The school banded at level 7 (previously band 11) independent public special school with an active and enthusiastic principal, three deputy principals, heads of curriculum and learning and teaching staff of special education teachers, teacher aides, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, two guidance officers, chaplain, and administrative, grounds and cleaning support personnel, including a dedicated business services manager and workplace health and safety coordinator.
The current principal taught in early intervention, primary, secondary and special education settings, as well as colleges of technical and further education and university. She is research masters qualified in special education, having studied intellectual disability and autistic spectrum disorder as well as having conducted master’s research into the links between reading achievement and student self-esteem. The principal’s professional focus relates to achieving high quality student learning and life quality outcomes within values-based leadership that aims to foster creativity, risk taking, initiative and entrepreneurial endeavour. Her primary focus for ongoing professional development has included longitudinal training and certification in positive behaviour support and the multielement behaviour support model through the Institute for Applied Behaviour Analysis, California, and leadership approaches derived from neuroscience and complex negotiation.
The careers of all middle leaders at the school span a depth of experience in state and private sectors internationally.
The permanent deputy principal has university qualifications in special education and like the principal, has achieved an advanced skills qualification in functional behaviour analysis through the Institute of Applied Behaviour Analysis, California. Her professional interests include positive behaviour support, autistic spectrum disorder, physical disability, medical supports, distributed leadership and community engagement in schools.
The current acting deputy principals have extensive qualifications and experience in special education and expertise in positive behaviour support, adaptive and augmentative communication, early intervention, personalised learning, curriculum adjustments from Prep to year 12, transition planning, trauma informed practice, vocational education, work experience and whole of life planning.
The Darling Point Special School staff team boasts a breadth and depth of qualifications, experience and expertise. Our school has actively recruited special education trained teachers with knowledge that enables them to provide individualised programs that meet the strengths and needs of the range of students at the school. Teachers have particular expertise in applied behaviour analysis, positive behaviour support, adaptive communication, Auslan, mobility and positioning, literacy and numeracy, as well as visual arts, music, dance, drama, science and environmental science, and neuroscience and multi-modal teaching round out a skilled workforce focussed on student strengths, interests, learning and ongoing development towards maximised independence. Various teachers also hold Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, meaning they are qualified to deliver and assess vocational certificate courses.
Teacher aides have at least Certificate 3 in Education Support or are working towards this formal qualification or similar. Several teacher aides have achieved diploma level qualifications.