Structure
Verney Road is a vibrant school of more than 235 students and 110 dedicated staff who work tirelessly to progress the whole child. The explicit teaching of Literacy and Numeracy are key priorities as are the development of independent living and learning skills. The Arts and Health & Physical Education are an integral part of the curriculum. Students attend VRS from 3 years of age in Early Education up to 18 years in VPC (Victorian Pathways Certificate).
Early Education
Our Early Education Program caters for children from the age of 2.8 years. It is a centre-based program that provides a support service to parents and the family. It also provides stimulation and motivation for the child, with the aim of reducing the handicapping effect of the disability or impairment.
Parents, staff, professional advisers, Paediatricians and therapists work together to ensure that each child can achieve their maximum potential. We aim to develop individual programs in the areas of gross motor, fine motor, self help, language, creative play and behaviour management. We also offer support to Preschools and Daycare centres where the child is enrolled.
Junior School
Early Years
The Early Years program caters for school aged children from the ages of 5 to 10 years.
Class sizes are kept to a minimum of approximately 8 students with a teacher and at least one teacher assistant (ESS) in each class.
All students have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which is formulated annually in conjunction with teachers, parents and other support staff who are involved with the child. These may be therapists, previous teachers and medical practitioners.
There is a strong emphasis on developing communication and social skills alongside formal areas such as mathematics, reading and writing. ICT is used extensively to support all programs.
We aim to develop the whole child and to create a nurturing learning environment which supports our students to achieve their full potential.
Middle Years
The Middle Years program caters for students from the ages of 10 years to 15 years. Class sizes are kept to approximately 10 students with a teacher and an assistant. All students have individual learning plans developed in conjunction with teachers, parents and other support staff involved with the student. These may be therapists, previous teachers and medical practitioners.
There is a strong emphasis on both academic achievement as well as our expectations of respect, responsibility, safety and being a learner. We run an ‘Up and Out’ program focused on getting the students active and engaged in communication and social interactions. We focus on students taking independence for their learning and encourage them to achieve their full potential.
Senior School
Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC, formerly VCAL)
The Victorian Pathways Certificate is a new inclusive and flexible option for students in Years 10, 11 and 12.
At Verney Road School we teach VPC over 3 years. The applied learning is taught through interest based projects. VPC provides practical education and training for young people.
Through hands-on learning, students gain skills and knowledge relevant to work and life in local and global communities. VPC is administered by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
There are four subjects in VPC:
- VPC Literacy
- VPC Numeracy
- VPC Work Related Skills (WRS)
- VPC Personal Development Skills (PDS)
School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (SBAT)
Students in Senior Years can participate in the SBAT program resulting in credit towards their VPC. Students attend the workplace 2 days per week and attend Verney Road School the other 3 days.
Students are employed as School Based Trainees and are paid according to the national part-time training wage. Trainees are paid a minimum of 7 hours per week and participate in 6 hours of structured training per week. All training is conducted onsite of the workplace.
Trainees are supervised at all times by a Manager/Team Leader/Trainer of the workplace. On successful completion of the traineeship, a Certificate and Employment reference is provided. Knowledge obtained from these qualifications can be applied to a range of career paths.