Yalingbu Yirramboi – Royal Children’s Hospital School has officially opened to patients.
The new school now gives children with chronic health issues the opportunity to go to school and stay up to date with their learning.
The new establishment will provide hospital patients with a full education with classes ranging from prep to year 12.
Students will receive individualised teaching and learning programs aligned with the Victorian Curriculum via a range of teaching modes such as classroom sessions, small group sessions and individual bedside support, depending on individual patient needs.
Acting Health Minster Ingrid Stitt explained how this school being established is also a huge help to the parents of the children.
“No child should miss out on the education they need if they’re unwell – we’re giving Victorian children access to a world-class education, easing the burden on parents to keep their child on track while they are unwell or recovering,” she said.
The school will also provide remote learning for students who are recovering at home but are not well enough to attend school.
When a child is well enough it will support students to transition back to their original school once they leave hospital.
The school was made possible through a $3.6 million investment from the state government.
Education Minister Ben Carroll spoke to the positives the school will bring students.
“The opening of the Yalingbu Yirramboi – a new school at the Royal Children’s Hospital will ensure that young patients don’t miss out on the good quality education they deserve,” he said.
It will be governed by a School Council and led by principal Naomi McBride and the new school will initially employ 22 registered teachers and 6 education support class staff.
The implementation of a registered school at the Royal Children’s Hospital will create a more consistent approach to education in Victorian hospital schools as it will align itself with already established hospital-based education systems such as the Monash Children’s Hospital School.
Traditional owners of the land were consulted about the permanent name of the school.
With Yalingbu Yirramboi meaning ‘Today and Tomorrow’ in the local languages of the Boon Wurrung and Woi Wurrung peoples.
