Wakefield School (Est 2002) as part of the State Behaviour Initiative, and is located in a semi- rural setting in western Lake Macquarie. Enrolment capacity is for 42 students, 6 ED (Emotional Disturbance) support classes for students in years 7-12. All students attend a 5-day program with 7 students, a teacher and a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) in every class. Students maintain enrolment at their home (census) school. Wakefield has a teaching staff of 8 Teachers including executives, 6 permanent School Learning Support Officers (SLSO's) and a School Administration Manager.
Our aim is to support students in positively engaging in their education. Wakefield School has a commitment to improving their capacity to support the wellbeing of its students. An important part of this process is codeveloping behaviour management plans with the students and empowering them to have ownership of their own self-regulation strategies within a supported environment. In addition to this, staff will increase their understanding of neurosequential development and how to meet the complex needs of students.
Wakefield School creates programming for students that is centred around individual needs, with a commitment to optimising the social, emotional, academic and vocational competencies of our students. Where possible, the school fosters partnerships with vocational education settings, community groups, local businesses, cultural institutions and similar school contexts to promote engagement in the community.
The whole staff have a commitment to creating an environment that is inclusive, trauma informed, highly differentiated and engaging learning environment. There is a partnership with the Hummingbird Centre to provide ongoing support for staff in identifying and meeting the emotional needs of students. This complements the process that were established and refined in previous years, and the ongoing professional learning that is undertaken by staff to improve our practice.
At Wakefield School our Vision Statement:
"Our vision is to empower students to become confident, resilient, self-directed and successful members of the wider community. "