Department of Education - Victoria

The Bendigo Special Developmental School provides education programs for school aged students 5 to 18 with a moderate to severe intellectual disability. Our students reside in the Bendigo Region encompassing Kyneton, Wedderburn, Heathcote and Huntly.  The current enrolment is 160 students.

 

DOE and VCAA curriculum guidelines are followed at the school, with all students being taught seven subjects and the four capabilities of the Victorian Curriculum (the school is exempt from teaching languages).  The Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, coupled with the Science of Reading and the Science of Mathematics is used to design and implement an individualised education plan (IEP) for each student, co designed with their parents/carers and possible external NDIS professionals during regular Student Support Group (SSG) meetings. Staff work in Professional Learning Communities to collaboratively plan and moderate student learning and achievement. Providing a voice for all students through their individualised communication system is paramount to their successful engagement in learning. 

 

Classroom spaces encompass both permanent and portable buildings and learning is supported by an extensive range of educational equipment and communication aids. Bendigo Special Developmental School is currently in Stage 1 of a 4 stage rebuild process, with the first stage of this rebuild due to be finished in October 2025. A hydrotherapy pool, multipurpose room, student kitchen, truncated bicycle track with a range of adapted bicycles, coupled with a specialist subjects areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), Health and Physical Education including swimming and water safety instruction, Music and the Dramatic Arts, Visual Arts, Humanities, Digital Technologies, SWPBS( School Wide Positive Behaviour Support) and RRRR( Rights Resilience and Respectful Relationships) enrich programs. Student health and safety is paramount, and a secure and stimulating outdoor environment, with challenging play equipment and shadeport sun protection provide play and regulation experiences for the students. 

 

The school has been officially gifted the name 'Manya' meeting 'Meeting Site' by the elders of the tradition land owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung, for the outdoor space located at the north end of the school. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are embedded within the curriculum and the school celebrates all forms of diversity within our community including the neurodiversity, cultural, gender, sexual, racial and religious identities of students and their families.    

 

Teamwork and communication between staff and parents is a priority.  Student Support Group meetings are held each term and support the preparation and review of the Individual Education Plan. Parent and caregiver dialogue is support by fortnightly newsletters, a Facebook page, and daily communication through a digital app. Learning programs are additionally supported by the school¿s physiotherapist, two speech therapists, Family Support Teacher and Mental Health Practitioner. 

 

Several students are dual enrolled in mainstream schools for varying time fractions. Cooperative planning and programming between both educational settings and continual review and support of student progress are essential elements of the success and extension of these programs.

 

As a recognised resource for special education, the school provides an information, consultancy and professional development base for teachers, parents, tertiary students and other people involved in the disability field.

 

This school is committed to respecting the dignity of the individual and providing students with disabilities with maximum opportunity to extend their academic, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development in a safe and positive environment.

 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.