Dorchester ETU Education and Training Unit
Dorchester School is a Department of Education and Training, Community Care School. Dorchester is located within the grounds of Reiby Youth Justice Centre and only draws on the student body from within Reiby.
Reiby Youth Justice Centre is primarily a committal centre for juveniles aged between ten and twenty years old. The school teaching programs are generally delivered to whole classes with a specific focus on individual education and training plans. Students may also access programs provided by Youth Justice and Distance Education.
The school aims to provide a stable caring environment where educational, behavioural and self esteem programs can be implemented to enhance the student's successful reintegration into their local community when they are discharged from Reiby YJC.
History of Dorchester
Dorchester opened in 1973. Dorchester Education and Training Unit provides educational services to students located in Campbelltown area.
School Vision
Dorchester Education and Training Unit provides outstanding personalised learning and support plans and programs for its students in living skills, remedial, general, accredited and vocational education which enable them to successfully transition to society and function as responsible citizens.
School Mission
To provide educational, social and vocational programs for students enhancing their ability to function independently in society. The school aims to develop expectations towards students becoming respectful, responsible and safe learners.
School Aims
The staff are committed to:
- creating an environment that is supportive, positive, happy, safe and non-threatening
- providing skills based programs to enhance students' academic, personal, social and vocational skills and facilitate their community reintegration.
- identifying and acknowledging effort and achievement.
- working with our school community to provide a quality service to students.
- encouraging students to be respectful, responsible and safe learners.
- supporting students in making a successful transition to the wider community e.g. mainstream schooling.
School Overview
Dorchester Education and Training Unit is situated within the Campbelltown School Education Area. The school provides a broad range of educational programs for young offenders. Dorchester has a maximum capacity of 55 students.
School and centre staff work collaboratively to provide programs which maximise opportunities for successful community reintegration.
Four distinct educational programs operate within Dorchester Education and Training Unit.
- The Warby Unit caters to male young offenders between the ages of 10 and 14 and has middle schooling structure with the specific focus as social skilling.
- The Whitten and Slattery Units: these Units cater for female students between the ages of 10 and up to the age of 21. Achieving credentialed outcomes is the aim of each student's personalised learning and education plan within the Whitten program. Vocational education, RoSA Certificate and the development of effective pathways to further education and training are focus areas.
- The Waratah Unit caters for up to ten students in the final stages of transition. They are housed outside the school and successful transition to community based living is each student's aim.
Dorchester School strives to provide each student with a quality and comprehensive educational program which ensures appropriate educational and social outcomes and which increases the student's potential for future success.
The school and its community value public education and the ways in which it is responsive to the individual needs of learners at Dorchester School. Staff deliver the highest quality of education and ensure the school is characterised by professionalism, integrity and ethical decision making.