Port Phillip Specialist School is a Department of Education & Early Childhood Development Training (DEECD) government funded school.
Previously the school was located in a small house on Richardson Street, Albert Park. The school was relocated to the Nott Street campus in December 1996. The Honorable Jeff Kennett, Premier of Victoria, opened the school in May, 1997.
The school caters for a diverse population of students with mild to severe intellectual disabilities from age 2.8 (Early Education Program) to 18 years of age.
Port Phillip Specialist School’s transport zone extends through the south-eastern suburbs of Albert Park, Malvern, Caulfield, Carnegie and St Kilda.
All students living within the school’s transport zone are provided with government funded transport to and from school.
The Visual & Performing Arts
Port Phillip Specialist School has developed an innovative approach to delivery of curriculum that employs the power of the arts as a vehicle to engage students with learning in Literacy, Numeracy and Living Skills.
This model is called the Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum (VPAC). It uses Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts as a means to engage special needs students in learning skills that will ensure they reach their potential and are able to function as independently as possible.
At Port Phillip Specialist School we teach English (Reading & Writing, Speaking & Listening), Mathematics and Living Skills. We deliver the VELS curriculum though the VPAC Curriculum.
Port Phillip Specialist School offers a unique and innovative model for teaching students with disabilities. Current research evidence supports the power of visual and performing arts impacting cognitive development and in motivating and engaging students in the learning process.The arts provide a vehicle for highly meaningful interaction and engaging curriculum delivery.
Programs we offer include:
Working Towards Level 1 VELS, VELS, VCAL, Early Learning Program (ELP), Music, Choir, Swimming, Hydrotherapy, Motor Sensory, Personal Development, Physical Education, Fast 4Word, Coffee Shop, Collaborative Arts Programs- music, dance, drama, visual arts, Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Intensive Interaction, Declarative Language, Independent Living Skills in the House, Cottage Garden, Community Access, Canteen Preparation.
Our expertise includes:
Expert Teachers, Music Specialist, Art therapy, Drama therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physio Therapy, Social Services, Psychology, Art Specialist, Drama specialist, Audio Visual Technical Specialists As well as employing the arts, a key component of VPAC is the integration of therapy services. A wide array of therapists such as, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapist, Speech Pathologists, Art Therapist, Drama therapist, and Music Therapist work closely with class teachers and specialist subject teachers to plan and deliver programs to students.