Communities Connect: Yarra Me School and Bendigo
Special Developmental School
'Communities Connect’ is based on a unique collaboration between two special schools working in the field of inclusive education. The development of a specialist outreach service, 'Bendigo Outreach' draws upon the respective knowledge and expertise from the two schools and is aligned with the Government’s 'inclusion for all' agenda.
The unique collaboration between Yarra Me School and Bendigo Special Developmental School to develop the ‘Bendigo Outreach’ program was forged on the belief that, as the Education State directs, “building excellence and equity in equal measure means that all students will have access to the same quality education, regardless of their background or circumstance.” This multidisciplinary, evidenced based best practice approach to supporting inclusion for students with additional needs directly centres on addressing Education State targets to create happy, healthy and resilient kids, fostering learning for life and breaking the link of disadvantage.
As champions of special needs education pedagogy, the “Communities Connect” practices of “Bendigo Outreach” program directly build on the Framework for Improving Students Outcomes initiatives of building practice excellence and building communities of practice, namely through networks with schools, services and agencies; all the while with the learner’s engagement, achievement and wellbeing at the core – the Team around the Learner (TAL). This approach is the practical adaptation of the Education State’s Special Needs plan coming to life, where Specialist Schools becomes Centres of Expertise working with neighbourhood schools to build teaching capacity to support every student in every classroom.
The “Communities Connect” practices of “Bendigo Outreach” program promotes the TAL approach that assists in developing a learner profile of the student – ensuring that the educational supports and goals are specifically tailored to meet the student’s needs. The TAL model is a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach that aligns with best practice for Inclusive Education for All Students with Disabilities and Additional Needs
The “Bendigo Outreach Service” brings a ‘just in time’ specialist service to regional and rural areas to “break the link”, creating safe and inclusive schools fostering pride and confidence across the State Schools in Victoria, to meet Education State targets.
The “Communities Connect” practices of “Bendigo Outreach” is a commitment to building inclusive classrooms and to provide a fair, equitable and inclusive education to students with disabilities in mainstream primary schools. Schools and teachers are now able to access additional support including consultation in relation to personalised learning plans or behaviour support plans, and teacher mentoring to develop a broader range of strategies to support students with behaviours of concern.
The benefits of the Bendigo Outreach program is that it supports teachers and school staff to be better equipped to deliver an inclusive education for all students. The outreach service is modelled on best practice in teacher professional learning which includes connecting theory and teaching practice and providing opportunity for reflection on new teaching skills and strategies.
Please click here to read more about how the outreach service works
The unique collaboration between Yarra Me School and Bendigo Special Developmental School to develop the ‘Bendigo Outreach’ program was forged on the belief that, as the Education State directs, “building excellence and equity in equal measure means that all students will have access to the same quality education, regardless of their background or circumstance.” This multidisciplinary, evidenced based best practice approach to supporting inclusion for students with additional needs directly centres on addressing Education State targets to create happy, healthy and resilient kids, fostering learning for life and breaking the link of disadvantage.
As champions of special needs education pedagogy, the “Communities Connect” practices of “Bendigo Outreach” program directly build on the Framework for Improving Students Outcomes initiatives of building practice excellence and building communities of practice, namely through networks with schools, services and agencies; all the while with the learner’s engagement, achievement and wellbeing at the core – the Team around the Learner (TAL). This approach is the practical adaptation of the Education State’s Special Needs plan coming to life, where Specialist Schools becomes Centres of Expertise working with neighbourhood schools to build teaching capacity to support every student in every classroom.
The “Communities Connect” practices of “Bendigo Outreach” program promotes the TAL approach that assists in developing a learner profile of the student – ensuring that the educational supports and goals are specifically tailored to meet the student’s needs. The TAL model is a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach that aligns with best practice for Inclusive Education for All Students with Disabilities and Additional Needs
The “Bendigo Outreach Service” brings a ‘just in time’ specialist service to regional and rural areas to “break the link”, creating safe and inclusive schools fostering pride and confidence across the State Schools in Victoria, to meet Education State targets.
The “Communities Connect” practices of “Bendigo Outreach” is a commitment to building inclusive classrooms and to provide a fair, equitable and inclusive education to students with disabilities in mainstream primary schools. Schools and teachers are now able to access additional support including consultation in relation to personalised learning plans or behaviour support plans, and teacher mentoring to develop a broader range of strategies to support students with behaviours of concern.
The benefits of the Bendigo Outreach program is that it supports teachers and school staff to be better equipped to deliver an inclusive education for all students. The outreach service is modelled on best practice in teacher professional learning which includes connecting theory and teaching practice and providing opportunity for reflection on new teaching skills and strategies.
Please click here to read more about how the outreach service works
