About Our School

About Us

Hamlyn Views School is a Special Developmental School that opened in term one, 2018. It provides specialist education for children and young people with a moderate to profound intellectual disability and accepts enrolments from eligible students from Foundation to Year Twelve. The school has been built to accommodate up to 168 students and provides an option for families, complimenting other special education provisions in the Greater Geelong area. It has the same enrolment requirements as Barwon Valley School in Belmont.

The school has been built as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) school as part of a Learning Communities Victoria consortium with key partners WATPAC, AMBER, Victorian School Building Authority, CERES and SPOTLESS. The PPP model means the school is financed, designed, constructed and maintained by the private sector to high contractual standards over 25 years allowing the Principal and Teachers to focus on student learning rather than asset management.

Hamlyn Views School has high expectations for all students and aims to ensure their successful futures by providing a safe, respectful and personalised learning environment that values and demonstrates care, innovation and inclusive practices. The school offers a comprehensive and sequential continuum of learning based on the Victorian Curriculum A – 10 and ASDAN (Years 11 & 12), as well as integrating programs and content to develop student’s independence, real-life skills, personal and social capabilities.

 

 

Principal’s Message

As the foundation principal of Hamlyn Views School I am pleased to welcome you to our school website. I hope you enjoy exploring the content, and that the information it contains is relevant and informative.

We are committed to being an outstanding provider of inclusive education in the Barwon area and have engaged a high quality staff team who work together with families in partnership to ensure all students have every opportunity to learn and grow within a caring and inclusive school community. Staff aim is to understand the needs and interests of each student and authentically build their skills and capabilities so they can increase their preparedness to participate in all aspects of life, both in and beyond the school gate.

Within specialised learning spaces we actively create personalised learning experiences where students are provided with a tailored program to meet their individual learning and therapy needs. Programs delivered respect and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences of all our students ensuring every opportunity for success. We want all our students to achieve their very best and value parents/carers support and participation in their child’s school life.

I look forward to meeting new families and working effectively together to ensure each and every student attending Hamlyn Views School develops, thrives and feels safe as they grow in our special learning community. You are most welcome to contact us to make an appointment to learn more about our unique special developmental school and take a tour of our world class facilities. 

Suzanne Armstrong
PRINCIPAL

Vision, Mission & Values

Our Vision: To be an outstanding provider of inclusive education that promotes individuality, fosters innovative practices and sets high expectations for all.

Our Mission: To create a safe, respectful, evidence-based learning environment where a diversity of student learners feel: valued, actively engaged, challenged and supported to achieve success and maximum independence post-school.

Our Values:  Safety, Respect and Learning

 

FAQ

What students can enrol?
  • Foundation to Year 12.
  • Diagnosed with an intellectual disability, ranging from moderate to severe. FSIQ < Under 50.
  • Eligible for the ‘Program for Students with Disabilities’ (PSD).
What is the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) application process?

 

  • Assessment Australia are contracted by the Department of Education to coordinate PSD assessments that include an IQ Assessment and Vineland. Current therapy and/or medical reports are required to provide evidence for a child’s application along with an Educational Needs Questionnaire. Many families have NDIS therapists who can assist by providing reports such as Speech, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. The Principal or Assistant Principal will step families through the PSD application process.

PSD Information Guide For Parents And Carers   Attachment needs to be updated – Ash will have the latets version

Are enrolments open?
  • All enrolments for term one, 2022 should be finalised by 1st November, 2021. Late enrolments will be considered on a case by case basis.
  • Contact Principal Suzanne Armstrong at school Phone: 03 5215 5700 or via email: hamlyn.views.school@education.vic.gov.au
Is there a bus service?

DET provides contracted buses to transport students to school, subject to distance to school and available seats. Bus Forms will be provided to families so students can travel on the bus, this will also include an individual travel plan. Currently the school has three buses.

 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/going-to-school/Pages/zones-restrictions.aspx

What curriculum is offered?

The school provides a comprehensive and sequential continuum of learning based on the Victorian Curriculum F – 10 that includes levels A to D, as well as integrating programs and content to develop students’ independence, real-life skills, and personal and social capabilities. Senior Secondary students undertake ASDAN.

Are therapy services provided?

Therapy is available to support student’s educational access to the curriculum designed by   therapists in conjunction with school staff and families. We currently employ a full-time Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist and full-time Physiotherapist. Aquatic Therapy is provided to some students as determined. In semester one 2022, Music Therapy will be delievered two days per week by a qualified Music Therapist. Our therapists are supported by a full-time Allied Health Assisstant who works acrosss all classes to help implement programs and provide individual therpay support to students.

 

We endeavour to work closely with NDIS therapists to support individual students. For more information about our Integrated Services Model contact the Assistant Principal Michele Marcu.

