Principals Welcome

Welcome to Port Phillip Specialist School. The school prides itself in providing exceptional education for students with intellectual and associated disabilities from 2.8 to 18 years.

Port Phillip Specialist School is committed to the values of professional collaboration, trust, compassion and respect whilst embracing diversity. Our students learn in an environment that is flexible, positive and creative. We believe every student can learn and experience success when the appropriate supports are in place.

At Port Phillip Specialist School, students are engaged through the Visual and Performing Arts to achieve Victorian Curriculum learning outcomes. Teaching and learning programs are student-centred, focusing on individual student’s needs. A highly skilled team of therapists work collaboratively with teachers and education support staff to ensure well-being is supported and learning goals are met.

We pride ourselves in providing a welcoming, engaging, and safe learning environment for our students, where they are part of a community. Our passionate team works collaboratively with families and the community to maximise opportunities for every student to reach their full potential. I am proud to be the Principal of Port Phillip Specialist School and invite you to look at the website.

Anne O’Brien
Principal

Vision, Mission and Values

Our Mission

PPSS is committed to values of professional excellence, co-operation and respect while embracing diversity. Our environment is creative, accepting, flexible and positive. PPSS believes that all students will develop capabilities, in communication and independence, to the best of their abilities. PPSS supports students to build confidence and demonstrate capabilities in an environment that is respectful and supportive.

Our Values

Our values at Port Phillip Specialist School, we are genuinely invested in our students who are at the heart of all we do. We are driven by trust, collaboration, compassion and respect to inspire and empower each other, our students, their families and our whole community. We hold ourselves accountable to these values and bring passion and joy to our students’ learning through our unique and creative approach to delivering the curriculum.

Trust

Trust empowers us all. We trust each other to act, and, in turn, we feel trusted to act ourselves.

Collaboration

Collaboration is the essence that drives the actions and interactions across our school community. We work together to support all students.

Compassion

We remain open and willing to feel for others, in order to gain insight into their experiences.

Respect

We respect the diversity of our community and value the ideas and wellbeing of every individual.

School Council

The role of the school council is one of setting the long term future for the school and maintaining oversight (not management) of the school’s operation. The Council delegates responsibility for the operation and administration of the school to the Principal.

The three critical roles of our school council are as follows:

  1. Developing the strategic plan.
  2. Approving the annual budget.
  3. Setting and reviewing policies.

Other roles include:

  • School maintenance
  • Sub-contracting
  • School community engagement
  • Fundraising

The 2024 council consists of the following members:

  • Paul Grant – President (kahapa8@gmail.com)
  • Melanie Rigby – Vice President
  • Jo Edmonds – Treasurer
  • Vince Distefano
  • Deborah Halliday -Fundraising/Marketing
  • Suzanne Morrison – Fundraising / Marketing
  • Michelle Blannin (Co-opted Member)
  • Mona Singh
  • Kath Lancaster (DET)
  • Tash Adler (DET)
  • Anne O’Brien (DET) (Anne.Obrien@education.vic.gov.au)
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Foundation

The Port Phillip Specialist School Foundation was established in April, 2000. The Foundation was established as a charitable institution to raise funds to provide educational facilities and benefits to the students of Port Phillip Specialist School.
The Foundation has raised funds and has helped to procure the donation of services, goods, and materials which have been used in progressing the integrated services approach, the provision of medical, dental, and occupational therapy materials and facilities for students. In addition, the Foundation has been involved in the construction of the Visual and Performing Arts Centre that has enabled us to fully implement our innovative Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum.

You can learn more about the Port Phillip Specialist School Foundation on their website.

Members

  • Melissa Raby: Chair/ Secretary
  • David Selby-Smith: Treasurer
  • Lisa Zembrodt
  • Melanie Mcintyre
  • Anne O’Brien – PPSS Representative

Policies and Documents

Parent Documents

Parent Resources

Child Safe Standards

Our Commitment to Child Safety

At PPSS, we consider the health, safety and wellbeing of all children and young people to be our highest priority. Read about our commitment to child safety in our policies below.

Child Safe Standards Policies

Policies

Curriculum Policies

Environment and Health Policies

Finance Policies

Management Policies

School Documentation

 Annual Reports

Annual Implementation Plans

Strategic Plan

Donations

If you would like to make a donation via internet banking please use these details:

Account: Port Phillip Specialist School Foundation Inc.

BSB: 083-368

Account Number: 484780751

Description: Donation Full name

Please send a confirmation of payment email to foundation@portphillip.vic.edu.au and include:
Your name, address, contact telephone number, date of payment and amount paid.

The Foundation has tax deductible status as a recognised charity and accordingly, all contributions of funds, services, goods, and materials are recognised as tax deductible.

Please contact the Principal on 9646 0855. 

Donate via trybooking

NDIS Navigator

Port Phillip Specialist School is excited to be part of the NDIS Navigators initiative to support families understand and navigate the NDIS.

The role of the NDIS Navigator includes:

  • Providing information and advice on the NDIS and available supports
  • Providing support when accessing the NDIS
  • Providing support with ongoing management of NDIS plans and how to raise questions or concerns with the NDIA or NDIS funded organisations
  • Assisting you to connect with a NDIS Local Area Coordinator Partner and/or Early Childhood Partner for advice and support
  • Providing guidance at transition points (for example, school leavers)

If you would like more information or to discuss how to access the service, please call the office on 9646 0855.