Inclusive Education Unit

At Berala Public School, we are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment where every student is supported to reach their full potential. In 2024, we proudly established our Inclusive Education Unit, opening with three classes designed to meet the diverse learning and support needs of our students. In 2026, we look forward to welcoming our fourth class as our inclusive learning community continues to grow.

Our purpose-built Inclusive Unit classes provide specialist and intensive support for eligible students with additional learning and support needs. Each class offers a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally as valued members of the Berala Public School community.

What are support classes?
Support classes provide specialist and intensive support for students with a diagnosed intellectual or physical disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, mental health condition, sensory processing disorder or behaviour disorder. These classes are available in select NSW public schools, including some mainstream schools like ours.

Class Sizes
Class sizes in support classes are usually smaller than in mainstream classes because of the students’ higher needs. Class sizes will depend on the class type and, in some cases, the students' additional learning and support needs.

Teaching Staff
Every support class has a teacher and a school learning support officer (SLSO), and every student will have planning undertaken for their personalised learning and support that captures their needs and goals. The class teachers are responsible for planning personalised learning and support for each student, in consultation with parents and carers and allied health professionals where it is appropriate.

Staff

Teal - Tamara Curtis (AP)

Teal - Tiana Santalucia (SLSO)

Sapphire - Sana Zeidan (Mon-Thurs)

Sapphire - Gulsum Demiryurek (Fri)

Sapphire - Rita Mohammad (SLSO)

Gold - Ghinwa Malas

Gold - Lis Outland (SLSO)

Opportunities

Students in support classes at Berala Public School are part of our whole-school community. They will have access to:

• school-wide events such as assemblies, excursions, incursions and sport
• their mainstream peers for selected learning activities where appropriate
• their NDIS providers (if applicable)
• transport assistance under the Assisted School Travel Program, if they are eligible.
• Inclusive School Sport programs including Come & Try Athletics, Boccia competition and Tenpin Bowling
• Music therapy

How can my child be placed in a support class?
While you can’t enrol your child directly into a support class, we can help you with this process if you are in our local zone. The first step is to speak to us. The school will work with you to determine if your child is eligible and if this type of support will meet their needs.

This option is available when:

• Your child has significant support needs and meets the department's disability criteria.
• This type of specialist support will meet their educational needs.
• An application is completed in collaboration with you. This is usually arranged by the learning and support team at the school your child is enrolled in.

A local support class panel considers the application and decides an outcome. This application is called an ‘access request’. More Access Requests.

Have a question for our principal or teachers?

Our friendly office team can help you get in touch.

Contact us