About Our School

Our school is a safe, nurturing place where students can thrive within a community bound by our values of teamwork, respect, inclusion, responsibility, achievement and optimism and driven by our shared commitment to create safe, respectful and responsible learners. These School Wide Positive Behaviour Support values underpin all aspects of school life and are evident in our interactions and practices.

We are a vibrant and engaged school community whose focus is on creating positive and motivating learning programs and meaningful experiences aligned with the Victorian Curriculum (F-10) and outcomes of the Victorian Certificate for Applied Learning (yrs 11-12), through a hands on an functional approach to learning.

Our highly skilled team of teachers and education support staff are complimented by a dynamic and outcome focused multidisciplinary team consisting of 2 Speech Pathologists, 2 Occupational Therapists, a Music Therapist and a Psychologist, and transition team, this year we have also appointed 2 engagement and well-being staff to facilitate a team approach to promoting engagement in learning and increased wellbeing for all.

Curriculum access is maximised through the work of our therapy team:

Speech Pathologists work in partnership with all staff to support our communication accessible community. They are committed to supporting our students access the curriculum and engage with their environment using their preferred mode of communication.

Occupational Therapists work with students and families to develop and further enhance play and social skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, self-care skills, sensory and self-regulation and pre-writing and handwriting skills.

Our Music Therapist encourages teachers to use music in the classroom that assist in engaging students in learning activities. On referral she also engages students in 1:1 or small group sessions to recognise and express feelings through music, use instrument playing/exercise to develop skills such as matching and sequencing, stimulate communication through song-based techniques and practice musical play.

 Structured teaching is used to provide routine and predictability and to assist our students to make sense of the expectations placed upon them. We set high expectations for all and review evidenced based practices ensuring our students receive the very best educational opportunities.

Teachers work in collaboration with education support staff to deliver personalised programs that meet student’s needs. Access to learning is supported through strategies developed in collaboration with parents through a multi-disciplinary approach.

We recognise the value added by parents and carers and invite you to be partners in your child’s learning journey, our termly student support groups (SSGS) are critical in the setting, evaluating and reviewing of individualised goals and celebrating the progress of your child.

We realise that transitions can be challenging and anxious times and therefore focus on supporting you and your child as you move through the school and onto post school pathways.

At Eastern Ranges School we are committed to a constant cycle of school improvement, our 3 priorities for 2019 are:

1. Excellence in Teaching and Learning focusing on Whole School Curriculum Provision.
2. Positive climate for learning focusing on student and staff wellbeing.
3. Community Engagement in Learning focusing on building communities with parents and the broader community.

The School is further supported by a committed and informed School Council and governing body. Collectively we work together to reach aspirational goals that define Eastern Ranges as a centre for exemplar ASD practice within the community.

Please contact me at the school should you require further information or if you have feedback that could further enhance our school and the experience for your child.

I look forward to welcoming you to our positive and vibrant community.

 Davina Bate

 Principal

At Eastern Ranges we work together to create safe, respectful and responsible learners.

Child Safety

Eastern Ranges School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and has a zero tolerance approach to child abuse. The rights of young people are considered when decisions are made that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and / or linguistically diverse backgrounds.

In our planning, decision making and operations, Eastern Ranges School will:

1. take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
2. value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
3. foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks or harm to children;
4. respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
5. provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
6. engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development.
7. ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and are supported with alternative communication methods to express their concerns and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
8. report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
9. share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk;
10. value the input of, and communicate regularly, with families and carers.

Child Safe Policy 2019

Enrolments @ Eastern Ranges School

The process of searching for a school for your child is exciting yet complex and can be overwhelming but also reassuring. We aim to remove as much anxiety from this process as possible in a child-centred, case-by-case approach.

Enrolment Criteria to establish eligibility

Eastern Ranges School has very specific criteria for enrolments that is supported by the Department of Education and the Program for Students with Disabilities. The criteria is used to establish eligibility against the PSD funding model, which is a vital component of the individualised programming we provide to all our students.

In order to assess the eligibility of students for Eastern Ranges School we require: ERS Enrolment Requirements 2019-2020

In addition to the documentation requirements, eligibility is further determined by the residential location of students.

Eastern Ranges School has a very defined zone for student enrolment according to our DTA (Designated Transport Area).

Click to view the ERS Enrolment Policy August 2018

View the Autistic School DTAs

School Tours

School Tours for Term 3 will be held on Friday 2nd August, Tuesday 13th August, Monday 2nd September and Friday 13th September.

Tours are completed in groups, this means places are limited and prior booking is required.

Please contact the school office for more information and availability.