The Shepparton CRT Support Network was recently contacted by the Berry Street School (Shepparton campus) to build a CRT Workforce. We would like to thank the staff for this wonderful opportunity for interested members.
The inductions have now been concluded! Thank you everyone for your interest in working at the Berry Street School and the best of luck to those currently applying for positions!
The inductions have now been concluded! Thank you everyone for your interest in working at the Berry Street School and the best of luck to those currently applying for positions!
 |
| Marcus Cook; Senior Manager of Education and Training. |
The Berry Street School is an Alternative Education campus and as such it is important that CRTs be adequately prepared for the environment they will be encountering and working in. To this end, the school and the network cooperated in creating a format for CRT inductions that was mutually beneficial to both the school and the attending CRTs, helping make sure that the CRTs and the School were the "right fit".
The Berry Sreet School specializes in students who have been disconnected from their education. These are not "last chance" students who have been expelled multiple times and on their final legs, they are students who are suffering in their schooling because of the situations in their life simply providing too many roadblocks for a mainstream classroom to be effective. The School operates on a specialized Trauma Informed educational model addressing the needs of students facing a wide range of adversities.
The supportive environment provided by the school is astounding.
- Specialized timetable catering to student needs in an effective manner.
- A shortened but intensive school week.
- A wide range of Special Projects and electives.
- A target of a 1:6 Teacher to student ratio (classes of 12 with 2 teachers present).
- A heavy focus on community involvement for their students.
- An on-staff Student Wellbeing officer.
- In-home visits by professionals to help disadvantaged families to obtain appropriate community and government support.
- Frequent and high quality Professional Development activities for staff.
 |
| Library/Common Room. |
On arrival we were suprised at how small the school was and the method in which it has been constructed. It didn't take long to understand that despite this they have maximised the space on offer. Although small, and adapted from a "second hand" facility,the school offers it's staff and students a pleasant environment. It is clean and well-maintained including the outdoor areas.
 |
| Plesantly Rural outdoor setting |
Despite being "in Shepparton", it is on the outskirts giving the school a "rural" feel.The outdoor seating is very communal and offers a panoramic view of open fields giving the area a wonderfully relaxing feel.
 |
| Art Room |
The art room is spacious and full of displays of student work. It displays an equal, and in some cases higher, level of work you would expect to see in mainstream schools catering to the same age students.
 |
| Woodwork Room |
Next to the Art Room is the Woodwork room. It is well stocked with both hand and power tools and I know of other schools who would be envious of the array of equipment on display. The Woodwork room gives students hands-on experience in many areas of carpentry and joinery, helping to align the students with a trade or further TAFE qualifications.
The Shepparton CRT Support Network is proud to have been able to assist a school doing such wonderful things for their students and their community. We also applaud your commitment to your CRTs, to provide them with the appropriate supports and training and welcoming them into your school's community.
We look forward to a working with you in the future!
Regards,
Melinda Lichnovsky-Klock
Shepparton CRT Support Network Co-ordinator.
