Department of Education - Victoria

Baringa School is committed to excellence in Special Education. We aim to provide an innovative, caring and stimulating environment where learning is relevant and purposeful and where students develop a sense of belonging through mutual respect and cooperation. Our school motto is 'Learning, Caring, Achieving'.

Baringa School is located in Moe, which is in the Latrobe Valley. The school provides a comprehensive educational program for students who have an intellectual disability aged from 5 to 18 years of age. Current enrolment is 180.

The student population is drawn from a wide geographical area incorporating Trafalgar through to Traralgon.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Baringa School community sees the provision of a safe, caring and positive learning environment as its most important goal. The environment aims to support students as they strive to develop social, emotional, communication and educational skills that will lead to independence. School community commitment to providing a curriculum that challenges student learning through achievement and success is strong. 

 

CURRICULUM

The curriculum at Baringa is based on the Victorian curriculum and covers English, Mathematics, Personal & Social Development, Health & Physical Education, Independent Living Skills, Art, Technology and Communication.  A number of enrichment programs are also offered including Outdoor Education, Camps, Advance (a community volunteer program) vocational training including Work Experience and Pre work skills, and travel training. 

The school operates in Units of Primary (ages 5 ¿ 12 )  Secondary (ages 12 -1 6)  and for students over 16 a range of options including preparation for post school options and Independent Living Skills are provided. Student support services include Speech therapy. A full time Primary Welfare officer and Chaplain provide student and family support. One of our Learning Specialist roles is tagged full time Student Welfare also.

Individual student needs determine the curriculum focus for each student. Parents and professionals identify these collaboratively during Support Group meetings. When collated, these needs drive the curriculum provided for students. Through this process, Individual Learning Plans and personal goals for students are established.  Many students present with challenging behaviour and require individual behaviour plans and modified or negotiated programming to ensure successful participation at school.

 

FUTURE PLANS

Baringa School has a continuing commitment to work together to improve all school environments. The concept of promoting positive student behaviour through positive programming continues to be an important underpinning program to support students in all areas of learning.

Curriculum priorities focus on student achievement and engagement through the extension of literacy and numeracy across the school, extension of information technology to support learning, and further training in improving teaching and learning across the school, with a particular emphasis on explicit teaching and differentiated learning. 

Ensuring that staff have strong capabilities in relation to working in a special education setting will continue to be an important focus for professional learning, particularly as experienced and Special Education qualified staff retire and new staff  come into the school.  Knowledge and understanding of the principles underpinning School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and Understanding Poverty are important aspects of our culture and beliefs in relation to student wellbeing and engagement.