Swan Hill Specialist School

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  • Home
    • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • Child Safe
    • Vision and Values
    • Policies
    • School Wide PBS and Restorative Practices
    • School Organisation
    • Student engagement and wellbeing
    • Teaching and Learning
  • Parents/Carers
    • Enrolment
    • Home/School Partnerships
    • Parent Club Information
    • Playgroup
    • School Council
  • School Facilities
    • Facilities For Hire
    • Community Garden
    • Playground
    • Community Cafe

Teaching and Learning

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.

Middle Years
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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.
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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 a range of different curriculum and programs. These include the Victorian Curriculum, Certificate 1 in Transition Education (CTE), Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and some modules from Victorian Education and Training (VET) certificates where appropriate.

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. Senior 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 consolidate and work on skills required for their lives when they leave school.  They start the session with a game to consolidate number sense, then complete open-ended activities, and/or other work tasks which require them to work both within a group and independently. 
 
Wellbeing is also a major focus in Senior Years.  Students participate in relaxation sessions, Boys Group and Girls Group. 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.
 
All students complete Independent Living Skills training, and are offered participation in Structured Workplace Learning Units; these are done via an open or supported employment environment.
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Along with these core areas, students in the Senior Years are offered a range of other programs including cooking, community participation, swimming, sensory, gardening, ICT, Science, PE, Huff n Puff, Art and Music.

Specialist Programs

Music
At Swan Hill Specialist School, the music program caters for students in Early, Middle and Senior Sections of the school. Sessions are run in half hour blocks once a week where music is explored through singing, dancing, moving and playing. Instrumental music is also offered to Senior students wishing to undertake a specific instrument. There is a choir where students can participate during a lunchtime and display their vocal talents and learn AUSLAN signing skills.
Early Years
Students undertake music through movement and action songs, interacting with dance and body percussion. Concentration is given towards following rhythm, through song and dynamics- eg; Loud/soft, fast/slow.
Middle Years
Students start to work on playing instruments and reading modified music that students play together as a group. Instruments offered are guitar, keyboard and drums.
Senior Years
Each student will further develop skills on a keyboard, guitar or drums and work together in a band playing popular songs and exploring different styles of music.
Physical Education (P.E.)

Visual Arts
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​phone: (03) 5032 3683
fax: (03) 5033 1886
school email: swan.hill.ss@edumail.vic.gov.au
​Postal Address:
PO Box 1109 Swan Hill Victoria 3585
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​Address:
Swan Hill Specialist School
27 -33 Yana Street
Swan Hill
Victoria 3585
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