Introduction

MGHS Support Unit has 11 classes consisting of seven Multi-Categorical classes (MC), one class for students with ASD, one Hearing class, and Wyvern and Phoenix for specialised behaviour and wellbeing support for students. 

The Process

The process to gain a place in a Support Unit class is managed by Maitland Education Office through an Access Request.  Parents and carers cannot directly enrol a student in the Support Unit.

Students placed by Maitland Office will be given extra transition time with our Support Unit, including an intake meeting, and staggered orientation days.

Our Unit

The Support Unit does not utilise a home room model of education; instead it uses a high school model with students moving between different classrooms and class groupings, are taught by Support Unit teachers supported by different SLSOs in each of their classes. 

We operate from the grounds above the Western Oval, allowing our students a collaboratively-designed precinct that enhances students’ abilities to learn and develop in a space that is conducive and responsive to their particular needs.  Our Support Unit is very much a part of MGHS. 

Staff

All permanent and most of our temporary teachers have both university qualifications and experience working with students with diverse learning and wellbeing needs. Our dedicated SLSOs are skilled in supporting students in all aspects of their learning and wellbeing.

Indiviual Education Plan (IEP)

All students in the Support Unit have an IEP. At the beginning of the year parents, students and staff meet to formulate goals in three main areas; Numeracy, Literacy and Social/Behavioural goals. Hearing students have an additional hearing goal and First Nations students have a learning/cultural goal.  In Term 4 these goals are reviewed with parents/carers, students and staff meeting at the end of the year.

Whole School Events

Support Unit students participate in all whole school events including Tuesday afternoon sport, sports carnivals, and year specific excursions.  

Grossmann Cafe

Support Unit and mainstream students run Grossmann Cafe on Mon, Wed and Fri, before school and at Break 1 for students and staff. Students are responsible for all aspects of running a café including cooking slices and biscuits, setting up and cleaning tasks, serving, making hot and cold drinks, ordering groceries and making announcements. 

Community Access

All students participate in programs to access the community. This includes travel training, work sampling, recreational sampling, excursions within the local area and further afield to Newcastle. Each year all students go on at least one overnight camp: either an outdoor camp and/or to Sydney.