Mission Statement

To produce independent, confident and resourceful young adults who are able to live, work and socialise in the community.

Values

• Honesty
• Respect
• Cooperation
• Independence

Whole Department Programs and Activities

Senior Music, Elective programs, specialist sport, Interschool sports, walking programs, camps, swimming and hydrotherapy, Supported Employment Program, Mathematics, English, Science, Arts and Craft, Health and Hygiene, Communication, Travel Training, Music, Dance and Drama, Independent Living Skills e.g. - cooking and gardening, road safety, school responsibility opportunities, work skills, volunteer work, helping in the community and Therapy programs.

Transition Process

Students move to the Senior School at approximately 13 years of age and continue until the end of the year that they turn 16.

They work with a variety of staff and in a range of situations to further develop their independence and functional skills. Senior students are encouraged and supported to take greater responsibility for their own learning and participation. They learn strategies to enhance their social, emotional and physical well-being.

At 16, the students in most cases join the Transition Group of the school which resides in the BER building at the front of the school.

At the end of the year that the students turn 18, they graduate from Dandenong Valley SDS and move on to access an adult program.

See the Transition Page for more details.

Preparing your Teenage for Adulthood

• Assign your child a daily household task - e.g. collecting the mail.
• Expose them to a range of community experiences and activities.
• Enrol them in a club or program such as RAP or Art Access.
• Involve them in all aspects of family life planning for events and decision making
• Expect them to take responsibility for their belongings, equipment and behaviour.
• Encourage them to complete tasks as independently as possible – e.g. showering, eating, preparing for outings.
• Expose them to a variety of people including; carers, family members, respite staff and friends.
• Teach them to use some equipment and appliances in the home.
• Remember that all teenagers, no matter what their ability, move through the same stages of puberty.
• Teach the importance of ‘Public’ and ‘Private’ behaviours.
• Promote appropriate hygiene: Wearing clean clothes, showering and use of toiletries.
• Research and apply for Centrelink payments, companion cards, etc.
• Encourage and Praise positive age appropriate behaviour and good practices.
• Respect them, love them and enjoy them, as they will soon be adults.