Reservoir Campus

03 9462 5990
03 9460 8058
16-18 Gertz Avenue, Reservoir VIC 3073

Lalor Campus

03 9464 3480
03 9464 4713
2-4 Lyndon St, Lalor VIC 3075

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About Us

School Vision

Northern School for Autism strives to be a centre of excellence.

Mission Statement

Students are supported towards developing their personal and educational potential, so as to be valued contributors to family and community life.

Motto

"Learning for Life"

School Values

  • Trust
  • Understanding
  • Safety

School Rules

  • Listen
  • Be Friendly
  • Be Safe

School Structure

The school is divided into sub-schools according to the stages of schooling (age approximate)

  • Early Years: 5-8 years
  • Middle Years: 9-12 years
  • Later Years: 13-18 years

Class Group Organisation

Class-groups generally comprise eight to ten students of similar chronological age.  Students are grouped according to developmental and educational need. Teachers and teacher aides work in partnership, to support students. Teachers are responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of all classroom activities. Teachers and teacher aides work in teams of two or three in each classroom, and are supported by speech and occupational therapists, specialist teachers and a team of leading teachers.

Allied Health

To support the implementation of the educational programs the school provides a range of specialist services including speech pathology, occupational therapy and access to student wellbeing staff. Through a team based collaborative approach, therapy provision is provided within classroom settings. Teachers and therapists work as a trans-disciplinary team to ensure that students have access to consistent and effective therapeutic programs.

Teaching Philosophy

The school is committed to the implementation of best practice in teaching and learning for students with ASD. The community of NSA believes that to succeed in the world, students need to develop the capacity to:

  • Manage themselves as individuals, and in relation to others,
  • Understand the world in which they live,
  • Act effectively in that world,
  • Make a positive contribution to their world.

Northern School for Autism implements a structured teaching approach that is informed by current research and evidence based practice (TEACCH™). The educational programs build on students’ strengths and skills, within a supportive environment, that accommodates the particular impairments associated with ASD in particular:

  • Communication,
  • Executive functioning,
  • Self-regulation,
  • Sensory needs,
  • Repetitive behaviour, restricted interests and imagination,
  • Inter-personal/social skills.

Northern School for Autism provides:

  • The Victorian Curriculum – tailored to the needs of students with ASD.
  • Individual Learning Plans (ILP) to ensure students develop and learn to their full potential.
  • Highly structured, ASD specific, teaching practices.
  • Small group instruction.
  • School Wide Positive Behaviour Support.™
  • Regular participation in the wider community.
  • Education support services including speech and occupational therapy.