The Joshua Centre | Flinders Christian Community College

Our Joshua Centre opened in 2022 at our Flinders Tyabb Campus. It is a special-purpose educational facility designed to support students with autism. Our Centre provides a differentiated learning program and environment focusing on meeting each student’s individual learning needs. This is achieved through structured programs and supportive environments that are responsive to their sensory needs and routines allowing students to thrive in their learning, develop social skills and connection, support their well-being in order to live a full and purposeful life. Our Centre caters for students with a formal diagnosis of autism whose learning needs are not being met in mainstream school setting.

We provide a structured and modified learning environment allowing students to work independently on learning tasks without 1:1 aide support. As part of our program, educational adjustments will be put in place to meet the student’s needs with ongoing monitoring to determine whether the Centre learning program and environment are able to support the student’s level of needs.

The Joshua Centre recognises that students and families use different language to describe autism and respects individual preferences. As a Centre, we use autistic-affirming, identity-first language, reflecting contemporary understanding and the perspectives of many Autistic people, while always honouring the language choices of our community.

Enrolments at the Joshua Centre commenced in 2022, and we are adding additional Grades & Year levels as follows:

  • 2026: Prep to Year 9
  • 2027: Prep to Year 10
  • 2028 and beyond: Prep to Year 10

New Joshua Centre Building

The new Joshua Centre was completed in 2024, much to the delight of our staff, students and families! We celebrated this incredible milestone at our Centre dedication ceremony in the beginning of May 2024. Both the former and new Joshua Centre Buildings are situated in a single precinct at our Tyabb Campus, as shown in the virtual tour below.

What does education look like at the Joshua Centre?

  • Our Centre provides a Christ-centred education for students with a formal diagnosis of autism.
  • With small class sizes, Centre provides students with an individualised and differentiated learning program.
  • Each class will have a full-time Educational Support staff member who will work with teachers to provide for the academic, social, emotional, and functional life skills of each student.
  • Joshua Centre is located on the Tyabb Campus of Flinders Christian Community College.
  • Our staff work collaboratively with Allied Health Professionals ensuring supports are targeted to student needs. Families can also arrange to have privately funded Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and other approved practitioners to work onsite with their child.
  • The learning, play spaces and uniform have been designed to provide students with a sensory environment that maximises students’ comfort when at school.

    Enrol at The Joshua Centre

    The Joshua Centre (centre) supports students who have a formally diagnosis of autism whose learning, support, and participation needs align with the specialist program and environment outlined below:

    • Students attending the Centre must have a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, provided by a qualified paediatrician or psychiatrist and referenced against the DSM‑5.
    • The Centre learning model is structured around small class sizes and shared classroom support rather than ongoing one-to-one aide provision.
    • The Centre is best suited to students who demonstrate safe behaviour towards themselves and others within a school environment.
    • Students in the Centre are able to participate in small group learning and shared activities with necessary structure, support and reasonable adjustments.

    Online applications for enrolment at the Joshua Centre are now open:

    Apply now

    Expression of Interest

    If you would like to know more about the Joshua Centre, you are welcome to submit an Expression of Interest below:

    Trampolines at the Joshua Centre – Benefits for Autistic Children

    We have added two Vuly trampolines to the Joshua Centre playground. Vuly trampolines have been selected for their safety features, quality and therapeutic benefits, particularly in promoting sensory integration and physical activity among autistic children. Rebounding, or jumping on a trampoline, has been shown to offer a range of benefits for children on the autism spectrum, including:

    • Sensory Stimulation - rebounding provides proprioceptive and vestibular input, aiding sensory integration and self-regulation.
    • Physical Exercise - jumping on a trampoline promotes physical activity, cardiovascular health, and muscle development.
    • Emotional Regulation - the rhythmic motion of bouncing can help reduce anxiety, stress, and promote relaxation.
    • Social Interaction - group trampoline activities encourage social engagement, communication, and cooperation among students.
    • Motor Skills - rebounding can improve coordination, balance, and motor planning skills.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the process for enrolling a student into the Joshua Centre?

    Please complete our online enrolment application. Applicants are to supply all requested supporting documentation online. Once we have received your online enrolment application with all relevant supporting documentation, it will be reviewed. If a position in the Joshua Centre becomes available and College has assessed your child will benefit from our program, an initial meet and greet will be arranged to share more information about our program and the enrolment process.

    Student interviews will commence in Term 2 and continue in Term 3. Students will be offered a place based on interviews, in-class observations at the student’s current school and/or in our Centre, and places being available in the selected grade. Enrolment offers will be sent out from the end of Term 2 (and continue in Term 3) for the following year.

    Is there a minimum or maximum level of diagnosis required before applying to the Joshua Centre?

    The Joshua Centre caters for students who are formally diagnosed with autism. Students will be provided with a differentiated learning program and environment focusing on meeting their individual learning needs through structured programs and supportive environments. However, students will be expected to have a level of independence i.e, being able to work independently on learning tasks without 1:1 aide support.

    While the Centre acknowledges that each student brings unique and individual skills and talents, at times, students may exhibit challenging behaviours. The College takes its duty of care seriously and is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all students and staff. Therefore students are expected to conduct themselves in the company of other students and adults, that does not occasion harm or an unacceptable risk to themselves or others.

    Is a differentiated curriculum taught?

    The Joshua Centre teaches the Victorian Curriculum in line with teaching practice at all Campuses. Adjustments to the curriculum will be determined based on the students needs and documented Individual Learning Plans. Parents will be consulted when adjustments to curriculum have been determined.

    Will NDIS supported therapy be allowed onsite during school hours?

    A central part of our Philosophy is strong collaboration between the Joshua Centre, families and therapists. To support this, NDIS and privately funded therapy will be accommodated and encouraged during school hours. Facilitating these services not only support students, but also the families who otherwise may have to seek therapy outside of school hours.

    What suitability criteria are students required to meet to enable them to enrol in the centre?

    Enrolment will be determined by a variety of information. This may include but is not limited to, Professional assessments, proof of diagnosis via a professional report(s), visit(s) to the student's current school, interview(s) with the family and the student and consultation with professionals to help ascertain the level of support the student will require.

    Are the school hours at the Joshua Centre the same as the main school?

    Students at the Joshua Centre have a slightly different start and finish time compared to our mainstream school. Students at the Centre start at 9:00am and finish at 2:30pm.

    What are the fees for the Joshua Centre?

    It is the same as our regular school fees. 

    If you would like more information, please contact our Enrolments team on 5973 2000 or via email, enrolments@flinders.vic.edu.au