Our aim is

 
To enable all students to progress in their learning through a broad, balanced education which incorporates the full curriculum alongside their peers.

 
Every teacher is a teacher of students with Special Needs.  Maroochydore SHS accepts students with a wide range of educational needs, including very high attainment and ability, specific learning difficulties, physical, sensory and intellectual impairment and students with temporary learning difficulties.  Every student is unique and has much to offer.

Special Needs support is given in a number of ways, though most commonly through the Maroochydore Special Education Unit and Learning Support.  The dedicated Special Education Unit is staffed, resourced and focused, with group and individual programs.  Students work on an Individual Education Plan, negotiated themselves, parents and their teacher/case manager, according to their needs. 

Individual programs and Individual Education Plans are developed for specific students in partnership with their teachers, parents, support personnel and the students themselves.  These programs are then implemented with regular review and evaluation.  Each student with Special Needs has a case manager.

We participate in and actively promote staff professional development through In Service Training, networking and dissemination.  At Maroochydore SHS we have effective liaison with our community primary schools to prepare and develop a smooth transition to high school. 

Links with external agencies are fostered to ensure that a wide range of support can be accessed when required.  Transition is also carefully considered and planned for as students prepare to leave school to assist progression to adult life.

All students and parents are welcome to seek help or advice from the Maroochydore Special Education and Learning Support Teams at any stage through booking an appointment.

Maroochydore State High School, The Way Forward in Inclusion

Maroochydore State High School supports many students with impairments and learning difficulties through their vital years of secondary schooling with support from the Special Education Unit and Learning Support.

Each student is unique and has their timetable and individual goals tailored to their abilities and aspirations.  Students are supported by a dedicated team of Special Education Teachers, Learning Support Teachers and Teacher Aides, led by the Head of Special Educational Services.

Students with diagnosed and verified disabilities follow Individual Education Plans (IEP) and have adjustments to their schooling recorded through the Education Adjustment profile (EAP).  Each student has a case manager who liaises with students, classroom teachers, teacher aides, parents and significant others. Each student with special needs has a unique program with varying levels of support, intervention and alternate programming according to their needs and goals.

 
Currently,

• Over thirty five students diagnosed and verified for support within the disability areas of Intellectual Impairment, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech Language Impairment and Hearing Impairment are following Individual Education Plans to achieve their goals. 
• Parents and carers are involved with the Individual Education Plan development and the Education Adjustment Profile for their child.
• Five year 10 students are involved in industry placements and Work Experience.
• Students actively participate in Swimming and Athletics Sports Carnivals.
• Groups of students are preparing healthy snacks in a Life skills program and there is a ‘bachelor cooking’ group.
• There is an active gardening ‘Green Crew’ maintaining and developing the greenhouse, herb garden and grounds.
• Students are involved in a variety of information, communication and technology projects.

 
Maroochydore SHS Special Education Unit is a large multi purpose building with kitchenette facilities, computer stations, a quiet resource area, staff area and outside deck. The SEU is well and truly part of the school.

Learning Support:

Learning Support for students who are at risk of underachieving or leaving school early because of a cycle of failure at school and students who have serious problems with literacy or numeracy is delivered through the Learning Support Team.

Maroochydore SHS focuses on students appraised at Level 3 learning difficulties.  There are direct teaching programs in Literacy and Numeracy with a range of extra learning support.  The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) supports many students with their class work and general learning through wonderful community volunteer tutors.

Students with appraised learning needs have tailored individual learning plans to develop positive work habits and strategies to become successful learners.   Work effort is focused through personal organisation, time management, attention to detail and persistence. Students are encouraged to develop a sense of achievement and purpose through establishing core literacy and numeracy skills and the ability to transfer these skills to other subject areas.