MacFarlane employs a Special Education Teacher and a Support Officer as well as a number of special education support assistants to support students diagnosed with high needs.
Special Education covers a range of areas and at the beginning of each year the Special Education team (Principal, Assistant Principal, Special Education Teacher and Special Education Support Officer) meet to discuss what programs will operate throughout the year.
The staff of the Intensive Learning Unit runs programs for individuals and small groups as well as supporting teachers and students in classrooms.
Some of the programs include:
- Speech and Communication – supporting students to develop their articulation skills as well as their expressive and receptive language skills.
- Occupational Therapy- supporting students in the development of fine motor and gross motor skills to improve writing, balance, strength, hand eye coordination and sports skills.
- Life Skills – opportunities for students to work cooperatively while gaining skills that will equip them for life’s work and recreation such as cooking, gardening, budgeting and building.
- Collaborative Learning.
- Anger Management.
- Social and emotional issues as well as behaviours associated with various impairments and disorders.
- Nurture groups- supporting students to build relationships with others.
