We acknowledge that the City of Greater Bendigo is on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country and extend appreciation for the Dja Dja Wurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land we are working on. We pay our respects to all First Nations people, past, present, and future, including those who identify as neuro-divergent.
We express our gratitude in the sharing this land, our sorrow for the personal, spiritual, and cultural costs of that sharing, and our hope that we may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirit of healing.
Our Dream:
Amegilla College
Where Neurodiversity Thrives
At Amegilla College, we intend to offer a unique educational experience tailored to the needs of Neurodivergent students. Our school will be designed to celebrate and support the diverse ways in which our students think, learn, and interact with the world.
Neurodivergent Community Hub
Connection with Community
We aim to provide a safe place for the ND community to come together for social, educational, and personal development activities,
Help us build our dream!
You can donate to our GofundMe fundraising campaign by clicking the GoFundMe button:
Longlea Lane
We have taken over management of the old Longlea Lane Primary school.
Situated 13.7 km from Bendigo central business district. We are nestled on 2.5 acres of land with a neighbouring recreational reserve consisting of a tennis court and cricket oval and a conservational reserve.
Having the use of this property gives us a great opportunity to develop the ND Community Hub and Amegilla College.
More about our School:
Our Vision statement:
To provide a specialised learning environment for Autistic and Neurodivergent children.
Our Mission statement
To prepare young Autistic and Neurodivergent people for life through interactive, inclusive learning that addresses the needs of the whole person, in a safe, caring, and respectful environment.
About us:
We are a group of parents and professionals who aim to develop a school that provides mainstream Neurodivergent students with a safe, supportive environment to enable individuals to flourish.
Holistic Development:
At Amegilla College, we are committed to fostering the holistic development of our students. Beyond providing a rigorous academic curriculum, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for personal growth, fostering creative expression, and cultivating social skill development, whilst developing authenticity. Our ultimate objective is to equip students with the necessary tools for success across all facets of their lives.
Inspired by the educational philosophies of Dr. Ross Green, Maggie Dent, and Lael Stone, we have formulated a learning approach that aligns with their principles. Central to our ethos is an emphasis on Emotional Literacy and an acknowledgment of the fluid skill capabilities of Neurodivergent (ND) Students. Embracing "Kids do well when they can" approach, we strive to create an environment that supports the unique needs of each student and recognises their strengths.
By integrating these principles into our educational framework, we aim to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment that empowers students to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially. Through this approach, we endeavour to prepare our students not only for academic success but also to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and resilience.
Why Amegilla?
We selected the name Amegilla to symbolise our connection with and reverence for the environment—a core value of our school. Amegilla is the Scientific name for the genus classification of Blue-Banded bees, which are native to Australia. We believed that a Blue-Banded bee would be an apt choice, as blue is the preferred colour for many in the autistic community. Additionally, blue has a shorter wavelength than other colours, making it a naturally calming hue.
Our Plan:
At Amegilla College, we are committed to realising our dream of establishing a school specifically designed to foster an optimal learning environment for Neurodivergent students and taff. Our vision is to address the challenges faced by Neurodivergent individuals within the mainstream educational system by providing tailored education and support.
To bring this dream to life, our strategy involves raising funds to secure a suitable property for the school, where we can establish a specialised learning environment for students in years 5 to 10. Beginning with one or two classes, we aim to expand gradually, leveraging our resources and staff expertise while embracing a culture of continual improvement.
We intend to operate as an independent school, with a focus on maintaining manageable annual fees to ensure accessibility, while also facilitating small class sizes to optimise individual attention and support. Moreover, we are dedicated to promoting inclusivity by offering scholarships to students encountering financial hardship, thus ensuring that our school remains open to all who can benefit from its specialised programs.
Long term, our goal is to establish a purposefully designed school catering to Neurodivergent student needs, along with a community hub for the ND community in Bendigo and its surrounding areas.
Curriculum
Our curriculum will be based on the Australian Curriculum Framework. Our core philosophy that will guide the ongoing curriculum development will be a collaborative and proactive problem-solving approach, working in partnership with students, teachers, parents, and professionals in the field of Neurodivergent development.
Our program places a strong emphasis on emotional awareness and self-regulation while being strength-based, allowing us to celebrate Neurodivergent traits, and to further develop skills and understanding.
Stories
Stories from ND students:
Stories still to come
Meet the team
Members of Amegilla College Board
Cindy Maddern
Treasurer
Casey Williams
Secretary
Lucy Sherwood
Media Manager
Dr Naomi Malone
Vice President
Wendy O’Flynn
President
Contact Us
Email us if you have any queries or suggestions about the Amegilla College project. We would love to hear from you! One of our team will get back to you as soon as we can.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to the wonderful people who have believed and supported this project!
Subin Mathews has provided understanding, wisdom, and guidance without which the project would never have begun.
Fabulous friends and family who have believed in this project.
Cindy Maddern who works tirelessly!
All the B.R.A.T.S team who add their valuable input.
The wonderful passionate people who have joined the Amegilla Board to make this dream a reality!
Fiona McKenzie from Small School Services has given her time, experience, and advice in the process of starting a school.
www.smallschoolbusinessservices.com.au
Lael Stone for providing inspiration and her valuable experience in setting up a Woodline Primary school.
https://laelstone.com.au/
Ronwyn Collier Principal of Sycamore School QLD gave her wisdom and experience in the functioning of school for autistic students.