Providing quality education for students with special needs
The Distance Education Support Unit (DESU) provides quality programs for students with an intellectual disability, who are unable to attend school in a face-to-face setting. We recognise that every one of our students is unique and requires a highly individualised program. Our professional, creative and talented team of special educators deliver innovative and flexible learning experiences tailored to students' specific needs in a range of learning environments. Using an extensive range of resources and technologies, students are often able to achieve beyond expectations. Our parent/tutors are essential to the success of our programs.
2008 Australian Vocational Student Prize awarded to DESU Student
In 2008 Jeremy Smith graduated from the DESU with his Life Skills Higher School Certificate which was an accomplishment in itself.
Our students' Education Week display was impressive!
As you may know, Education week this year focused on the environment and we were thrilled to have the chance to showcase our students’ environments – and their talents - to the general public.
DESU student competes in Athletics Carnival
Amadis is a keen athlete regularly running and cycling with his dad. Last year he participated in the Sydney City-to-Surf Marathon.
Our Website!
We are thrilled with the response to our website which we launched last year. We appreciate the expertise of Robert Love from Signified who listened patiently to our requirements and developed a dynamic website that provides information to the public and and some clever interactive features such as a student blog and a parent forum in the password protected area. We hope the website will provide our students and parents with a greater sense of school community. We plan to expand the site over time to include a public news section and a classroom for students to download learning materials.
Innovations at the DESU
We are...
- Trialling innovative technologies in partnership with Macquarie University, including blogs for students and providing access to learning materials via the Internet
- Providing satellite lessons for eligible students
- Increasing student independence for communication in the community, utilising the Touch iPod and voice output devices
- Using the Nintendo Wii as a means of developing fitness and coordination through virtual games
- Supporting programs using an exciting array of new resources such as stimulating sensory equipment for students with high support needs
- Expanding interactive lessons with teachers via the internet and through educational software