Our Vision
We provide Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with an individualised approach towards lifelong wellbeing and success.
What We Provide
Indooroopilly SHS is proud to have the largest cohort of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in Queensland. With this comes a team of passionate and dedicated staff within the school and Deaf Department.
Meet the Team
Our team focusses on building strong relationships with students to better understand and support them. All students are given the confidence and tools they need to establish their identity and advocate for themselves.
Teacher of Deaf (ToD)
Our Teachers of the Deaf (ToD) work alongside Educational Interpreters (EIs) and Auslan Language Models (ALMs) to ensure each student is able to access the curriculum, connect with their peers, and communicate with all staff. They collaborate with classroom teachers, ALMs, EIs, specialist staff including visiting teachers and allied health professionals.
Educational Interpreters (EIs)
Educational Interpreters are fluent in Auslan and either hold or are working towards NAATI qualifications. Educational Interpreters do not teach sign language; their primary role is to facilitate access to classroom content and the school environment.
Auslan Language Models (ALMs)
Auslan Language Models are crucial in schools for providing Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students with a natural and accessible language environment, fostering better communication, cultural identity, and academic success. Their presence also promotes awareness and understanding of Deaf culture within the broader school community, creating a more inclusive and supportive educational setting. Our ALMs provide language modelling for students learning Australian Sign Language (Auslan), as well as EIs and teachers. They assist with understanding the curriculum through targeted tutoring, including checking comprehension, difficult vocabulary, and clarifying homework/assessment tasks. Additionally, they support classroom and school-level inclusivity by planning and delivering Auslan education programs and Deaf storytelling sessions in collaboration with a ToD. They also prepare materials to assist teachers and DHH students. They help students build confidence, independence, and wellbeing through various educational and social approaches, and provide Auslan interpretation when needed to facilitate communication.
How We Support
Personalised Learning Plans (PLP)
Together with the Parent/Carer and student, we consider strengths and needs of students to ensure equitable access to education. These reasonable adjustments are then communicated to classroom teachers, and staff, through the development of a PLP. This helps ensure teachers are aware of individual requirements.
Deaf Literacy Tutorial (DLT)
This targeted program is for students who require additional support related to curriculum learning. The goal of this program is individualised and priority areas for learning are identified by a ToD in collaboration with classroom teachers. This includes, but is not limited to, pre-teaching language and concepts, using visual aids break down complex or new topics, and scaffolding assessments.
P-ACT
P-ACT (Pathway to Action) supports individual learning through areas of interest and life skills. Students achieve success through goals and challenges with scaffolding support from their teacher. All learnings are designed to develop skills for learning, work, and life. Some of the projects student work on are: school community mural and gardening projects.
Homework Club
Supervision from an Inclusion Support Teacher (ISD) and/or DHH teacher is available if students want additional support with their homework. Students are welcome to complete their homework independently, seek advice on assessment tasks, or receive targeted support on individual work. Homework club is open every morning (except Thursdays) from 8.00am – 8.45am in S03.
Therapy Dogs
Who does not love to interact with dogs? Ludo, Pretzel, and Truffles join our team on different days throughout the week. The dogs join in with assemblies, visit exams, attend specific classrooms when needed, and enjoy time in the P Block garden and classrooms.
Individual Curriculum Plans (ICP)
With the goal of working towards accessing learning at the same level of peers, we work with parents/carers and teachers to identify, modify, and teach curriculum. This is for individuals working above and below the student's current chronological year level, and other times it is above.
QCIA
The Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement is an alternative senior certificate. This program developed to maximise student individual learning during their Senior years of schooling. Our ToDs work with classroom teachers to identify, develop, teach, and assess students who are working towards their personal goals, which can include up to 3 QCE/VET subjects.
External Therapists
We have access to a range of Department of Education therapists such as Occupational Therapists (OT), Physiotherapists (PT), Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), and Advisory Visiting Teachers (AVT) who have specialist disability areas. Therapists provide targeted skill building to support students to participate in classroom and school activities.
Transition Support (Junior)
The Head of Department – Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOD-DHH) collaborates with primary schools to facilitate the transition from primary to secondary school. We provide two half-day transition sessions for ISD and DHH students coming into Year 7 the following year. Transitioning DHH students are also invited to an additional, Deaf specific transition day in term 4 of the year prior.
Transition Support (Senior)
Transitioning away from school can also be challenging. We work with students and Parents/Carers to ensure clear pathways are developed around academic, qualification, and employment ambitions. We offer:
- Work Experience
- TAFE at School
- Study sessions where possible, to ensure they are confident and prepared for the next stages of their lives.
Lunch Time Clubs
Clubs that are facilitated in Auslan are:
Auslan Film Club – students from all year levels work together to create Deaf short films.
Auslan Club – led by our ALM staff and students, any student is welcome to attend learn and/or continue improvement.
Other School Clubs - DHH students who wish to participate in a lunchtime club, will be arranged an interpreter for access.
Certificate II in Auslan
This is a one-year course delivered free of charge, on site, to senior school students. This course begins with introductory signing skills and Deaf culture knowledge and protocols and then moves to communication skills in routine contexts. Students will understand Auslan signs and frequently-used expressions related to relevant topics of conversation, including: basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, and employment.
Captions and Translation
We have a dedicated captions and translations officer on-site who provides valuable captioning and translation services. This resource effectively bridges language barriers, improves accessibility, and fosters inclusivity for both students and staff.
Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days
On average, once a term, students are invited to attend a KIT Day. This is a great opportunity for DHH students to connect, collaborate and come together with students from other South East Queensland State schools. Students participate in a number of different learning activities and life skill sessions through the day, all linked to the Australian Curriculum learning areas of English, Auslan, Health & Physical Education and the General capabilities (personal and social). The KIT Day also aligns with the Department of Education’s Wellbeing policy.
State-wide Deaf Camp
Deaf camp is organised by Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service and invites all DHH Students in Queensland to attend. The purpose of camp is to ensure DHH students wellbeing is nurtured. DHH students are given the opportunity to interact and connect with like peers in Auslan and to develop strong self-identity through interaction and challenge in the outdoors. This leads to improved school attendance and learning outcomes. Part of the camp is also aimed at developing leadership skills.