Inclusion News

Strengthening Inclusion at Cranbourne South Primary School

At Cranbourne South Primary School, inclusion is central to our practise. I’m proud to share how we are continuing to strengthen our practice to ensure every child feels safe, supported and ready to learn.

As we wrapped up 2025, our Inclusion Team actively reviewed and refined how we support students in the Disability Inclusion space. We visited a number of schools to see best practice in action, explored their processes, and reviewed a wide range of documentation and support models. These visits gave us valuable insight into what works well, what creates clarity for families, and how we can continue to improve our own systems at Cranbourne South.

This work has helped us sharpen our focus on:

• Early identification and proactive support
• Clear and consistent processes
• Building staff capacity so inclusive practice is embedded in every classroom
• Strong partnerships with families

Introducing Our 2026 Student Wellbeing Lounge

We are incredibly excited to introduce our new Student Wellbeing Lounge, which opened at the start of 2026. It is located next to the student kitchen and art room.

This purpose-designed space has been created to support students who may benefit from a calm and supported start to their day. For some children, mornings can feel overwhelming. The Wellbeing Lounge provides a gentle “soft landing” — a quiet, welcoming environment where students can regulate, connect with a trusted adult, and transition smoothly into learning.

Our team will monitor attendance through Compass each morning. This allows us to:

• Provide structured and predictable support
• Maintain accurate documentation

• Communicate clearly with the front office

   

The Wellbeing Lounge will also host small group wellbeing programs, including our LEGO Therapy Club, creating a structured environment that supports social and emotional growth while building readiness for learning.

In addition, our Chillout Zone in the library will continue to operate as a sensory play space, supervised by Education Support staff, providing students with opportunities for regulation and sensory breaks throughout the day.

If you feel your child may benefit from these supports, please feel free to reach out.

Outdoor Oasis – Structured Play

Another exciting initiative supporting inclusion is our Outdoor Oasis, which began last year.

The Outdoor Oasis is a structured and closely supervised play club designed to support students during break times. While the playground can be a wonderful place, it can also feel busy or overwhelming for some children. The Outdoor Oasis offers an alternative — a welcoming space where students can choose to participate in organised activities within a calm and supported setting.

Students are welcome to join and leave as they need, promoting independence while still having access to adult guidance.

Each session includes a range of structured activities designed to encourage:

• Cooperative group play
• Turn-taking and teamwork
• Social confidence
• Creative and imaginative play

• Positive peer interactions

   

With activities thoughtfully set up and staff actively facilitating interactions, students are supported to practise social skills in real-time, build friendships and experience success in a safe environment.

LEGO Therapy Club

We are also proud to continue running our LEGO-Based Therapy Club, a small group program that runs weekly over 7–9 weeks.

This program is much more than building with bricks. Through structured roles within a team, students practise communication, turn-taking, listening, collaboration and problem-solving. Guided by trained staff, sessions help students learn how to:

• Share ideas respectfully
• Manage frustration
• Work cooperatively

• Celebrate shared achievements

   

Because the sessions are structured and predictable, students feel safe to take social risks and build confidence. The skills they develop extend beyond the sessions — into the classroom and playground.

Most importantly, it’s engaging, creative and fun.

Our Inclusion Team

Supporting our students is a whole-team effort. Our Inclusion Team includes:

• Karen Halket – Assistant Principal, Wellbeing
• Joe Meade – Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist
• Nichola Allen – Inclusion Leader

• Sharon Cattanach – Inclusion Support 

   

Together, we work alongside teachers, Education Support staff and families to ensure adjustments are purposeful, evidence-based and responsive to student need.

If you would like to know more about Disability Inclusion, or our Inclusion work more broadly, please feel free to reach out.

Joe Meade

Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist