THE Alexandra Hills-based Sycamore School which caters for children on the autism spectrum has applied for high school accreditation.
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The school opened in January last year and is at capacity with 63 students from prep to year 6, and a growing waiting list.
Principal Ronwyn Collier said among their students were children whose families had moved from New Zealand, Canberra and Melbourne to attend a school that offers autism-friendly learning aligned to the national curriculum.
“We have an enormous community of families who require support in not only educating their children, but giving them skills for life,” Ms Collier said.
“Our parents say that when they came here they felt supported by everyone.
“They feel accepted, that they are part of a community.
“There is a connection between parents and between the kids.”
School founder and chief executive officer Cindy Corrie said the school had applied for accreditation for years 7 to 10, to provide particularly for the older students who have started at Sycamore.
“Some of the children who have started with us in prep may be able to re-engage sooner with mainstream, but older students may need more support,” Ms Corrie said.
“We are here to support students’ transitions and pathways but we want to provide flexibility for those who need continued support.”
Senior year levels at Sycamore have 10 students, with a teacher and assistant staff member, per class.
“In a mainstream school, an autism spectrum disorder-diagnosed student would get support for a few hours a week,” Ms Corrie said.
She said Sycamore had a strengths-based approach that focused on things the children did well and could be proud of.
“Some kids were not verbal at all the first day they arrived for prep but now we can’t keep them quiet,” Ms Corrie said.
At Sycamore the students are taught the curriculum but also learn about behaviour, social skills and communication. Occupational and speech therapy are provided at the school and even the playground is designed with children on the spectrum in mind.
Students are visited two days a week by Eve, a therapy dog, which can help them to learn social skills.
Ms Collier said some students spoke to Eve before they would talk to staff.
The school provides personal development training for teachers from mainstream schools and has worked with DXC Technology to provide adults on the autism spectrum with work experience that led to employment.
Most resources at Sycamore have been donated by schools or businesses when they upgrade furniture or equipment, or obtained through grants.
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