Special Education

WELCOME TO KUTA-KAYA!

At Kurri Kurri High School our Special Education Faculty is located in a bushland setting surrounded by native flora and fauna. The faculty is named Kuta-Kaya, Wonnarua meaning "Think strong, able, powerful." Kuta-kaya sees the provision of a safe, caring, and positive learning environment as one of our most important goals and the authenticity of student learning programs drive these goals. The teaching, learning and support provided to students ensures skill development and success in the areas of learning, social, emotional, communication and work readiness skills.

Our Goals for Our Students

We aim for students to use Life Skills and Mainstream curriculum as a preparation tool for post school activities and employment.
We aim to implement successful integration of students at both a school and community level, we do this through our community access program and connecting with other networks such as the Avenue and Mai-Wel.
We aim to support social, emotional, and academic growth of all students through small group, individual and whole class learning opportunities both onsite and within the community.

What do our students get access to in each of the stages?

STAGE 4: Year 7 & Year 8

Community Access programs
Passion Projects
English, Maths, Geography, History, Science, Work Education, Personal Development.

STAGE 5: Year 9 & Year 10

Work Skills programs
Community Access programs
Whole school sport
English, Maths, Geography, History, Science, Work Education, Personal Development & supported in mainstream electives across the school

STAGE 6: Year 11 & Year 12

TAFE courses – including YES short courses
VET courses – including Hospitality, Metals, Timber & Horticulture
Transition to Work programs
Community Access programs
English, Maths, Geography, History, Work and the Community & supported in mainstream electives

The three pathways of learning in Kuta-kaya

Here in Kuta-kaya we offer three (3) different learning pathways.

1. Big Picture Style – We offer a big picture style of learning where our students are encouraged to develop their independent learning skills. Students learn through their passions and have the opportunity to experience learning through internships. We have two classes that offer this pathway.

2. Transition to work – Our senior class (Y10, 11, 12) has a focus on transition from school to life after school. Our senior students learn the skills they need to be active and responsible participants in our community.

3. Life skills – Our life skills classes provide support in curriculum access, communication, social skills, personal care and safety, mobility, and health care through authentic learning opportunities. We aim to facilitate programs that link students with key agencies and community groups, and support them in their transition through school to adulthood as lifelong learners.

Our Teachers

Our teachers are specialist educators for students with diagnosed disabilities and provide individualised learning programs through a range of direct instruction, collaborative learning projects and ICT tools.

Head Teacher - Aimee Watkins (Relieving)

Kirawa (lizard) – Mainstream/Big Picture – Alex Newman – alexandra.newman@det.nsw.edu.au

Pintu (Kangaroo) Life Skills – Andrew Davis andrew.davis@det.nsw.edu.au

Kawul (Eagle) – Life Skills - Kurt Lomas – kurt.lomas5@det.nsw.edu.au

Warikal (Dog) – Senior Transition Class – Sheba Boyd – Sheba.boyd4@det.nsw.edu.au

Wuwing (Magpie) IO Class – Aimee Watkins – Aimee.Watkins4@det.nsw.edu.au

Marin (Emu)- MC/AU class – Dominique Cook Dominique.gillette5@det.nsw.edu.au

Kukaparr (Kookaburra) – ED Class - Marissa Smith – marissa.shields@det.nsw.edu.au

SLSOs

Students are supported by a dedicated team of full time learning support officers who provide individual and small group support to all students participating in core and mainstream classes as well as community access and work experience.