What specialist programs will be provided?
  • Physical Education, including Swimming and Bike Education and Sport
  • Visual Arts
  • Performing Arts
Is there a school uniform?
  • Yes, a school uniform has been designed and it is an expectation that all students wear it. Bellarine Uniforms, Ryrie Street Geelong are the suppliers. Contact number is (03) 5221 9199. A School Uniform List is included in the enrolment pack, or can be obtained from the office.
Are there any Parent Payments?
  • Parent Payment information is included in the Enrolment Pack. Contact the Business Manager Carolyn Haskett for more information about this matter.
How will student transition to the new school be managed?
  • An Inclusion Coordinator will support the transition process for new students coming to our school.
  • Transition sessions and other supports, such as a Social Story, will be organised for new students to the school.
  • An Enrolment Pack will be distributed that will include a Parent Information Booklet, and Parent Payment details.
Important School Dates

School Office Open:  Hours 8:30am – 4:00pm

Student Free Days: TBC 2022

First day for all students: Tuesday 1st Febuary 2022

Foundation times: Foundation students will undertake a phased commencement, attending mornings only from 9:00am to 12:15pm during weeks 1 and 2 in term one.

All Foundation students will not attend on a Wednesday during February, however they will be scheduled for some assessments on these days, which will be co-ordinated by their classroom teacher.

School Hours

School will start at 9:00am and finish at 3:00pm each week day. Office hours are from 8:30am-4:00pm.

Who do I speak to if I have any questions?

Principal
Suzanne Armstrong
Ph: (03) 5215 5700

Assistant Principal
Warren Dawson
Ph: (03) 5215 5700

Business Manager
Carolyn Haskett
Ph. (03) 5215 5700

Staff Profiles

 

Suzanne Armstrong

Principal

Warren Dawson

Assistant Principal

Carolyn Haskett

Business Manager

Ashley Kalkandis

Leading Teacher
Inclusion Leader

Natasha McAuliffe

Learning Specialist
Inclusion Outreach
Coach

Claire Thomson

Learning Specialist
Inclusion Outreach
Coach

Stephanie Caramanico

Office Administrator
Operations

Tina Castillo

Office Administrator
Operations

Amanda Kovacev

Administrative Assistant

Samantha Simpkin

Learning Specialist
Foundation Teacher

Ranelle McNamara

PLC Leader
Foundation Teacher

Rachel D’Cruz

Foundation Teacher

Bianca Tyler

Early Primary Teacher

Monique Laven

Early Primary Teacher

Kate Cole

Early Primary Teacher

Kaleesha Verdichizzi

Early Primary Teacher

Andrew Watkins

Upper Primary Teacher

Sharon Miguel

Digital Technologies
Leader
Upper Primary Teacher

Amy Page

Junior Secondary Teacher

Jacqui Chalmers

Junior Secondary Teacher

Jacqueline Robinson

Senior Secondary Teacher

Olivia Couch

PLC Leader
Senior Secondary Teacher

Jessie Zerbst

Senior Secondary Teacher

Marty Dufty

Physical Education Teacher

Mim Papinniemi

Visual & Performing Arts Teacher

Annie Malesic

Performing Arts Teacher

April Drew

Education Support

Veronica Pulis

Education Support

Ali Woodard

Education Support

Abi Hobbs

Education Support

Sheridan Ball

Education Support

Fiona Foitzik

Education Support

Maryanne Rocci

Education Support

Larissa Young

Education Support

Jess Blakeley

Education Support

Lee Halligan

Education Support

Jackson Shell

Education Support

Alice Ainsworth

Education Support

Tori Cracknell

Education Support

Margret Heatherington

Education Support

Dezi Spathas

Education Support

Kylee Coleman

Education Suuport

Cath Dawson

Education Support

Michele Meisel

Education Support

Megan Willis

Education Support

David Rittinger

Allied Health
Occupational Therapist

Alice Stubbings

Allied Health
Speech Therapist

Sarah Williams

Allied Health
Physiotherapist

Abhi Sarvananthar

Allied Health
Physiotherapist

Natalie Stevenson

Allied Health
Allied Health Assistant

Bingyao Liu

Allied Health
Music Therapist

Leanne Treloar

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Anchi Sherpa

Mental Health 
Practitioner

Jessie Francis

Social Worker

Mel McDonald

Inclusion Coordinator

Paul Tyson

Chaplain

Awards & Recognition

What People Say About Us

Amazing inclusive school with incredible facilities and staff who support our students to meet their full potential and make lifelong friends! It’s a wonderful experience to be part of our school community and watch our children succeed, celebrate their achievements and give them the skills to be the best individual they want to be.

Jess

School Council President

Great school and great teachers. They have helped my daughter with the help she needs

Lorna

Amazing teachers, great support and great programs including incursions and excursions. My daughter has come so far because of the support of the school. Highly recommended.

Jess

My granddaughter attends here. The staff are amazing.. so caring and professional. Harmony could barely speak, now she is saying many words. She has so much more confidence and is always happy to go to school.

Maree