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DUBBO’S newest school offers children with special needs a space to learn at their own pace.

Yawarra Community School opened in May and is all about catering to individual requirements.

“We follow the curriculum but in how we can do that for individual kids,” principal Debbie Mccreadie explained.

“In a lot of ways, we are doing what we would do for a child without a disability, but with greater scaffolding and support to reach their goals.”

The process for enrolment at Yawarra differs slightly from most other schools.

“Parents don’t enrol here,” Mrs Mccreadie said.

“They are referred to a placement panel according to their specific needs. The panel looks at placement, taking the parents’ wishes into consideration. We look at their needs, their age and the complexity of their disability.

“Everything is based on the individual needs of the student and

Class time at Dubbo’s Yawarra Community School, where students are guided from early childhood learning through to their post-school transition to adulthood. Below, the school logo. MAIN PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/EMY LOU

a personalised learning plan is done in consultation with parents and carers, speech and occupational therapists and consultants.”

Yawarra also gives students a well-rounded educational experience, taking them from early childhood learning through to

their post-school transition to adulthood.

“We liaise a lot with early intervention if there’s transition of a student. Working together, we need as much information as we can get. We are also working closely with

Westhaven.”

Mrs Mccreadie said the kids are flourishing in the school which has features to aid their learning. “We often need more space, bigger classrooms, wider doorways, the lights can also be dimmed. “There are 13 students here in total. There are four classes (two primary and two high school) and each class has the capacity for up to seven or eight. As well as teachers, there is also a school learning support officer.

“We have already seen progress with the way the kids are performing and working closely with them, we are doing the right thing.”

Explaining the school’s name and logo, Mrs Mccreadie said, “Yawarra is Wiradjuri and means ‘to care for and watch’.

“The shield protects you and gives you the confidence to be the best you can. Circles are drawing together the community, making sure we are not isolated.”