The Yaralla Program at Rivendell School provides a supportive and structured educational environment for students in Year 7 to 12 who are admitted as patients through the Rivendell Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Service (NSW Department of Health). The program typlically supports young people experiencing a psychotic illness and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder. As part of a collaborative and multidisciplinary model, Rivendell's clinical team works closely with the school to guide both assessment and treatment throughout the student's admission. Before enrolment, each student and their family attend a planning meeting with Rivendell staff to establish clear goals for the admission, and discuss appropriate school pathways. Regular family meetings continue throughout the admission to review progress and refine educational and wellbeing goals.
All students have a personalised learning and support plan tailored to their individual needs. Rivendell School provides access to quality academic work that is aligned with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) curriculum and may involve units from a students home school, Rivendell School's learning centre, or Sydney Distance Education High School. At the end of the admission, students participate in an integration process designed to support a smooth transition into the most suitable educational or post school setting following their time at Rivendell.
The Yaralla Program offers a trauma-informed approach to teaching and learning, underpinned by frameworks which consider the educational and wellbeing needs of the individual student. These evidence-based approaches help reduce cognitive load, build self-regulation, and support re-engagement with learning to ultimatley prepare each student for their next steps.
With small class sizes and a dedicated team of specialist teachers, student learning support officers, and allied health professionals, the Yaralla Program fosters a nurturing and inclusive learning culture. It empowers students to build confidence, achieve personal goals, and successfully transition beyond the Rivendell environment.