Welcome to our Sunbury Campus
Our deaf and hard of hearing students enrol into St Mary’s College and attend our campus based in Salesian College Sunbury, where they immerse and thrive in all aspects of school life. Our Sunbury Campus offers an integrated secondary education for deaf and hard of hearing students from Years 7 to 12. Sunbury campus students are members of the Salesian College Sunbury community, wearing the Salesian College uniform and included in all classes and extracurricular activities.
- Sonal Vashisht (Head of Campus)
Sunbury Campus at Salesian College Sunbury
Environment
Our Sunbury campus is situated within Salesian College Sunbury, an innovative and caring community of learners committed to making students strive in life, providing a safe and inclusive atmosphere to learn, play and celebrate with joy and optimism.
Salesian College Sunbury is home to a vibrant mix of modern learning spaces and hands-on environments that inspire curiosity and creativity. From the Ciantar Learning Commons and STEAM Centre to the Agriculture Show Arena and working farm, Food Technology kitchens, and Wood Technology workshops, students have access to facilities that support every area of their learning and growth. Extensive technology to maximise access for deaf and hard of hearing students is utilised throughout the College with digital Soundfield speakers, transmitters and wall pilots in most spaces and live captioning available for students to access on request. A wide variety of public and private transport options exist and families living more than 4.8km from the Sunbury campus can access conveyance allowance.
Learning overview
Grounded in the Science of Learning and MACS Vision for Instruction, each student's St Mary's Teacher of the Deaf, along with expert instruction from Salesian College subject teachers, deliver a knowledge-rich, evidence-based curriculum that supports all students in achieving across subjects and in particular, literacy and numeracy proficiency. The Salesian College exciting new approach to secondary education, “My Salesian Passport” provides an innovative vertical curriculum structure that offers students a personalised learning experience helping them discover their strengths and passions, build self determination and confidence. Parents are valued partners in their child's learning journey and contribute to learning decisions which allow for an individual approach from full participation and immersion in Salesian classes to a more personalised program that divides the day between Salesian classes and targeted teaching from a Teacher of the Deaf.
Our highly successful literacy program, monitors, strengthens and extends reading and writing skill throughout each student's secondary education, allowing every student to both learn and communicate their knowledge and thoughts effectively.
Additional to the Victorian Curriculum, students can choose to include in their weekly program of subjects, Extended Literacy, Extended Numeracy or Capabilities, which covers essential skills and knowledge such as communication, Deaf identity, Careers Education and social skills. These additional curriculum areas are designed using research on how deaf and hard of hearing students learn best and develop confidence.
Salesian College Sunbury has a vertical House system that strengthens community and belonging. Additionally, St Mary's frequently runs lunchtime activities including Auslan classes and student campus leader led activities with guest speakers including past students and Deaf mentors sharing their experiences and providing advice on various topics.
Wellbeing programs and services within the combined community provide spaces and activities where students can feel safe, accepted and belong.
Courses and activities
As part of the broader St Mary’s College community, our students participate in:
- Secondary School’s Deaf Sports Day
- St Mary’s College assemblies
- St Dominic’s Day celebrations
As members of the Salesian College community, our students can participate in:
- SACCSS (Sports Association of Catholic Co-Educational Secondary Schools) competitions
- Study tours to Japan and Italy
- Numerous choirs, bands, musicals, ensembles, Productions
- Camps and retreats
- Public speaking & debating competition
- Social Justice events & activities
- Rupertswood Harvest Festival
- and so much more...
Transition programs for new students into year 7 commence the year prior to starting and continue into Term one of their first year. Program Support Group (PSG/SSG) meetings are held with parents/guardians and others including primary school teachers, Teachers of the Deaf or other specialists such as Speech Pathologists to gain a holistic understanding of the learning and social needs of every student. Our Head of Campus arranges a visit to each student’s primary school to see how they learn and engage with teachers and other children in order to create a smooth transition.
It’s a great place to be. But don’t just take our word for it – listen to what other St Mary’s College students have to say and book a tour now!
