Adam Donnelly attends Banksia Secondary College in Heidelberg West for three different reasons.

One, it’s close to his Reservoir home; two, the teachers and students are friendly; and three, he is hearing impaired.

Banksia Secondary College is one of four schools in metropolitan Melbourne with a specialist hearing facility attached.

Catering for 26 deaf and hearing impaired students in Years 7 to 12, including Adam who is in Year 11, the facility is staffed by five specialist teachers of the deaf.

All students in the hearing unit attend the school’s mainstream classes including music, graphic design and physical education as well as extra classes specifically geared for their needs.

Teachers and interpreters work with the college’s deaf student population both on an individual basis and in a classroom setting.

Adam, 17, said the facility had enabled him to reach his academic potential despite his hearing impairment.

"I came here because of what the teachers at the facility do for students like me," said Adam who has been deaf since he was four.

"If I have a problem with my work they teach and support me with whatever I need."

Co-ordinator of the facility Sue Kent, who has worked at the college for more than two years, said she was proud of the success of the education service and the way deaf and hearing students were integrated.

"Deaf students’ needs are really the same as hearing students in many ways but the facility picks up on areas that require special attention," said Mrs. Kent.

"For students at this college, being deaf isn’t isolating, because they have the support they need."

"This college is known for many different things like multi-culturalism and more, but what we also do here is increase acceptance by students of people’s differences and allow everyone the same chances to do well."