Secondary programs

Secondary programs at Caroline Chisholm School

Our secondary programs are designed to support students with disabilities in developing essential life, social, vocational, and community skills that prepare them for life after school. These programs are delivered in partnership with specialist external agencies, with the school coordinating student participation and integrating learning across activities.

Post-school & transition programs
Supporting students as they move from secondary school into the next phase of their lives is a key priority of our educational approach. We understand that each student’s journey after Year 12 is unique, and to ensure smooth and successful transitions, our school works closely with specialist external providers. Through these strong partnerships, we connect students with a broad range of post-school programs tailored to their abilities, interests, and goals.

Strong partnerships with specialist providers
Caroline Chisholm School collaborates with expert external agencies specialising in post-school education, vocational support, employment assistance, and community participation programs. These providers offer specialised services designed to build on the life skills and independence developed during secondary schooling. By working in partnership, we support students to experience continued growth and meaningful engagement beyond school.

Personalised pathways for growth and development

Our post-school programs include:

• Further learning opportunities: Community-based courses and workshops focusing on skill development, personal interests, and practical knowledge.
• Supported employment and work experience: Hands-on workplace skills, mentoring, and support to help students access fulfiling and sustainable employment.
• Community participation initiatives: Activities encouraging social inclusion, leisure, and involvement in local groups to enhance wellbeing and connection.

Each student’s pathway is thoughtfully planned to suit their strengths, preferences, and future goals, ensuring a personalised approach that values their individuality.

Building independence and everyday life skills
A core aim of our post-school support is strengthening students’ independence through practical life skills training. This includes developing the ability to manage money, use public transport, communicate effectively, and handle everyday tasks. These skills empower young adults to participate more fully in their communities and manage daily life with confidence.

Fostering confidence and self-advocacy
Our transition programs also focus on developing students’ confidence and self-advocacy skills. Supported experiences help students learn to express their needs, make choices, and build resilience in new environments. This empowerment encourages greater self-determination and positive engagement in adult life.

Collaborative and individualised transition planning
Well before completing Year 12, we collaborate with students, their families, and external providers to develop tailored transition plans. These plans outline each student’s goals, preferred pathways, and the supports needed for a successful transition. Regular monitoring and updates ensure plans remain aligned with students’ evolving needs and aspirations.

Continued support for positive outcomes
Ongoing communication between the school and post-school agencies ensures students receive continuous support during their transition. This coordinated approach helps remove barriers, maintain progress, and foster the best possible outcomes in education, employment, and community participation.

Supervised work experience placements at Scope

Students at Caroline Chisholm School have the opportunity to participate in supervised work experience placements through a partnership with Scope, a specialist provider dedicated to supporting people with disabilities. This program is a valuable component of our secondary and post-school pathways, designed to prepare students for meaningful and sustainable employment.

Program overview
Supervised by experienced Scope staff, the work experience placements provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment where students can engage in real workplace activities. This hands-on learning experience is tailored to the individual abilities and interests of each student, ensuring that they gain relevant skills and confidence at their own pace.

Skill development
Through these placements, students develop a broad range of workplace skills that are essential for future employment. These include:

• Practical job skills: Learning specific tasks related to various work roles, such as customer service, administration, manual handling, or retail duties, depending on placement availability.
• Routine and time management: Adapting to regular work schedules, understanding punctuality, and managing daily responsibilities to build a consistent work routine.
• Following instructions: Listening carefully, asking questions when needed, and carrying out tasks accurately under supervision.
• Problem solving: Developing the ability to respond to challenges and adapt to changes in the work environment.

Social interaction and teamwork
A key focus of the program is enhancing social communication and collaboration skills in a workplace context. Supported by Scope staff, students practice:

• Engaging respectfully with supervisors, colleagues, and customers.
• Participating in teamwork and understanding workplace etiquette.
• Building confidence in expressing needs, preferences, and feedback in a professional setting.

Workplace readiness and confidence
Regular exposure to a real work environment helps students become familiar with workplace expectations and culture. This experience fosters greater independence and self-confidence, essential attributes for transitioning into paid employment or other vocational opportunities after school.

Support and individualisation
Each student’s placement is carefully planned and supported based on their unique strengths, challenges, and career interests. Scope staff provide ongoing guidance, encouragement, and adjustments as needed to ensure a positive and productive experience. The school also works closely with families and Scope to monitor progress and celebrate achievements.

Long-term benefits
Participation in supervised work experience at Scope serves as a critical stepping stone toward sustainable employment, promoting skill development, confidence, and social inclusion. Many students leverage these experiences when pursuing supported employment options or further vocational training after leaving school.

Sailability
Through a valued collaboration with Sailability NSW, students at Caroline Chisholm School have the opportunity to participate in inclusive sailing experiences. This engaging activity fosters confidence, physical coordination, teamwork, and social connection. By working together on the water, students enhance their sense of wellbeing and independence, while actively participating in a community-based recreational sport.

Travel training
Our travel training sessions, delivered by specialised providers, equip students with the skills needed to travel independently and safely using public transport. Students learn how to:

• Read and interpret timetables
• Navigate bus and train routes
• Board and disembark vehicles correctly
• Use Opal cards for fare payments

This program plays a crucial role in increasing community access and promoting student autonomy, preparing them for greater independence beyond the school environment.

Shopping for home program
The Shopping for Home program supports students in developing practical shopping skills through supervised visits to local retailers such as Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings, fruit and vegetable shops, and plant nurseries. During these excursions, students practice:

• Budgeting and managing money
• Selecting quality products
• Communicating with shop staff and peers
• Processing payments accurately

These practical experiences are reinforced through related activities, including the gardening program and the Snack Shack initiative, helping students apply their skills across different contexts.

Gardening program
Delivered as a class-based learning experience, the gardening program complements the Shopping for Home program by providing hands-on opportunities for students to engage in plant selection, cultivation, and care. The program focuses on growing a variety of plants, including herbs and edible produce used in cooking and meal preparation, supporting multiple educational goals within the classroom.

Key benefits and skills developed through the gardening program include:

• Responsibility: Managing daily gardening tasks such as watering, pruning, and monitoring plant health fosters accountability and routine.
• Sensory engagement: Students experience texture, smell, and visual growth changes, supporting sensory development and wellbeing.
• Connection with nature: Gardening nurtures appreciation for the natural environment and introduces ecological principles and plant life cycles.
• Practical knowledge: Growing food plants helps students understand nutrition, food origins, and encourages healthy eating habits.
• Curriculum integration: Skills learned are linked to classroom activities like cooking lessons, supporting cross-subject learning.

The program promotes confidence, fine and gross motor skill development, cooperation, and a sense of achievement within a supportive classroom setting.

Snack Shack
The Snack Shack program is a student-run initiative coordinated by the school and guided by experienced external support staff. Students engage in:

• Safe food handling practices
• Customer service interactions
• Money management
• Teamwork and cooperation

Through operating the Snack Shack, students build essential vocational skills and increase community participation within the school environment.

Click here to learn more about the Snack Shack.

Community access

Many of these programs incorporate community participation opportunities, allowing students to apply and generalise skills learned in school into real-world settings. These experiences enhance social interactions and promote meaningful engagement within the broader community.

The school plays a central role in coordinating these initiatives, ensuring tailored support for each student through partnerships with specialist agencies. Together, we work towards achieving positive outcomes in life skills, independence, social participation, and vocational readiness.

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