Mary Brooksbank School

Mary Brooksbank School offers educational programs for students with special needs from their early years through to the end of high school within a caring and supportive environment.We have a reputation for excellence in special education. We are part of a network of services for children with special needs provided by the Department of Education and Training. We are part of South Western Sydney region. Students attend this school following placement and recommendatons from a regional panel.All students have a primary intellectual disability.Students may have secondary and multiple disabilities. The school provides quality curriculum access with accomodations and adjustements for all students on an individualised basis. We implement K-6 curriculum and K-12 lifeskills curriculum. All students work towards the School certificate and Higher school certificate. In 2010 Mary Brooksbank School was awarded a Director General award for School achievement. This was in relation to our work in estabslihing a numeracy framework for special needs learners. In 2009 we were state finalists in the “Centre from Learning Innovations (CLI)- Digital story awards” and in 2008 we received a South western Sydney Director’s choice award for excellence in Special Education. Our school priorities for 2009-2011 are focused on state priorities of literacy, numeracy and innovative digital technology. We have a strong student welfare focus including positive behaviour support, therapy support and community based programs.The individual programs are designed to focus on student achievement in order to promote individual development and success for an independent future. We have a strong focus on academic skills and promote a high expectations for all students. The staff at Mary Brooksbank School are well qualified and professional. Each teacher and class is supported by a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO. The teacher to students ratio is 1:6 for students with severe disabilities and 1:9 for students with moderate disabilities. We have strong links with the parents, our P&C, inter agencies and the wider community. The school buildings and grounds were specifically designed with the needs of students with disabilities taken into consideration. In 1999 a new heated hydrotherapy pool was opened and is used to provide therapy and swimming programs to students and members of the local community. We are committed to quality education and equity for all.