Education
St Paul's College
Villa Maria, through St Paul's College, offers Early Childhood Intervention Services, a Bridging Program and a comprehensive educational program for students aged 5 to 18 years.
St Paul's College is commited to working in partnership with parents to ensure that each child and student has access to an education. St Paul's also provides the opportunity for students to engage in developmental and therapy programs as part of a wholistic education.
Early Childhood Intervention Service
Early Childhood Intervention Service (ECIS) refers to a range of educational, therapeutic, health and community services provided for young children, (0 - 6 years) with additional needs, and their families. It enables families to work together with a team of specialist teachers and therapists to enhance the development of their children, in early childhood, during the time of greatest brain maturation.
Who is ECIS for?
Programs are provided for families with children (0 - 6 years) who have a diagnosed disability or significant delays across two or more domains requiring individually planned and coordinated interventions.
What does ECIS provide?
- Family service coordination;
- Child assessment;
- Individual child developmental programs;
- Play based teaching and therapeutic programs;
- Specialist centre based groups;
- Professional consultancy and support to generic services your child attends;
- Family service and support meetings;
- Reports;
- Transition to other settings;
- Parent education;
- Parent to parent support;
- Information and resources; and
- Community education and advocacy
Service provision is provided through home, centre and generic children's centres based on family preference and need. Group Hydrotherapy, Sensory Integration and Play based specialist groups take place on the Kew site. Parent-to-Parent Support occurs throughout the week in both a formal and informal manner. Games and Gossip Sessions operate on the third Saturday of each month for all members of the family.
Referral process
Referrals are accepted from parents, caregivers, doctors, paediatricians, other professionals and generic children's services. Contact St. Paul's College ECIS to make a time to visit, discuss the program or any developmental concerns you have regarding your child.
Fees
Fees vary according to aspects of the service accessed. The base fee is approximately $130 per term. Family events and all Parent activities are open to all enrolled families.
Contact
- Program Manager: Anne Muir
- Telephone: (03) 9855 7700
- Email: anne.muir@villamaria.com.au
Bridging Program
The Bridging Program has been specifically designed for Prep aged children who need additional preparation in readiness for school.
The Bridging Program introduces students to the structures, routines and curriculum content that they will encounter in their chosen school, whilst maintaining a strong emphasis on play based learning and the consolidation of foundation skills necessary for success in more academic learning situations.
The development of social, language, and fine and gross motor skills is also an important aspect of the program along with the introduction of early literacy and numeracy.
Some children attend the program five days a week while others attend St Paul's for three days and their mainstream school for the other two.
The program is open to children who will be five years of age and eligible to move into Prep but are not ready for the demands of a mainstream Prep classroom.
Contact
- Program Manager: Ann Welton
- Telephone: (03) 9855 7800
- Email: ann.welton@villamaria.com.au
St Paul's College
- Education programs |
- Therapy programs |
- Sensory programs |
- Other resources |
- Referral process |
- Fees |
- Contact
St Paul's College celebrates each student's ability to learn in vibrant and interesting ways.
St Paul's provides an environment that fosters Villa Maria's three objectives; client focus, staff empowerment and create community.
St Paul's College continues to be responsive to the changing needs of students with special needs and enables students of all abilities the opportunity to learn and to belong.
Education programs
All students haveIndividual Educational Programs (IEPs) that are created through comprehensive consultation.
St Paul's is pleased to offer a curriculum relevant to each student's needs and ability.
Therapy Programs
Music therapy
Music has the power to play an important part in our lives. St Paul's Music Therapy program is an integral component of the curriculum and students continue to shine as they express themselves in creative and delightfully innovative ways. We are fortunate to have state-of-the-art music facilities providing students with wonderful opportunities to learn and to experience.
Speech pathology
Speech therapy encompasses more than the name suggests - communication, voice, language, fluency, social skills, swallowing and of course, speech! Students make choises in a variety of activities through auditory scanning, eye gazing or reaching. They also practise their 'yes' and 'no' responses, request an activity or object through the exchange of a picture symbol, tone their tongue muscle thriough exercises and activate their voice output device. Speech pathology is presented in a way that is meaningful, functional and motivating for all students.
Occupational therapy
Occupational Therapy involves exercises and activities that improve hand skills, living skills and visual perception. Activities are varied and cater to the interests of students. Current classes include cooking and gardening.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is not just all stretching and splinting. The students learn and grow stronger through play activities. For younger students these activities help develop gross and fine moter skills. Exercises are designed to teach children about their body position in the space around them.
Sensory Programs
Sensory art
St. Paul's provides a well-established sensory art program. Our emphasis is on the process, not the finished product, so our art sessions are messy and fun!
Sensory rooms
St Paul's is fortunate to have several sensory rooms which encourage students to reach out and interact with the world around them.
Sensory garden
Students enjoy the sensations and experiences of our fantastic sensory garden. The garden features plants of many textures and colours as well as two waterfalls, wind chimes, herbs and the sculpture "Hugh on the Pew in Kew".
The students love using the new wheelchair swings
Sensory Playground
St. Paul's College recently opened their state-of-the-art all-abilities playground. The area features wheelchair accessible swings, flying fox, ramps and games areas. The playground has been designed to cater for all the students as well as their siblings. St. Paul's is very proud of being able to offer such a wonderful facility to its students.
Other Resources
Library
St Paul's library is a very interactive and fun place of learning. Students and staff are encouraged to browse and use the resources at their leisure, attend storytime sessions and make special requests for materials and events. The library also has a computer point where students can access the Internet for information or just for fun!
Swimming pool
St Paul's College has its own 12-metre pool on site. The pool is maintained at 34 degrees celsius throughout the year. All classes participate in hydrotherapy activities in the pool.
Referral Process
St Paul's College is open to any student who has additional needs. These include students with medical, physical, social or learning needs.
Fees
Parents/Carers are responsible for payment of school fees including excursion costs. These are payable termly on invoice. Fees are currently set at $350 per term with a composite fee of $25 also applicable to cover the cost of art classes, physiotherapy and library equipment. Costs of excursions are additional to these fees.
Contact details
- Principal: Mr John De Bono
- E-mail: stpauls@villamaria.com.au
- Address: Gate 3, 13 Fernhurst Grove, Kew 3101
- Phone: (03) 9855 7700
- Fax: (03) 9855 7893
- Postal Address: Locked Bag 20, Kew 3101
- Gender: Co-educational
- School No: Registered Schools Board 1647, Catholic Education Office E1243