Core Curriculum
ENGLISH (INCORPORATING LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND COMMUNICATION)
Communication is the integral component for every child and Westminster Education Support Centre places an emphasis on developing communication competency for students with complex communication needs. Our school uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Aided Language Stimulation (ALS) to ensure students are meaningfully and actively participating, contributing and engaging in both receptive and expressive language exchanges. AAC is used across all learning areas and a focus on communication is embedded in all learning.
Literacy is explicitly implemented into every lesson throughout the day based on Diana Rigg’s Promoting Literacy Development’s (PLD) innovative, evidence-based approach. This approach focuses on the areas of literacy, oral language and movement and motor.
MATHEMATICS
All students undertake numeracy activities daily, learning skills consistent with their individual learning abilities. Activities include explicit lesson instruction as well as concept learning throughout all activities. Students develop understanding by accessing environmental print and using numbers in everyday situations with an emphasis on promoting functional skills for life such as exploring the concepts of time, measurement and money.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Social Skill development is taught as an explicit subject as well as embedded across all learning. Students are provided with ongoing opportunities to build upon their current skills through social story, role play and guided support during mock and real interactions. Opportunities to foster positive relationships with adults and peers is ongoing. Integration with students in the mainstream Primary School is scheduled throughout the week and less formal opportunities are maximised during school break times.
SCIENCE, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (HASS) AND TECHNOLOGIES
As with much of our content, Science, HASS and Technologies is embedded across much of our daily learning. Formal lessons follow the topic content and year level syllabus of the WA Curriculum.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Our daily fitness program provides the opportunity for our students to engage in a variety of different sports. Our lessons focus on sportsmanship, sharing and helping others to have a go whilst developing physical skills associated with all aspects of fitness. All students are actively encouraged to participate and lessons are framed in a fun, engaging way.
Students engage in formal physical education lessons with mainstream peers where appropriate.
Protective Behaviours - Protective Behaviours is a personal safety program which aims to promote resilience in children using a range of developmentally appropriate strategies. The aim is to encourage our students to become more assertive and resilient to risks or problems they may encounter in their lives.
Whole class and individualised programmes are taught to the students including raising their awareness of their own feelings relating to safety and how to build safety networks. The promotion of personal safety and resilience is generalised at every opportunity.
THE ARTS
Music - Students participate in a weekly music/dance lesson led by our Specialist staff. Student engage in a range of music appreciation and hands on learning to develop individual and group skills and enjoy the opportunity to perform what they have learned and created. Dance focuses on developing coordination, rhythm and movement. The students enjoy following simple steps to different pieces of music and work together to create dancing routines and performances.
Art - Students use a range of mediums to express literacy texts, concepts and themes they are currently exploring. Art is an important way to express feelings and emotions as well as a means for communicating, demonstrating learning and sharing experiences with others.
LANGUAGES
Auslan is taught weekly for our Year 3 -6 students and embedded cross-curricular for all students. This compliments and enhances communication competency for our students with complex communication needs.
SKILLS FOR DAILY LIFE
Each day students undertake a range of daily living tasks relevant to their individual needs. This may include Toilet Training, brushing teeth, washing hands or more advanced skills such as managing clothing and laundry. These skills are highly individualised and will be incorporated into a child’s learning in collaboration with families.
