Specialist education services for children with autism are scarce in northern and regional Tasmania, making the existence of Giant Steps in Deloraine all the more vital. For families who have struggled to find appropriate schooling options, the independent not-for-profit provides a tailored, inclusive setting that few others in the region can offer. Beyond its educational impact, Giant Steps has become a deeply valued part of the Deloraine community. It is not just a school, but a local institution supported and embraced by the town it calls home.
Principal Kimberly Trebilco oversees the unique school, which this year is celebrating a significant milestone. “We’re actually this year coming up to the 30-year anniversary of Giant Steps,” she says. The school was founded by a group of committed parents who recognised that existing options were failing their children. “There wasn’t an appropriate setting for their children, so a lot of work went into researching and planning for Giant Steps.”
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From its modest beginnings, the school has grown steadily, now catering to 48 students. The growth has been enabled by the strategic acquisition of neighbouring properties, expanding the physical space and, in turn, the school’s capacity. “We have a waitlist in some of our rooms at the moment,” Trebilco says, highlighting the increasing demand.
Classes are structured to suit a range of developmental and educational needs, divided across four colour-coded rooms. These range from the Green Room, accommodating prep to Grade 2, to the Blue Room, which includes students up to Grade 12. “The year levels in each room can vary a little bit year-to-year,” she says. Each class is supported by a high staff-to-student ratio, with, for example, a classroom of ten students having one teacher and five assistants.
Currently employing around 45 staff, the school’s reach extends well beyond Deloraine. Students commute from as far as Ulverstone, Beaconsfield, Beauty Point, and even Scottsdale. “We run a bus to Launceston and a bus to Devonport,” Trebilco says, underscoring the broad geographic spread of families drawn to the school’s specialised programs.
Asked why families are willing to travel such distances, Trebilco says, “I think that we provide an educational setting where students can be themselves, and we provide a really individualised program that builds on student strengths and interests and helps students to thrive in a school setting.” This focus on tailored learning, along with an environment that values student individuality, has proven compelling for many families across the region.
Finding staff suited to this specialised environment remains an ongoing challenge. “Staffing and recruitment can be a bit of a challenge in this specialised setting,” Trebilco says. While qualifications and experience are important, she emphasises that “it’s really the personality and character of staff coming in that makes all the difference.”
The school’s funding model reflects its independent, not-for-profit status. While it receives government support, it also charges school fees, which it strives to keep affordable. “We don’t want the fees to be a barrier for families,” Trebilco notes. Community generosity plays a significant role. Local groups such as Rotary, the Golden Opportunity Shop and Deloraine House have all contributed funds to help students who may otherwise not be able to afford the fees. “Rotary were really instrumental in getting Giant Steps up and running to start with,” she says.
Planning for the future is already underway, with developments including a new bus transit area and the construction of two additional classrooms. These expansions are expected to accommodate up to 12 more students. “We then have the ability to slowly work towards adding in an additional classroom,” Trebilco says, pointing to the school’s steady trajectory of growth.
Excursions are a key part of student life, particularly for older students. A highlight is AgFest, an event that might seem daunting but is a favourite thanks to thorough preparation. “You would think that something like AgFest would be quite overwhelming, but it’s a really successful excursion.”
The school also runs a ‘Coffee Club’ initiative, where senior students take drink orders, prepare drinks, and deliver them to staff, helping them develop pre-work and communication skills in a practical setting.
Reflecting on her time at Giant Steps, Trebilco finds joy in the daily moments of student progress. She recounted the milestone of a student who, after much effort, finally stepped into the swimming pool, and another who overcame a fear of buses. “No two days are the same,” she finishes. “[It’s] the little things, where you get to see that growth and progress for a student.”
Giant Steps, rooted deeply in community and care, continues to embody its name, one purposeful stride at a time.
