• Children with a disability
• Students with English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Gifted students
• Aboriginal students

Children with a Disability

If you have a young child aged 0-4 who has a disability, a medical condition and/or developmental delays, they may be eligible for services provided by the Early Childhood Intervention Service.

The service offers a range of programs that:

• provide support and information to families
• provide stimulating activities and experiences suitable for your child’s abilities
• provide ideas to assist families at home
• help children prepare for starting school
• strengthen family capacities to support their child’s learning and development.

Early Childhood Intervention Service offices
Contacts:

Hobart: (03) 6231 1625
Launceston: (03) 6344 1729
Burnie: (03) 6435 2021
Devonport: (03) 6424 3111

Early Childhood Intervention staff also help families whose children are enrolled in their programs to prepare for Kindergarten, and to make the important connections with the school support staff who will assist with the ongoing needs of your child.

In Tasmanian Government schools, students with disabilities are encouraged to attend regular schools. If your child has a disability they will be provided with the necessary support and curriculum to meet their needs whilst being taught with their own age group at their school.

Your child will be supported by teams of professionals that include support teachers, guidance officers, speech and language pathologists and social workers.

If attendance at a regular school is not a suitable option for your child, they may be eligible to attend a special school. Special schools provide the type of specialist facilities, curriculum and support that a child with a particular disability might require. For more information contact the Learning Services office for your area.

Students with English as a Second Language (ESL)

If English is not your child’s first language, they may be supported by the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. This program provides intensive English language support for Kindergarten to Year 12 students.

Support is provided on a needs basis so that students can fully participate in mainstream classes. Priority is given to newly arrived students.

ESL students may be:

• newly arrived refugee students with little or no English
• newly arrived migrant students with little or no English
• adopted children with little or no English
• children whose parents speak limited English at home
• children who are experiencing literacy difficulties due to insufficiently developed first language skills

If English is not your first language, and you need help understanding the Tasmanian education system or how your child is progressing, an interpreter service is available. Ask your school principal for more information.

Gifted Students

Tasmanian Government schools offer extended learning opportunities for gifted and highly able students.

The department has policy and guidelines that define giftedness and provide guidance for schools and teachers.

The Centre for Extended Learning Opportunities (CELO) supports schools and teachers in providing for the educational needs of gifted students from Kindergarten to Year 10. For more information, contact:

Centre for Extended Learning Opportunities (CELO)
Ph: (03) 6233 7188

The Tasmanian Association for the Gifted Inc (TAG) is a statewide, volunteer-run, professional association of parents and teachers. TAG provides information and support for parents and teachers with an interest in gifted children. Resources include books and articles, information packs, newsletters and a bi-annual state conference.

For more information on activities and services contact:

Tasmanian Association for the Gifted Inc
Ph: (03) 0488 291 497

Aboriginal Students

The Aboriginal Education Unit oversees services and support programs for Aboriginal students in Tasmanian Government schools.

An Aboriginal Early Years Liaison Officer in each Learning Service provides support to parents with Aboriginal children aged 0-5 years to prepare their children for school and to access preschool services.

Aboriginal Education Workers are in a number of schools with high enrolments of Aboriginal students in Kindergarten to Year 2. They help Aboriginal students to participate and achieve at school. They work closely with Aboriginal parents and the Aboriginal Early Years Liasison Officers.

Aboriginal Education Officers in each Learning Service support upper primary and secondary students to attend and engage in their schooling.

For more information on services and programs contact:

Aboriginal Education Unit
Ph: (03) 6233 7968