Our School

Our purpose is to engage our students in innovative and high quality education and social programs in a friendly and caring environment. The school is a place where learning is fun and our students achieve in ways which provide a basis for continued learning. Our school community forms part of a diverse and larger community, and our focus is on the ability of our students to participate in this local community and beyond.
Vision: EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING
We aspire to achieve Excellence in Learning through our positive school ethos and a climate of respect and trust, underpinned by shared values across the school community.

ALL MEMBERS OF STAFF CONTRIBUTE BY

  • Promoting a climate in which children and young people feel safe, secure and respected.
  • Building supportive, positive and trusting relationships where children and young people will feel valued and listened to.
  • Modelling behaviour which promotes effective learning and wellbeing within the school community.
  • Being sensitive and responsive to each child or young person’s wellbeing and learning needs.
  • Fostering partnerships between students, staff, parents and the wider community.

 

OUR BELIEFS

  • Students have access to a rich, diverse, purposeful and viable curriculum that is sequential and engaging and caters for the diverse learning styles and needs.
  • Students engage through innovative teaching practices and have opportunities to develop knowledge and skills to be successful when they leave school.
  • Students are supported to access an inclusive curriculum in a safe environment.
  • Programs reflect current research and pedagogical practice, integrate technology and AAC tools and involve the wider school community.
EVERY CHILD, EVERY OPPORTUNITY, EVERY DAY
SAFE
RESPONSIBLE
RESPECTFUL

Principal’s Message

We are extremely proud of what we do every day at Yarraville Special Developmental School.

Yarraville SDS caters for students aged from 5 to 18 years old with a diagnosis of moderate to severe intellectual disability. It has a current enrolment of 60 students.

The school is committed to providing a learning environment that values the ability and individuality of each student. Keeping the students in the centre, our dedicated staff members support our students to learn in ways that provide a basis for continued learning as they grow into safe, respectable and responsible citizens. The school provides a safe, stimulating and flexible learning environment by ensuring that students have access to tools, programs and resources that give them the best opportunity to engage and succeed in their learning.

We are committed to providing EVERY CHILD, EVERY OPPORTUNITY, EVERY DAY to maximise the potential of each and every student.

There is a friendly atmosphere within the school and parents are most welcome and vital partners in their children’s educational programs. RESPECT, SAFETY and RESPONSIBILITY is fundamental to learning, personal growth and quality relationships as staff, students and parents work together to achieve and celebrate ongoing success.

I look forward to discussing our school with you and your family.

Davina D’Menzie
Acting Principal

Leadership

Davina D’Menzie

Davina D’Menzie

Acting Principal

Kelly Botha

Kelly Botha

Acting Assistant Principal & Secondary Learning Area Leader

Janet Farrugia

Janet Farrugia

Business Manager

Jacqueline Wood

Jacqueline Wood

Acting Leading Teacher & Primary Learning Area Leader

Transport Area

Transport between school and home is provided by Mee’s Bus Lines within a designated transport area, which includes Moonee Ponds, Aberfeldie, Kensington, North Melbourne, Ascot Vale, Avondale heights, Maidstone, Footscray, Spotswood, Newport, Williamstown and Altona.

Buses arrive at the school at 9:00am and depart at 3:00pm.

There are supervisors on all bus runs. Students may attend from outside the designated transport area however, in this case, transport is the responsibility of parents and the above times apply.

Facilities

Click the highlighted rooms to view images
School Plan
Small YardBig YardRoom 4Front of the SchoolREC RoomLibrarySensory RoomKids' KitchenCafeBike TrackCorridorRampRoom 8

Small Yard

Small Yard

Big Yard

Big Yard

Room 4

Room 4

Front of the School

Front of the School

REC Room

REC Room

Library

Library

Sensory Room

Sensory Room

Kids' Kitchen

Kids' Kitchen

Cafe

Cafe

Bike Track

Bike Track

Corridor

Corridor

Ramp

Ramp

Room 8

Room 8

School Council

The following is a breakdown of the major school activities and the responsibilities for the School Council:

  • Finance
  • Curriculum
  • Student management
  • Buildings and grounds
  • Staff employment and management
  • Strategic planning
  • Policy development and review

School Council meetings are every fourth Tuesday of the month, commencing at 6:30pm.

2020 School Council Dates

  • 25th February 2020
  • 24th March 2020 Annual General Meeting
  • 28th April 2020
  • 26th May 2020
  • 23rd June 2020
  • 28th July 2020
  • 25th August 2020
  • 27th October 2020
  • 24th November 2020
  • 15th December 2020
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School Council Standing Orders 2018

2020 School Council Minutes

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28th July SC Minutes

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23rd June SC Minutes

School council members 2020

Acting Principal – Executive Officer
Davina D’Menzie

School Council President
Kim Mace

School Council Vice –President
Demelza Demarte

School Council Treasurer
Cindy Edmiston

Parent School Council representatives
Janice Aukuso
Kirsty Morrison
Adrian Egry

School representatives
Kelly Botha – Acting Assistant Principal
Ana Conti
Heather Monk

Business Manager
Janet Farrugia

Partnerships with Parents & Carers

Establishing and developing relationships with parents and carers is a central part of our philosophy. It is important to us that the youngest members of our community feel secure, supported and engaged in their learning and play. To achieve this we establish trust and open communication with families so that there is a consistency in our approach. Children learn best when the school and parents work together and we value the contribution that parents make to our school and endeavour to provide many opportunities where parents are involved in school life, such as SSGs, a daily communication book, surveys, classroom visits, Parent morning groups, resource making, assemblies and celebrations at the school.

Child Safe Standards

Yarraville Special Developmental School is a Child Safe School and has a zero tolerance of child abuse. Therefore, we fully implement and practice the Child Safe Standards. YSDS is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Our school community recognises the importance of, and a responsibility for, ensuring our school is a safe, supportive and enriching environment which respects and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of children and young people, and enables them to thrive in their learning and development.

Every staff member, volunteer, contractor or visitor to the school is required to read and sign the Code of Conduct annually. The Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid or better manage risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, Department policy, school policies and procedures and professional standards, codes or ethics as these apply to staff and other personnel.

In the event that there is any incident, disclosure or suspicion of child abuse, you must follow the Four Critical Actions For Schools Procedure.

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Four Critical Actions for Schools
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