The Deaf Facility

The Rosanna Golf Links Deaf Facility was established in 1996 to give children who are deaf or hearing impaired the best possible access to an inclusive mainstream education. In 2009, 25 students received Program for Students with Disabilities PSD funding through DEECD and are enrolled in the Deaf Facility.

The Deaf Facility provides experienced, trained Teachers of the Deaf who work closely with the mainstream teachers, to support deaf and hearing impaired students in accessing mainstream education. The Teachers of the Deaf adapt the curriculum to suit the needs of individual students as required.

Our Goal  

To provide deaf and hard of hearing children with support and access to a program that meets their individual needs and allows them to achieve educational success within a primary school setting.

Support With Learning   

The level of support offered is matched to the needs of each student, and includes the following:

• Language and speech sessions with an emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills.

• Interpreting using Auslan, Australian Sign Language in English word order.

• Withdrawal groups in a variety of curriculum areas as needed.

• Teacher of the Deaf support within the classroom.

• Access to the recently developed school based Deaf Studies program P-6.

• Participation in Deaf cultural experiences such as performances by the Australian Theatre of the Deaf, annual state-wide Primary Deaf Sports day and interaction with visiting deaf adults.

• Support to participate in extra curricula activities such as learning a musical instrument, band, Signing Club.

***Auslan LOTE 2010***

In June 2009 Rosanna Golf Links Primary School School Council approved that the new LOTE for the school would be AUSLAN.  This will commence at the start of the school year 2010.

Technology

• Maintaining fully functioning hearing equipment is a priority of the facility.

• All staff have an understanding of FM systems and wear transmitters in the classroom and specialist subjects.

• Each child wears a microlink with either their speech processor or hearing aid.

• Wall Pilots are operational in each classroom and in each of the specialist areas. When students change rooms, the microlink frequency is automatically changed as they enter the room enabling the students ease of access to any teacher’s voice.  Rosanna Golf Links was the first school in Australia to be fitted with Wall Pilots.

• Several classrooms at each level of the school, and the school's Multi-purpose Room have Soundfield systems.

• A large area FM transmitter is used for students to access assemblies.

• Students use computers, the TTY and have access to captioning.

Educational Priorities

• Individual Learning Plans in Speaking and Listening are set up for each child based on current speech and language assessments.

• Individual Learning Plans in Personal Learning and Interpersonal Development are also established.

• Student Support meetings are held twice a year where parents are involved in developing learning goals for their child.

Other Professional Assistance

Teachers at the Facility liaise closely with Australian Hearing Services and the Cochlear Implant Clinic to ensure that each student has the latest hearing equipment and that all equipment is expertly maintained.

• All students are assessed by a speech pathologist every two years.

• A paediatric audiologist from Australian Hearing visits monthly.

• Support is offered to the family through Deaf Children Australia, ‘Fun Up North’ FUN network and other agencies.

What do our students think?

‘I like doing problem solving using the interactive whiteboard in the Deaf Facility and the conversation chairs help me learn about how to have a longer conversation.’ Callum 10 years

 ‘As I’ve got older I don’t go to the Deaf Facility so much because I get help in the classroom and I’m getting smarter.’ Elena 11 years

What do our parents think?

More Information

Please feel welcome to make an appointment to come and visit us.
If you require information regarding enrolment please phone 9458 3343 or alternatively contact the Deaf Facility Coordinator Jan Wigley via e-mail.