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All their students are on autism spectrum somewhere. Total staff strength in the school is at 20, of which 12 are teachers, the rest being teacher-aide and support staff. Daily School hour is from 9am to 230pm.

Learning is truly personalised for every student in the school. We had a brief lesson observation on a classroom of 6 students with a diversity of interests: From Photography, Video games, Computing, Hair and beauty to Sumo wrestling. It is indeed inspiring to see the teachers in Croydon so passionate, patient and kind to work on and work with every child on their area of interests, encouraging them in the process.

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It is very interesting that the school decided to use martial arts as a way to train the students in their self discipline and focus. The principal stresses that every warrior is a protector not a fighter.
the other focus of the school is on developing the social skills of the students because most of them were lacking the social skills of their age.
It is important that the advisors identify the need in each student which is not met and getting to know how they can really help the children. It was important that the children will not be pigeon holed with a diagnosis.

there are many posters in each of the classroom that encourages students to change their words and their mindsets. It speaks of the messaging that is being sent to the students on a daily basis.
one example is :
“I can't read”

“I’m going to train my brain in reading”

It is also very encouraging that students can now gain entry into university based on their portfolio instead of the usual Victorian certificate of  education (VCE). This is an area that the Singapore education system can learn from.

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A small building that nurture special needs students in a big way.

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A small building that nurture special needs students in a big way.

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A big difference with all the other schools we have visited. No great facade but it is a place that builds the nurture special needs students in a big way.
They try to help all special needs students to learn in a clean environment.

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This little reminder in the board of Croydon is  important for all students or adults.

Before we speak we must assess ourselves.
Is it helpful?
Is it inspiring?
Is it kind?
is it necessary?
Is it true?

I can mix their orders up and it still a good reminder.

We may not need to have all five but if we can reinforce our children and ourselves on the need to "think' before we speak. It is enough to build one up.

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Sense a richness in their curriculum
Loving and caring environment - matching and charting individual students' learning needs to help boost their learning needs.

Lead students to see their worth through little
success. This will help to Inspire and help students to start loving learning again.

A place where students can be inspired by the drive of passionate and effective trs.

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Croydon Community School is not a normal government mainstream school. It reminds me the ITE or Spectra in Singapore.

In Croydon, they customize the learning for each of their students using the individual learning plan in order to foster their students' individual interest, needs and abilities. They also have weekly assembly planned and hosted by different level of students to encourage them to participate and communicate confidently with others. There are also display sessions for the students to show case their works and learning progress.

Another thing that moves me a lot is the dedication of their teachers. It is not an easy job to be a teacher, let alone the students they teach need extra attention and care. Their passionate in teaching and love for their students really touch me a lot. The picture attached shows the message they paste on the wall in the staff room. It reads: "if kids come to us from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our job easier. if they do not come to us from strong , healthy functioning families, it makes our job more important." This shall be the most important take away from Croydon Community School and something that continues to remind myself --- the reason why I become a teacher. And, I will definitely share this visit and learning experience with my teachers when I go back to school.

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Some of the great effort:*Feedback to parents on weekly basis on the good things that happened about their child*Education support/aid for each class to assist the teacher.90% students stay in one room with their tcrs, min movement, build bonds with mentorExpert time-indiv / grp lsn eg music with a professional*More unconventional teachers who are more creative & artistic, they prefer Croydon than the usual main stream sch. Do not like the formalities *Difficulties in finding internships as the mentor do not get paid, has to take 1 or 2 days of from their own job and be able to handle students with special needs*No prob finding partners for work experience, get returns as stu are working for them

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Some of the great effort:*Feedback to parents on weekly basis on the good things that happened about their child*Education support/aid for each class to assist the teacher.90% students stay in one room with their tcrs, min movement, build bonds with mentorExpert time-indiv / grp lsn eg music with a professional*More unconventional teachers who are more creative & artistic, they prefer Croydon than the usual main stream sch. Do not like the formalities *Difficulties in finding internships as the mentor do not get paid, has to take 1 or 2 days of from their own job and be able to handle students with special needs*No prob finding partners for work experience, get returns as stu are working for them

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Observed a Math lesson. Interesting, students were learning v basic math but good thing was the tchr made connections to what they were learning at their job attachment

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Allows the individual students to have the freedom to explore their interests. They have a termly presentation to showcase their projects to peers, teachers and parents.

Parents play a proactive role in the school. A child will only gain admission into the school upon interview and after they have undergone a trial period. Only when the child expresses interest in the school then they will be admitted.

Currently there is about 30 children waiting to gain admission into the school.

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The school system seems to be something like our ITE/ Pathlight/ Northlight schools but with less structure. The emotional support system in the school is very strong and teachers here are v patient.

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The students at the college are comprised mainly of those with autism. The year 12s are required to take a VCAL which is an assessment of applied learning. They are required to pass this to move on to work or possibly higher education. The school tries to help those who do not pass to find a fit in the workplace. The level of care the school shows goes beyond what is required

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The work experience is an important source of authenticity. The matching of the students with these corporations allows the student to gain valuable experience of the work place

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Making thinking visible. Clear guidelines

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The exhibition of the Individual Learning Plan is a form of incentive for the students to showcase their passions. The process of completing the ILP allows for formative assessment as well as the advisor gets to facilitate the learning through negotiating research and formulating a presentation for an exhibition. There is one each term and thus after each term there is a chance for the student to change his focus area or continue on to delve deeper into his passion

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- an environment of safety, belonging & respect enables the pupils to have confidence to learn and grow here where they may have not have thrived in other schools
- the strong focus on each individual's talent and passion brings out their gifts which would otherwise have been overshadowed by their learning disabilities
- the presence of many posters with clear instructions and guidelines makes the thinking and decision making process visible and easy to follow
- there also many visible reminders for both the staff and students to focus on the positive and what's

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To learn how the school works on building the community

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To learn how the school works on building the community

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To learn how Authentic Assessment is carried out in the school and its impact on the teaching and learning.

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To learn how Authentic Assessment is carried out in the school and its impact on the teaching and learning.

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To learn more about the Big Picture model where there is individualised Planning Plan and appropriate goals.

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To learn more about the Big Picture model where there is individualised Planning Plan and appropriate goals.