students practical work-related experience and a qualification that will be recognised by TAFE institutes and employers. Together these will help with the transition from school to work, an apprenticeship or traineeship and/or further training at TAFE.
Wellbeing is also a major focus in Senior Years. Our Wellbeing sessions continue to build and consolidate on skills learnt in Early and Middle Years. All students participate in our weekly Sub-School Electives, which they choose from a range each term. This provides them with a chance to choose a recreational activity that is of interest to them.
Along with these core areas, students in the Senior Years are offered a range of other programs including cooking/hospitality, community participation, swimming, sensory, gardening/horticulture, ICT, Science, PE, Huff n Puff, Art and Music.
