Sandybeach Centre has a strong commitment to community members with a disability who wish to access courses. The Disability Program offers a range of courses for independent people with intellectual disabilities, including those who may have associated physical disabilities. The Centre offers a unique service with support, as required, to individuals in this particular group and a pre-enrolment interview is required. Class numbers are limited to ensure student needs are met.
Sandybeach Centre’s staff work with students and/or their advocates on developing a personal plan or working on an existing personal plan. A key component of the program is that this plan is developed and individual students are supported in their integration to the life of the Centre and to the broader community. Depending on the integration support needed by individual students, an additional fee may be charged.
Our courses cover aspects of social, living, leisure and vocational skills. The content of all the courses is changed each semester and involves different project activities with other organisations.
Sandybeach Centre also accepts students who have been assessed by the Department of Human Services for support through the Futures for Young Adults Program or Individual Support Packages.
For all enquiries, and to make an appointment for a pre-enrolment interview, please contact Leanne Fink, the Disability Co-ordinator on 9598 2155, or email us.
Term 1: Monday 27 January – Friday 26 March
Term 2: Monday 12 April - 25 June
(No classes during school holidays)
Horticulture – Water, Weeds & Wonderful Wallflowers (Angela Partridge)
Students have fun exploring the gardener’s world including information on being “water wise”. The Centre has its own community garden which is developed and maintained by the students. The group also has landscaped, planted and maintains a local garden. Produce we grow is available for sale. We visit local gardens and welcome new students and volunteers. Wheelchair friendly.
Literacy and Language – Discovering My World (Susan Pinskier)
Students explore their world, the local community and new areas. The course is suitable for the reader and the beginner. Interesting activities include a team project preparing the student newsletter, exploring communication through computers, the local paper, magazines, television, the library and local services. Discuss things that interest you – travel, sporting events and your favourite TV programs. Visit local centres and discover the resources that are available to you.
Cooking (Heather Armstrong)
The aim of this course is to help participants become independent, practical everyday cooks. Learn to prepare simple, nutritious and delicious meals in a fun and relaxed environment. In these hands-on classes, participants prepare a meal and enjoy the experience together. Often students will practice these skills with their friends at home. All aspects of cooking are covered including food handling and safety. Literacy skills are included.
Art Action (Virginia Mort)
Explore and express your creative self. Students enjoy learning to use a variety of materials and different techniques in an artistic studio setting. Areas covered include clay work, mosaics, mask making, collage, drawing using different media, painting, papier-mâché and sculpture as well as simple jewellery making. Students will participate in local projects and exhibitions. ACFE funded.
Fabulous Food Experiences – Cooking Confidence (Heather Armstrong)
Would you like to learn basic cooking or extend your existing knowledge? This class includes menu planning, supermarket shopping and the preparation of exciting simple dishes that you can make at home. Each session involves some social time enjoying a food-tasting lunch with the group. Other course aspects include hygiene and safety, table settings, and storing and presenting food. Highlights include a visit to a restaurant and café and once a month students invite guests to share their recipes and showcase their hospitality skills. Join in the fun, extend your skills and confidence in a supported environment.
Managing Your Fitness and Health (Susan Pinskier)
Have a good time, be part of a group while improving your health and fitness, no matter what your fitness level or situation.
Learn about:
• Improving your health and fitness
• Maintaining a healthy balanced lifestyle
• Eating nutritious healthy meals
• Enjoying regular exercise
• Your local community
Join in a range of fun, interesting exercises to improve your muscle tone, flexibility, coordination and aerobic capacity. Enjoy going out in the community, bowling, playing tennis, footy and many other fun activities.
Money Management and Everyday Maths (Harold Wood)
Would you like to be able to improve your life skills? The main focus of this course is to assist with the many skills required to better manage numeracy and aspects of general life skills. This is an ongoing ‘hands on’ course and includes ‘real life’ situations with plenty of time for students to practice and review the many areas the course includes. Structured to the individual, the sessions assist students to build confidence in a relaxed, supportive environment. Some areas covered this semester are time management, prices in a supermarket, bills and budgeting, calendars, weights and measurements, food and menus, money management and lots more! Students are encouraged to discuss their personal development needs.
Well-being and Personal Development (Harold Wood)
This course covers how you can look and feel your best and how you can develop your social skills by achieving a healthy lifestyle and a positive outlook. Our class provides a friendly and caring environment and uses lots of practical examples. The topics covered will include self-esteem, mutual respect, health and hygiene, nutrition, clothing and personal appearance, consumer rights, social situations and etiquette.
Living in the Community – Making a Difference (Emma Raverty)
The main focus of the course is to assist the group to get more involved in their community and explore the many options that are available to them. Each semester the group focuses on new areas of discovery. This semester the group will explore world issues and learn about other countries including exploring the world through technology and the internet. Students will research different charities, plan fundraising activities and visit a fundraising organisation. Other activities planned include discussing the barriers that may prevent us from accessing the community and what we can do to change this. And of course, we will have fun going out and about in our local community.
Music, Movement and Drama – Creative Expression (Dei Willersdorf-Greene)
This popular course covers a range of exciting activities including drama, dance and movement. Our tutor Tim and our volunteer Dei are trained and experienced in creative expression and a range of different techniques to assist all students to develop their confidence and creative talents. Morey Hall at Sandybeach provides an ideal setting, with space to dance, produce and act in creative productions, enjoy musical instruments and have fun within the group. Beginners are welcome and new activities are included regularly to further develop the skills of the existing group. This session provides an opportunity to develop team skills, to further develop your confidence and interpersonal skills, to meet new people and have fun. Students don’t need to be outgoing. Just come along and join in!
Holiday Programs
A ‘student driven’ project will operate this semester, involving a student committee at Sandybeach Centre which will investigate and identify areas of interest for holiday course offerings for students. Please contact Leanne Fink – Disability Co-ordinator, to discuss your interest and suggestions.
Garden Open Day – October
Students in the Horticultural course will open their garden area to showcase their herb display garden and their course work.
Art Exhibition – December
Sandybeach Centre and the Disability Program will celebrate International Disability Day by participating in an art exhibition.
Partnerships with Sandybeach Centre
Each year the Disability Program is involved in a number of exciting projects that are developed to work in conjunction with the courses that are listed. These projects further expand the opportunities and networks for students, both within Sandybeach Centre and the wider community. The projects involve recreational, social, further learning and vocational opportunities and pathways. Organisations currently partnering with Sandybeach Centre’s Disability Programs include:
• Department of Human Services
• Bayside City Council
• JCAAA – Joint Councils Access for All Abilities
• Camcare – Community Welfare Organisation