Carenne Public School - Junior School

Topic Index

• General Information
• Communication
• Independent Living
• Leisure Skills
• Academic Skills
• Behaviour Managment

1: General Information

The Junior School at Carenne caters for students from 4 years of age. It provides programs covering Pre School, Kindergarten, Infants and Primary levels.

At each level the Programs focus on Communication, Independent Living, Leisure, Academic Skills, Behaviour Management, Physical Management and Personal Development.

2: Communication

Each student�s communication needs are usually discussed and prioritised within their I.E.P. Both expressive and receptive needs are considered and aims and objectives set.

Other regular class activities that promote communication skills are:

• Playschool; Excursions into the community;
• Play sessions; Books and stories;
• School assemblies; Language sessions; Computers and Technology.

The Early Childhood Unit at Charles Sturt University also has available a wide range of augmentative communication devices and systems for those students who require this assistance, (eg. Compic, electronic communicators, etc.)

3: Independent Living

Independent Living Skills are vital even at this early stage for students� future needs and some early Independent Living Skills that are included in the Early Childhood Program are:-

3.1 Excursions

Excursions into the community where students are taught safe road crossing skills, safety rules in cars and buses (eg. use of seatbelt, etc.), early recognition and use of community facilities (eg. Library, shops etc.), safety rules within the community (eg. remaining with the supervising adult, etc.)

3.2 Cooking

The students are taught early �cooking� skills, like pouring their own drink, buttering bread and snack making, table manners, opening a range of packaging and eating skills.

3.3 Dressing

Dressing skills are taught according to the needs of each student.

3.4 Toilet skills

Sensitive toiletting programs are developed according to the needs of each student. This may include - toilet timing, toilet training, the need to tuck in clothes and wash hands, privacy, etc.

All Independent Living Skills are prioritised and taught according to the needs of each individual student.

4: Leisure Skills

Leisure Skills are very important in the early Childhood Unit. Our programs include music, art, craft, play skills, developing hobbies and interests, indoor and outdoor games, swimming, bike riding, use of playground equipment, sport and horse riding.

5: Academic Skills

The case conference process allows the teachers in the unit and the parents of our students to set priorities and develop an individualised academic program for each student.

According to needs, this program can include:-

• Maths - money, counting, number recognition, addition and subtraction, time, number writing and use of a calendar.
• Reading- sight words, phonics and readers.
• Writing - letters, numbers, words, sentences and personal details

6: Behaviour Managment

Staff in the Early Childhood Unit are trained and experienced with developing and setting up behaviour management programs. For those students who require this help, staff, in conjunction with parents and other relevant personnel (eg. school counsellor) are able to establish needs and set up individual behaviour management plans.