Student Learning Programs
Visual Arts
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Our Art program provides students with regular opportunities to learn through exploring and creating Art pieces. Students are exposed to, and encouraged to touch and explore a range of materials and textures to assist them to create and produce individual and group pieces.
Students will be given opportunities to make choices about the content of their art pieces. Through a supportive environment, they will be encouraged to communicate their needs and express themselves through Art. Programs encourage student participation and emphasis choice making, communication, sensory exploration, motor skills, music and art appreciation. |
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Performing Arts
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The Performing Arts program at Merriang SDS provides students with exposure to the various elements of music, dance and drama in each learning session across all campuses.
In music, students are given the opportunity to explore different genres of music and instruments with the intent of creating their own sound and ownership of their audio pieces. Through dance, students can explore how their bodies work and hone their abilities to follow instructional songs through movement. In drama, students explore theatre games and will experience both the dramatic and sensory elements of storytelling. Many majors in performing arts this year will include activities like singing, developing instrumental techniques, structured and freestyle dance, theatre games and improvisation, as well as performance and opportunities for social/emotional learning. All great outlets for individual expression, emotion and thoughts. |
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Physical Education
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At the Early Years, the physical education program focuses on gross motor skills. In particular, students are introduced to essential movement skills and basic ball handling skills. Skills are taught within a range of different activities and games. Students also participate in Perceptual Motor Programs (PMP) which provides a safe and supportive structure for developing movement awareness. At the Later Years, the physical education program further develops fundamental gross motor skills. In particular, the students develop their ball handling skills and movement coordination. This includes skills such as throwing, catching, ball bouncing, kicking, striking and balance awareness.
By participating in a range of games, physical activities, and sports, students develop their confidence and ability to perform a range of different movements and skills, which in turn improves their strength, endurance, and coordination. Swimming: Every year we run a school-wide swimming program that gives our students the opportunity to develop their water safety and swimming skills from qualified AUSTSWIM instructors. |
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Community Access
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Community Access programs are targeted meet the real life needs of each student. Regular excursions are made into the community including travel training, shopping and a wide variety of other community based activities.
Through participation in local walks and excursions, students will have opportunities to increase their road safety awareness and ability to travel safely on buses. Excursions provide an excellent opportunity for students to take outings with their peers and practice appropriate behaviours in a range of different situations. Programs in this area assist students to become aware of their community and provides opportunities for students to actively participate in local events while developing the skills and behaviours needed to purposefully engage with organisations, groups and the broader community. Work Experience- Work experience can assist students to develop employability skills and an understanding of the work environment, career options and pathways as a positive foundation for their life-long learning. Merriang School has developed a quality work experience program that forms part of the Senior Pathways Program. Work experience skills are practised on campus and developed across a range of industry placements. Current work experience placements for our year 10/11 students include Brite industries supported employment, local Pet Kennelling business, Community Market Garden, Men’s Shed Woodwork, Entrepreneurship program including staffing a stall at Bunnings Warehouse. Post school options include adult education and activity centres. Students also attend local centres to gain insight into the programs offered. |
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Food Technology
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Students at Merriang are involved in cooking programs that focuses on building lifelong skills for now and the future. The program is tailored toward the strengths, interests and skill level of the students. Students are encouraged to learn through a “hands on approach.” Along with developing kitchen safety and hygiene skills, students also have the opportunity to increase their skills in communication, fine motor, sensory exploration, team work, sharing and choice making.
Merriang Cafe Later Years students run their own school-based Café in a dedicated space at Merriang. This program helps students to develop independence, confidence, initiative and the ability to complete tasks from start to finish while providing learning outcomes for students in Literacy, Numeracy and Personal Development. Students from our Early Campus regularly visit the café which is a great role-modelling experience for our younger students while developing relationships between the two campuses. Students practice skill development in the areas of:
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