It has long been recognised that some children with autism manage well in the mainstream classroom with support, but for others a large, busy classroom can be an over\u2013whelming experience. For children like this, a smaller class size and specialist intervention assist them in reaching their goals and thriving in the education setting. Using a collaborative planning approach involving the parents, specialist educators and allied health teams, programs are created to assist students in building strong foundations for their education journey ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the leadership of Green Point Christian College (GPCC) the move to establish Yattalunga Valley Christian School (YVCS) has been prompted by numerous families looking for a suitable place to better meet their child\u2019s needs, and specifically to support children who are on the Autism Spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After many years and months of planning and preparation, YVCS commenced in January 2022, with 10 students across Kindergarten to Year 2. Current Head of Primary at GPCC, Mrs Nicole Smith, has been invited to oversee YVCS as Principal, with a team of specialist teachers and teacher aides being employed to work in the school. Each child also has a team of allied health professionals such as Occupational and Speech Therapists who collaborate on the students Individual Plan (IP), and who are able to hold their sessions at school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal of Yattalunga Valley Christian School, Mrs Nicole Smith stated that, \u201cour initial year the students have settled well and made new friends. All students have an individual plan and are working towards goals set by both parents and teachers, in line with NSW Education Standards Authority outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We love our kids, and they love coming to school \u2013 YVCS Teachers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s more, \u201cour students are taught that they are unique, special and created by God. They each have areas of strength to celebrate. Students attend Chapel and library with GPCC students each week, and enjoy playing together with the GPCC students on the playground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The school has had a significant impact on parents also, with one mother commenting that, \u201cMy child was only attending school for two hours each day. I could not hold down a job and was constantly being called to collect him from school each day distressed. From the beginning at YVCS he is staying for full days; he is happy, engaged and loves coming to school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another parent added that, \u201cthe teachers are amazing; they communicate daily about what is happening at school through photos and messages. I can see that my child loves the smaller environment where he is known, safe and programs are adjusted to suit his needs and learning style.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While YVCS has begun with only 10 students in 2022, the school will grow each year in accordance with demand for places. Enrolments are based children having a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1 or 2), with eligibility to attend YVCS dependent on the child\u2019s assessed needs. This ensures that YVCS can provide any specialist support that is required, that children are well\u2013placed for success, with appropriate peers, and in a setting which best meets their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further information on eligibility, and applications for enrolment with YVCS are now open through the Yattalunga Valley Christian School website at www.yvcs.nsw.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Advertorial<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It has long been recognised that some children with autism manage well in the mainstream classroom with support, but for others a large, busy classroom can be an over\u2013whelming experience.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2920,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"series":[170],"class_list":["post-2919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","series-on-the-coast-families"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/teacher-assisting-schoolkids-drawing-class.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/feed\/podcast\/on-the-coast-families","embedCode":"Specialist support helping children on the Autism Spectrum thrive<\/a><\/blockquote>