A message from our Principal

Aspect Hunter School’s main campus is at Thornton, NSW. Our 7 satellite classes are specialised autism-specific classes located within mainstream Department of Education and Catholic schools and are located across Newcastle, the Hunter region and Port Macquarie. Aspect Hunter School also offers a Distance Education program.

Our school’s cater for students from Kindergarten through to Year 12 and deliver a mainstream school curriculum with embedded deliverable goals relating to each child’s individual learning areas.

We work with a student’s special interest areas to be able to motivate them to achieve their personal best.

Aspect regards transition as a necessary part of every student’s educational journey. The primary focus of the school is to act as a transitional setting that builds on student’s skills and independence enabling them to transition to less specialised settings with comprehensive and personalised support. Approximately twenty percent of our students successfully transition each year.

Information Sessions

The school holds information sessions each term for parents/carers and service providers to give details of the range of services provided by Aspect in the Hunter region. These services include; therapy, early support, school-based programs, educational outreach and training and support across home and community.

Our Campuses & Satellite Classes

Distance Education Program

Aspect Hunter School Distance Education enables students to learn from home by connecting them with teachers via a range of digital learning tools. The program is available for students on the autism spectrum in Years 3 to 10 and living in New South Wales.

Students participate in at least 15 days of face to face learning at the Aspect Hunter School in Thornton, NSW each year.

“The smaller group setting, individualised program and personal attention the kids get from not just the teachers but other students is quite unique. It has really changed the path my kids were on.”
- Leisa, parent

Learn about the Hunter School

Curriculum

Aspect Hunter is registered and accredited by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority. The NSW curriculum is followed. Students are involved in a range of compulsory subjects complemented by electives through their junior and senior schooling. Each student will have an individualised program with relevant adjustments made to ensure positive learning opportunities. We utilise community based activities to assist students to generalise their learning experiences and the impact of their autism.

Technology

Our school uses technology in a range of ways to complement classroom learning. As with all components of our program this is individualised to the needs of students. We monitor very closely its use to ensure it is not the only means of delivering a program.

Positive Behaviour Support

The Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approach is used to support our students to regulate their behaviour. PBS understands that challenging behaviour occurs for a reason, and is communicating important information about what the individual needs, wants and how to support them. It is likely that the demands of the student's situation exceed their ability to cope positively. We focus on students’ strengths and special interests to motivate learning and celebrate the diversity and talents of our students.

Enrolment Information Sessions

Enrolment Information Sessions are held regularly throughout the year. The Information Session is for families who want to know more about our education program and the enrolment process. For the schedule of information sessions, please contact the school on

Tel: 02 4922 5900 hunter@autismspectrum.org.au