Student Support
Sharing the Listening
Aquinas College is now in its tenth year of partnership with St Mary's College for Hearing Impaired Students. This Catholic Special School has its primary school base in Wantirna South and has three secondary school campuses. Aquinas is the largest of these campuses. This partnership has been a great blessing for both schools.
The students from St Mary's wear the Aquinas College uniform and take all of their classes at Aquinas, but have their own specialist staff skilled in working with hearing impaired children. The St Mary's community has been embraced at Aquinas College and it is a partnership that has richly assisted the life of the Aquinas community. Enrolment enquiries for young people with hearing impaired disabilities can be directed to St Mary's through their Principal Ms Marie Fram on (03) 9800 2733.
Careers
The College has a Career Counsellor who provides the following services to students:
- Individual career counselling for students in Years 10 - 12. This may include consultation with parents both during and outside of school hours.
- Year 10 students have two individual career counselling sessions and all use the computer program 'Career Voyage' to assist with career choice.
- Work Experience when requested.
- An extensive transition program for students moving into VCE, focussing on appropriate subject choices and achievable goals.
- Individual counselling for all Year 12 students in post-school options such as tertiary study, employment and assistance with VTAC applications.
- Assistance with individual progams to meet student needs (eg Growth and Pathways Program for appropriate Year 9 & 10 students).
- A fortnightly career newsletter for senior students.
Students are able to access a wide range of resources from the Careers Centre. These include University and TAFE handbooks, pamphlets on various careers, videos and the Job Guide. The school network is equipped with a number of computer assisted programs which include OZJAC, Career Voyager, Course Scan & Courselink.
Youth and Family Centre
The services provided by the staff of the Youth and Family Centre are a significant component of the educational facilities available to students and families at Aquinas College. The two psychologists, family therapist and social worker provide counselling and support for a range of educational, personal and family issues and concerns.
This service is available to parents and students and is provided in individual, group and family settings as appropriate. The Youth and Family Centre's Co-ordinator may also provide a useful starting point for information about adolescent issues and referral sources.
Health Care
The Health Centre is available to all staff and students and is operated by two qualified Division 1 nurses. The Health Centre services the health needs of our school community on a daily basis and provides initial care and follow up of all serious injuries. It provides assistance with medication and monitoring of medical conditions - in particular Asthma, Diabetes and Epilepsy.
It is a liaison link between staff, students and parents with regard to health issues. The Health Centre endeavours to care for and educate students in health seeking behaviours and healthy lifestyles. The Health Centre maintains confidential health records and monitors the incidence of all accidents and injuries.
Education Support Services
The Education Support Services works with students, parents and teachers to enable students who are supported through Government funding, or who are experiencing learning difficulties, to access the curriculum through parallel or support programs. Teachers refer students to Education Support Services for educational assessment. Through discussion with teachers and parents, a decision is made as to the most successful mode of providing educational support for the referred students.