Glenroy Specialist School

Glenroy Specialist School provides education for students with physical disabilities from prep to year 12 in the northern region of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

History

Glenroy Specialist School was officially opened on 17 February 1976 in Box Forest Road Glenroy.[1] The school was purpose built on ten acres of land, with three acres being under roof. The building consists of 22 classrooms, two gymnasiums, swimming pool, a large hall, and several areas catering for the physical therapy of the students. During 2011 work started on a new building to house Glenroy Specialist School after the student population outgrew the Box Forest site, which had developed significant structural issues. A new school building was designed by Peter G Lyall and associates,[2] and opened January 2013. The new Building is located in Hilton Street, Glenroy.

School structure

The school is divided into separate sub-schools: junior, middle and senior.

Junior school

Junior school is made up of Red and Yellow Sections and accommodates students up to the age of approximately eight.

Middle school

Once students leave the junior sub-school they go to middle school, which is made up of Light Green and Blue sections.

Senior school

Senior school includes classes for transition, sensory students and also students studying the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) certificate, and students preparing to enter the VCAL class.

VCAL

Glenroy Specialist School offers students aged from 16 to 18 the opportunity to participate in a VCAL program.[3]

VCAL is a hands-on educational certificate for students in years 11 and 12. It also allows students to practise personal skills and develop work related skills.

Students achieve the set VCAL outcomes by completing projects of their choice. Past projects have included Tuck Shops, Pyjama days, performances and a variety of stalls. The VCAL program was introduced at GSS in 2005 when the school won the "Student Team Achievement Award" presented by Education and Training Minister Lynne Kosky[4]

Therapy

Yooralla provides students at Glenroy Specialist School with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology. Therapists work with teachers to support students access to their learning.

Physiotherapy

The physiotherapists at Glenroy Specialist School help to encourage independence. They provide strength and fitness training modified to suit individual needs and disabilities. Apparatus such as standing frames, splints and arm wraps are used to build bone and muscle strength and stretch muscles. Physiotherapists also assist in providing the correct equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, walking frames, etc.

Occupational therapy

The occupational therapists at Glenroy Specialist School assist students in using equipment to gain independence. Some of the equipment used include: hand splints, ankle foot orthotics (AFOs), mealtime equipment, modified writing equipment, class chairs, hoists, computer access equipment, hand grips, switches, personal care items, scooters, bikes and wheelchairs.

Speech pathology

Speech pathologists assist students to eat and drink safely, effectively and independently and also train other staff to assist students. Speech pathologists also help students with their speech articulation, literacy and grammar.

Speech pathologists assist students to communicate using equipment such as: communication books, iPad, communication devices, signing, Picture communication symbols and switches.

References
  1. "Yooralla History". Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  2. Peter G Lyall and Associates design for Glenroy Specialist School
  3. The Age article on VCAL students 2010
  4. Minister for Education VCAL awards media release

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