npsds

Our school runs a specialist maths program where classes have a specialist math’s session. The classroom teacher works in conjunction with the specialist Math’s teacher to plan a program to develop and extend the students skills. These sessions cover areas of the curriculum that the classroom teacher and the Math’s coordinator feel need further development. Some of the areas that are covered include time & money, measurement and data, looking at length and area. The younger classes look at number, which include counting, numeration and patterns. We also look at sp----ace, which includes shapes and location. The special needs classes use a more sensory approach to their learning and are involved in a very tactile program using all of their senses.
The students are assessed at the beginning of the year using the Early Years Numeracy Interview or the Concord Supplementary Numeracy Interview, where appropriate, which assists in assessing where the students strengths and weaknesses are.
The students are also involved in whole school activities during Literacy/Numeracy week sharing and working together.

The Art program at Noble Park S.D.S. enables all children to express themselves through a wide range of materials and techniques. It also allows them to learn new ways and skills to apply these materials and techniques. Materials used in the program include paints and dyes, soft and dry pastel, crayon and chalk, clay and plaster. These are used in a wide variety of ways. For example, using clay, children have the opportunity to pattern clay slabs, and make vases and bowls. Paints are used for easel painting, painting with hands, brushes and rollers, and printing. Children have the opportunity to explore art according to their own ability levels. They are also given the maximum opportunity to do their art independently.
Art activities generally take place under the themes that classes or sections are doing each term. This helps make the art more meaningful to the children, and link the art program to the children’s home classroom. Each year, the school has an art show, either on or off campus, where each child has at least two of their art works on display.

The Physical Education program is designed to suit the individual abilities of each student and to provide them with the opportunity to practise skills. Students focus on developing gross motor skills, ball handling, aerobic exercise routines and walking and running to maintain and improve fitness.
Students participate in a range of sports and games including cricket, T Ball, football, basketball and soccer. The activities, sports, games & equipment are modified and selected to be age appropriate and to suit individual abilities.

Together the school works with music therapy to support and develop the interests and abilities of students. Regardless of physical or intellectual ability, each student has opportunities to grow in their confidence to do their best and be proud of it. We play with a wide range of existing music based programs, with an emphasis on live music making. The methods include education, language, dance, instrumental, band, singing and voice work, as well as independent recreational skills. We will continue to expand programs to meet the needs and abilities of students.
We play music for ourselves… We learn music… and we like to share our singing and playing.

The role of Occupational Therapy at Noble Park SDS is to evaluate and improve the skills a child needs for independent living, play and learning. An Occupational Therapy program may consider areas of gross motor skills, fine motor skills, visual perceptual and sensory issues and other prewriting and writing skills. Intervention may include one to one therapy, group programs and consultation to teachers and parents to provide appropriate strategies for the classroom and home environments. In the classroom environment, the aims of Occupational Therapy are to complement the child’s learning goals and provide appropriate strategies and therapy to progress the child towards achieving these goals. The school’s Occupational Therapists oversee programs in hydrotherapy and provide consultation regarding the school’s sensory curriculum and meal time assistance programs.
In the areas of independent living, Occupational Therapy can provide advice and intervention for addressing personal care, equipment requirements for seating and positioning and equipment needs to improve personal care strategies. Additionally, appropriate linkages with community resources are made on behalf of the children and their families to support these needs.

The speech therapy program is a whole-school program, incorporating the Early Education Program through to the senior classes. The program takes a number of approaches to therapy, including whole class sessions, small-group work and some individual sessions. A functional approach to communication is the basis of the speech therapy program, meaning students are encouraged to communicate using the modality most appropriate for the child. For example, a child may use sign and gesture as well as words to express themselves. The program includes the Picture Exchange Communication System, Makaton signing, electronic alternative communication systems, language therapy, as well as consultation regarding feeding and swallowing issues.

Physiotherapy at Noble Park SDS includes individual assessments of all students with a physical disability and then planning and implementing appropriate exercise programs. Intervention may include one to one therapy, group programs and consultation with teachers and parents to provide appropriate strategies for the classroom and home environments.
Physiotherapy aims at improving gross motor skills, postural correction, strengthening, balance and gait education. We support our families with clinic and other medical appointments and are closely involved with student rehabilitation following surgery or medical intervention.
Our physiotherapists also assist in prescribing relevant equipment including wheelchairs, seating, standing frames, walking frames and orthotics.
We help the children experience a variety of movements and activities. The physiotherapists work as part of a multidisciplinary team, working together to gain maximum functional potential from all our students.