Enrolment

St Patrick's Special School enrols students from age 5 who have developmental disabilities. Many also have a range of additional complex disorders such as Autism and Down Syndrome which significantly inform their approaches to and styles of learning, the ways they make meaning, their social and communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, and capacity to function independently.

We offer an integrated, developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Each student has an Individual Education Plan developed each semester in dialogue with parents, students and staff. The plan is structured around the following learning areas: Communication, Social Skills, Independent Living, Sensory-Motor skills and Work Education (Senior years).

Our approach to teaching and learning is informed by the characteristics of our students who typically exhibit a wide variation in cognitive development and communicative ability; significant impairments in communication and socialisation; limited and repetitive patterns of interest and activity; delayed or absent speech and language; unique, complex and challenging behaviours and wide disparity between developmental and chronological ages.

We have a maximum enrolment of 50 students grouped in seven classes. Class sizes in the Junior and Middle years are five or six students. There a maximum of 14 students in the Senior class. Each class is staffed by one teacher and two Education Support Officers. The school also employs a Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist who work alongside staff and families as well as directly with students to enhance their learning.

We welcome you to complete the Enrolment Enquiry form to receive additional information about St Patrick's Special School and our enrolment application  process.

Please specify in the comments section of the form if you would like our Enrolments Officer to contact you by phone to discuss your enquiry.