From Wagga Wagga Kooringal

The special class at Kooringal PS is one of many such classes at local government schools. There is another K-6 special class at Lake Albert Public and three more at Tolland PS. When students progress to secondary school, they are able to attend Willans Hill or a special class at Wagga Wagga High School which is investigating the installation of an age-appropriate set-up for older students. The class at WWHS also benefitted from 2014 Wine and Food Festival conducted by Wollundry Rotary. 

Currently, there are seven students in the special class which has a maximum of 10. The class is a multi-age class with students of different ages. There are 3 students in Kinder, one in Year 1 and two high needs students in Year 5. There are 17 students in the mainstream school with recognised disabilities.

The primary aim of the class is to educate the students by catering to their individual learning needs. The classroom teacher is assisted by a learning support worker and professionals such as speech and occupational therapists. Older students from Yrs 5 and 6 assist the students during break time.

Some students experience heightened sensory sensitivity to the clothes they wear and the noises around them while others are non verbal using technology to learn in a structured environment.

In order to encourage students to become more independent, the teaching program concentrates on teaching modified skills to be used in everyday living. These include the practical activities such as washing, cooking and the use of money when shopping.

Gross motor activities aim to develop muscle and body strength so that students can improve their posture to sit without leaning over each other or furniture and lift themselves. Dream Cricket, a Rotary project is a favourite game. Students in the special class are involved in whole-school activities such as athletics carnivals.

Aiming to foster community involvement with it, the program is attempting to modify challenging behaviours, particularly those involving mental health issues, in order to mainstream students.

The sensory playground for the special class can be seen from Lake Albert Road as you pass the school and will be officially opened Thursday 30 April. It has been constructed to provide tactile and sensory play equipment for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Some students have autism and Downs Syndrome.

The playground incorporates equipment which provides a calming influence through movement, tactile sensations, colours and shapes. Students can lie down in a disc shaped net which swings. Soft fall coverage limits injury, particularly for the student with a shunt who needs to be closely monitored. There are pillows, colourful flower shaped chalkboards and much more.

The play space is used for ‘time-out’ by students who find it challenging to stay on task. It is a safe place outside which removes their distracting behaviour from classroom. Since it has been in use, there has been a noticeable change in student behaviour. Violent and disruptive behaviours has reduced. Students do not need to be sent home as often.

The sensory playground is a valuable resource that has made a huge difference, giving teachers more time to teach. Although the playground has been installed and is already making a difference, the cost of the project needs to be met as soon as possible. Kooringal Public School is seeking financial assistance to fund the project.