Students with disabilities

The Support Unit at Crestwood High School has four classes: one class for autistic students and three classes for students with primary physical disabilities. At the start of every school year, each student has a planning meeting with teachers and their parents or carer to address their educational and personal goals. At the meeting an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed. We offer our students the following programs:

• Comprehensive educational and vocational programs. Students in the support unit complete a Life Skills School Certificate and Higher School Certificate.

• Classrooms which utilise a variety of technology from computers to assistive devices. They include Apple and IBM computers, scanners, digital camera, Internet, CD burners and modified switches.

• Independent living skills programs based on students' needs and abilities. We currently provide: travel training, community access, shopping skills, money management and training for a Learner Driver Permit

• Access to mainstream courses for social and academic development. Students in the support unit are able to access the 100 hour subjects, accredited towards their Life Skills School Certificate. Subjects include: Gourmet Cooking, Dance, Drama, Computer Programming, music and many others.

• Successful work sites for our work experience programs, including Warrah Farm at Dural, Baulkham Hills Shire Council, Spotlight, Big W, Woolworths and Cumberland Industries. Students from Year 9 onwards are assisted at these sites by a job coach.

• Access to TVET (TAFE Vocational & Educational Training) and discrete TAFE courses. Students are supported in these courses by a teachers aide from school or TAFE for their note talking and exams.

• Integrated sport (Touch Football, Netball, Bowling) and specialist sporting events through the school, Northcott Society and Push & Power Association. Students participate in swimming, athletics, wheelchair football and wheelchair soccer carnivals.

• A therapy team of Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist and a Clinical Nurse. Students are referred to the team and assisted with therapy programs at school and for home. We offer a Hydrotherapy program in Terms 1 and 4.

• School to Work Transition program for our Year 12 students helps them to understand ATLAS funding procedures and make appropriate choices for post school options service providers.