The Education Support Unit at Mercedes College was established in 1968 to provide a variety of support options for students with varying disabilities. The Education Support Unit provides a caring and supportive environment for the students to learn in.  The programmes offered assist students to develop to their full potential and function as independently as possible, at school, in the community and the workplace.  All students participate in an individual curriculum with an Individual Education Plan for each student. 

In Years 7 to 9 students participate in regular classes with the support of an educational assistant.  Students are also withdrawn for intensive support in the unit, where they are engaged in programmes that focus on developing literacy, numeracy and social skills. 

Senior students in Years 10 to 12 are provided with a curriculum that concentrates on providing the students with specific transitional skills.  The students are provided with vocational training and spend two days each week completing Structured Workplace Learning. 

All students participate in ‘Beadazzled’ the unit’s Enterprise programme.  Enterprise provides the students with a context for their learning, and it is through this medium that literacy and numeracy skills are taught to senior students. 

Students also participate in the Central Tafe Gymnasium programme.  Each student has a personal trainer and all activities are tailored to meet each student’s individual needs.  The programme includes fitness assessment and training, team and individual sporting activities, dance and a gymnastics programme. 

The Educational Support Unit also has an apartment on campus where students are able to learn independent living skills in a ‘real life’ environment.  Senior students participate in our ‘Pathways to the Future’ programme that is aimed at preparing the students to live independently.

Sr Vedette Lendich SSC

Head of Education Support Unit