Explore your child's potential in our Discovery Centre 

Our Discovery Centre provides a secondary pathway for students who are attending a primary school special class, or who have an Intellectual disability and have been supported in a mainstream primary school. 

We incorporate strategies to develop skills for personal independence and effective participation in society, including functional literacy and numeracy, communication, social skills and work ready skills. Our centre uses Positive Behaviour for Learning strategies (PBL) to support students with their diverse needs and behaviours. Students also participate in a range of recreational programs and appropriate work experience and placement both individually and in groups. 

All students participate in a weekly community access program. Emphasis is placed on transport routines, money transactions, personal safety, personal organisation and community participation.

Inclusion 

Our Discovery Centre promotes a holistic and inclusive school environment by working with mainstream students and staff.  

We collaborate with various faculties and programs around the school regularly where mainstream students come to work with us. This has created a more inclusive and understanding culture for young people with disabilities. Some of our recent activities include working with Home Economics, Child Studies, Technology Studies and Engineering. 

Wellbeing 

We care about our students’ wellbeing and provides a supportive community for our students and families. 

Students in the Discovery Centre join a House System that helps them form strong and lasting bonds with their housemates from years 7-12. Students have daily vertical Grove sessions with their house and weekly Individual Development classes to improve their personal skills. Students can also earn house points for their efforts, achievements, behaviours and engagement in their schooling, which contribute to a House Cup. 

House Teams: 

Milne      Tilley     Robertson     Stevens

Curriculum 

We believe that differentiated learning is the key to seeing all students achieve success. We provide an engaging and innovative curriculum building upon established skills to enhance learning opportunities. In addition to the core subjects, students can engage in elective subjects they are interested in. 

Students can achieve their modified SACE during their senior years.  For more information, please view the curriculum handbook below. 

Extra-Curriculum Activities 

Students in our Discovery Centre have opportunities to engage with various activities including sporting carnivals, clubs, Ladies of Variety, Dream Big Festival and camp opportunities. 

Students can also engage with leadership opportunities within the Discovery Centre and wider school community. A number of students from each year level and house group have the opportunity to join the Discovery Centre Student Council.  

Post-school Options 

Our centre helps students prepare for work after school by connecting them with different employers and agencies. Students do group work experience at supported worksites in year 10 as part of their Exploring Identities and Futures lesson. In our senior class, students can do group or individual work experience every week. 

Many of our students get paid jobs while finishing year 12 through our work experience program. They can also choose a part time timetable that allows them to balance school and work.  

Some students also pursue further education and courses.

Eligibility to Apply for DC Placement  

Students who are attending a primary school special class (or other special option setting), have an intellectual disability or have been supported in a mainstream primary school are eligible to apply for placement in our Discovery Centre. Placement in these classes is through the Secondary Special Options process and managed by the regional office, therefore the school is unable to take direct enrolments. Applications for entry are developed in the Primary setting in the first term of Grade 6 and submitted to the Northern Region Office through the special educator or the Para Hills District Office on (08) 8314 4000.   

For site-specific questions in relation to programming and/or educational options available please contact the Discovery Centre Leader via email, or by phone on (08) 8282 6400.