Welcome to our Ringwood Campus
Our deaf and hard of hearing students enrol into St Mary’s College and attend our campus based in Aquinas College Ringwood, where they immerse and thrive in all aspects of school life. Our Ringwood Campus offers an integrated secondary education for deaf and hard of hearing students from Years 7 to 12. Ringwood campus students are members of the Aquinas College community, wearing the Aquinas College uniform and included in all classes and extracurricular activities.
- Mini Saundry (Head of Campus)
Ringwood Campus at Aquinas College
Environment
Our Ringwood campus is situated within Aquinas College, a dynamic and innovative learning community where all students experience a sense of belonging and are encouraged to see themselves as part of a global community.
Aquinas College sits within a green belt on 30 acres of land with native vegetation and sports areas surrounding it. 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. An extensive Master Plan is underway, providing rejuvenated landscapes and new facilities including a dedicated Performing Arts building, new gymnasium and technology precinct. A wide variety of public and private transport options exist and families living more than 4.8km from the Ringwood campus can to access conveyance allowance.
Learning overview
Grounded in the Science of Learning and MACS Vision for Instruction, each student's Aquinas subject teacher and St Mary's Teacher of the Deaf, deliver a knowledge-rich, evidence-based curriculum that supports all students in achieving across subjects and in particular, literacy and numeracy proficiency. Co-curricular stimulating and diverse offerings, help students to discover their strengths and passions, build self determination, higher order thinking skills 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 Aquinas classes to a more personalised program that divides the day between Aquinas 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 including 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.
Aquinas College has a vertical pastoral 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 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 deaf and hard of hearing 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 Aquinas College community, our students can participate in:
- Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne (EISM) sports competitions
- Numerous choirs, bands, musicals, ensembles, productions, Artsfest
- Camps and retreats
- Pubic speaking & debating competition
- Social Justice events & activities
- International tours including Borneo, New Caledonia & Central Australia
- 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!
