Maryborough Central State School

Download our Term 4 2009 Newsletter here

The Maryborough Central Special Education Unit has affectionately been named the “Cubby House” over the past years. The room is located at the top of the stairs on the northern side of “A” Block. Meetings are also held in the “Blue” Room which is located on the ground floor near the music room in “A” Block.

About Us
The Special Education Unit provides programs and support services for students with disabilities whose educational needs are identified through the EAP (Education Adjustment Profile) process. To assist with support of students the unit also has access to a range of specialised personnel, to aid the development, management and monitoring of individual programs.

Support for students with disabilities is provided through an inclusive model. The students are integrated into regular classrooms and supported by SEU staff in a variety of ways including:
• in class assistance
• one to one tuition
• small group work
• individual programs
• real life experiences
• modification of class programs
• alternative programs
which vary according to their individual program needs.

IEP’s (Individual Education plans) are created with collaboration from parents, teachers, special education staff (teachers and aides) and Advisory Visiting Teachers (AVTs) and consider the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students. These plans assist teaching staff in providing relevant learning programs and activities for the students that will meet their individual needs.

Various Programs

Learning Connections - During the first half hour of each morning a group of students and two staff participate in a variety of activities designed to develop fine and gross motor skills, processing and listening skills. The activities vary from rolling, spinning, eye tracking and co-ordination. The emphasis is on participating and having fun.

Yogi Bears - During the first half hour of three mornings each week, a small group of children participate in some children’s yoga activities teaching breathing, relaxation techniques and body awareness.

Soccer Program - A district Soccer Program is offered in Term 3. The program is especially designed for students with Disabilities between the ages of 9 and 11 years. Students from a variety of schools attend each Friday afternoon at the Special School oval. At the end of the term, a Carnival is held in Gympie where our students compete against teams from other schools in the district.

ELF - ELF is a literacy program that has been designed for students in the junior school by Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists at the University of Queensland. During our lessons we study letters, sounds, words and practice cutting and writing. We also concentrate on improving our muscle tone when we are sitting, standing and moving. When doing these activities we emphasize the importance of listening well and practise these skills. During this term, there will be three groups of students who will participate in the ELF program three times a week. On the fourth day these same students will be doing language activities with Mrs Humphreys— developing positional concepts and auditory and visual discrimination and memory skills. These skills enhance the students’ ability to listen and follow directions.