Hearing Unit
Staff in Hearing Support:
Leanne Stansbury (English/ HSIE)
Maila Hay (Mathematics/ Science)
Sisi Zhang (English/HSIE)
Eliza Sibbald (SLSO/ Auslan)
Abbey DeGuara (SLSO/ Auslan)
Matthew Cooper (SLSO/ Auslan)
Welcome to the Hearing Support Unit
Our team includes two full-time and one part-time School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) who provide assistance across various subject areas using both English and Auslan. All of our SLSOs hold formal Auslan qualifications.
Our Hearing Support Unit is a happy, inclusive, and welcoming space, with some students even choosing to spend their break times here. We are proud of our dedicated staff and vibrant student community.
Who We Support
Our Hearing Unit supports students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those with varying degrees of hearing loss and additional communication needs. Placement is based on thorough assessments to ensure each student receives the appropriate support and access to learning.
Several students follow the Life Skills curriculum tailored to their personalised learning requirements, ensuring their educational journey is supportive and meaningful.
How We Support Students
Students in our Hearing Unit learn through:
- Small group and one-on-one teaching tailored to their listening and communication needs
- Lessons adapted to their individual hearing abilities and learning goals
- Specialist staff including teachers of the deaf, speech therapists, and support personnel
- Access to assistive listening devices and communication technologies
- Programs that develop communication, social, and emotional skills
Every second Friday, students participate in either a unit-based day or a community access day:
- Unit-based days provide extra support with homework and assessment tasks while encouraging relaxation, leisure activities, and social skill development.
- Community access days focus on travel training, day planning, money handling (cash and card use), communicating with unfamiliar adults in shops and food outlets, and building confidence and independence.
Our instructional philosophy is student-centred. We do not favour one mode of communication over another; instead, we focus on whatever works best for each individual student.
Individual Education Plans (IEP)
Each student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) designed to help them:
- Enhance listening, speech, literacy, and communication skills
- Build friendships and collaborate effectively with peers
- Develop independence and confidence in learning and social settings
- Manage emotions and behaviour in a supportive environment
Our lessons, support, and learning plans include regular progress reviews, clear communication with families, and ongoing monitoring of each student’s strengths and areas for growth. These plans promote greater engagement, support improved educational outcomes, and assist smooth transitions through school and into future pathways.
This comprehensive approach ensures that every student in the Hearing Support Unit is supported academically, socially, and emotionally within an inclusive and nurturing environment.
How students access our support unit
Placement in our support unit follows an access request process. This helps us understand each student’s needs and plan the right support. The process usually includes:
- Meeting with our learning support team to talk about your child’s needs
- Providing documents or assessments
- Review and recommendation by a specialist panel
- Creating an individual education plan (IEP) for your child
You can contact our school anytime to ask about our support options and how the process works.
How we work with families and specialists
We work closely with families and specialists to support every student. Our teachers stay in touch with parents and carers to share progress and plan next steps.
We also work with therapists, counsellors and health professionals so students get the same support across school and home.
Learn more about additional learning support at our school.
Want to know more our Hearing Unit?
We welcome inquiries and encourage visits, which can be arranged with prior notice.