About Our School

Principal’s Message

Welcome to Eastern Ranges School where we are committed and driven to seek success for all students in a positive, safe, energetic and collaborative environment that values diversity, respect and recognises the contribution of all, celebrates achievement and builds community.

Eastern Ranges School is located in Ferntree Gully in the North Eastern Victoria Region, we proudly provide education for children with an autism spectrum disorder and an associated intellectual disability, language disorder and complex learning needs, across the Foundation to Year 12 age range.

There are currently 200 students enrolled at our school. Our facilities include age appropriate classrooms and playgrounds, therapy rooms, library, a gymnasium, sports court and pool. The Depot (to develop and build work ethics and employability skills), a primary school kitchen and industry standard kitchen, Eastern Ranges Coffee Beans Café run by our barista trained students, a contemporary living centre that develops functional living skills, and a professional learning centre which supports our commitment to lifelong learning for our school and wider community.

As an educational provider, Eastern Ranges School develops and implements ASD innovative and specialised programs that focus on the needs of students with an autism spectrum disorder.  Our programs are informed by current research and are embedded in best practice and prepare our students and their families for the future.  Our vision is supported through our values of teamwork, respect, inclusion, responsibility, achievement and optimism which are underpinned by our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) commitment to work together to create safe, respectful and responsible learners.

Our focus is on creating personalised and engaging learning programs and experiences that align with the Victorian Curriculum (F-10) and outcomes of the Victorian Certificate for Applied Learning (yrs 11-12), through a hands on and 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, transition team, and an 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 evidence 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 strategic priorities are:

• Excellence in Teaching and Learning focusing on Whole School Curriculum Provision.
• Positive Climate for Learning focusing on student and staff wellbeing.
• 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 who establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the school’s community.  Collectively we work together to reach aspirational goals that define Eastern Ranges as a centre for ASD expertise within the community.

Please contact me directly at the school if you require further information, would like a school tour or if you have feedback that could further enhance our school and the experience for your child.

I look forward to meeting you.

Trevor Hodsdon

Acting Principal