“Yarrabah Spotlight” by the Inters students

Interview questions by:

Lochie and Brianna (Interviewed Bek)

Athan and Ryan (Interviewed Achuol)

What is your name? Are you a teacher or ES or a student?

Bek - teacher

Achuol – student

What sport or game do you like to play?

Bek – AFL, basketball

Achuol – Tennis and I like to do art

What do you like to do on the weekend?

Bek – I like to the beach. walk my dog and have coffee with friends

Achuol – I like to go to Saturday school and be with my family

Do you have any pets?

Bek – I have a dog called Raz and a cat called Jemima

Achuol – I have a cat called Noodle

What do you like about Yarrabah School?

Bek – Everyone is friendly

Achuol – I like my friends and doing stuff

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

Bek- I like wearing Hawaiian shirts!

Achuol – I like ballerinas and I am good at braiding hair

School Council Parent Nomination Statements - Ballot will open on March 10th and close on March 17th

Stuart Farrow – Parent Statement

My name is Stuart Farrow and I am the current Yarrabah School President.

I have nominated again to join the Council team for a 2 year period.

The school is going through a challenging period with the new school build and many changes in the special needs community.

This journey started many years before my current tenure and will continue many years after. At this time of change it is very important we have stability and a measured approach to this journey. Challenges create opportunities and the children of the school must be the beneficiaries.

I am privileged to serve the community on council and hope you vote for me to be a part of the team again.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart Farrow

Helen Cherubin- Parent statement

Hello my name is Helen Cherubin, many of you may have seen me around with Stanley the black pug who is our son’s therapy dog. Unfortunately Stanley does not like the stones in the car park. He refuses to wear shoes and has become too heavy to carry across the car park..he is happy at home!

I’ve been involved with the school since my son started in EEP. Alex is now 12years old and has entered inters and his secondary education.

1. I helped form a mothers EEP support group which involved social outings with our children which gave us a chance to get out into the community.

2. I was involved with the fund raising team which put together the school fete and bi-annual Dinner.

3. Three years ago my son and I set up a Train Club and had a representative form the Metro Academy come out for a talk and each child received a membership card.

4. I’m the coordinator of the POPUP Shop which involves working with the senior students and staff. We have managed to raise money for a trampoline and funds to help the senior students on their other projects.

5. I joined the school council 2 years ago and have supported the many programmes throughout the school and represented our school at the many out of hour school functions.

6. Recently I joined with Christine to start the “ Chat and Walk Group “ .... I designed and supplied a T-Shirt for the joining members. It has been a great success with around seven to ten people joining our Tuesday walks. It’s been a amazing journey for our family. Not only has the school supported our son but our entire family through parenting courses, talks and seminars plus a parent support group.

My strengths and what I can bring to the school council is my love for the school and my desire to help other families. The experience I’ve gained working with the senior students has given me the confidence to be involved in the growth of our school.

I’ve been a dental nurse for 20 plus years and managed a Dental Practise for 16 years. I have management skills, I’m creative, I have the ability to work co-operatively with others, I’m a patient listener with good interpersonal skills. I can work independently as well as in a group. I’m willing to put in the time and effort to learn about council and attend meeting’s. I have the full support of my husband and family.

Thank you for your time and consideration

Your sincerely

Helen Cherubin

Emma Gierschick - Candidate Statement

Hi, I’m Emma. I’ve been the mum or step mum to 6 children, 3 of whom have a disability. This includes 2 step sons with autism, and my daughter Amelia (aged 7yrs) who has Down syndrome. Amelia has been coming to Yarrabah for over 5 years - starting in the tiny tots program, working her way through EEP, prep and lower junior. She has just moved into Upper junior.

Professionally, I have been an active disability and family violence campaigner for the past 6 yrs, specifically raising the profile of children with a disability at all levels of Government. I’ve attended meetings with State and Federal Ministers and Commissioners, presented at National conferences and been published in multiple documents including a Royal Commission and The Children’s Rights Report. I am not afraid to speak out when necessary and I am solution focussed.

Personally, I am a survivor of both extreme family violence, followed by breast cancer. During the latter challenge, we experienced first-hand the caring and supportive community Yarrabah can be during times of need.

I relax by reading and gardening, and ever quick to help out, helped raise funds for our student’s new garden by organising a plant sale in term 4 last year raising close to $600.

I want each child at Yarrabah to be pushed to reach their potential, to be educated, feel safe, be respected and taught kindness, and I want all parents to know they have a voice and they too are a valued part of our school community.

I would love the opportunity to serve as a parent representative on the school council, and should I be elected have several ideas that I would look to pursue which include

1. Creating a ‘Friends of Yarrabah network’ inviting all our past and present sponsors, donors and other supporters, keeping them engaged and supportive of our future endeavours.

2. Creating a ‘Yarrabah Alumni’ to celebrate the achievements of our graduates.

3. Providing more training opportunities for parents eg: key word sign, first aid etc.

Alison Wilson - Parent Statement

To the Lovely People of Yarrabah School Community

My name is Alison Wilson, and I am incredibly excited about nominating for a parent representative position on Yarrabah School Council.

I am married with two children, one of whom is currently in Inters at Yarrabah.

I believe I have much to offer our school community, both in skills and experience, and mindset.

I have a background in teaching with a Bachelor of Education and have previously served on a number of school councils.

I was co-opted to Yarrabah school council towards the end of last year and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue in this capacity.

I have extensive knowledge of the internal functions of the Education Department and the role of School Council and have the ability to open lines of communication and make key decisions.

I also spent some years working and undertaking public speaking engagements with a high-profile psychologist, focusing on communicating with, mentoring and supporting our disadvantaged youth.

I am passionate about advocating for our children; to ensure they are always treated with the respect they deserve and are offered every opportunity available, including access to a quality education.

I hope you will agree that the above points all stand me in good stead to contribute to the Yarrabah community via school council in a meaningful way.

Please be assured, if I’m fortunate enough to be elected, my number one priority will always be the welfare, happiness and meaningful education of our precious children.

Thank You

Alison Wilson

Parent statement for 2020 parent member on the school council.

My name is Ashleen McCarthy, I would like to be elected to be a parent representative on the Yarrabah School.

Administration Building Official Opening

The admin opening was a significant milestone for the building project. The opening signalled an end to stage 1 building works and the beginning of stage two. It was great to welcome Tim Richardson to open our new admin building on the 14th of February.

The new admin building on Mill Street Aspendale, has been refurbished to include an amazing front foyer for administration, separate administration work areas, private meeting room, office space, disabled toilets, First Aid room for Nurse Jess, spacious conference room, separate office space for the Business Manager, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Admin Manager, kitchen area, communications room and student bus entry area and foyer.

We are so pleased with the final result.

Please feel free to pop in and speak with Kim at the front desk who will assist you with any of your queries, or direct you to those that can.

Cake Stall Fundraiser

Thank-you to all involved in our recent bake sale fundraiser held at the Bumble Bee Baby & Children’s market in Hampton. With your assistance we raised a whopping $181. A wonderful effort especially given it was such short notice!

These funds are going towards parent & carer wellbeing initiatives that are running throughout the year.

An extra shout-out of thanks to Danielle Gullo (Curtis' Mum and organiser of the fundraiser), Jen (Jack Jack’s Mum), Stefen (teaching staff) and Clare (Curtis’ sister) for giving up their time to help on the day. They did a marvellous job; we almost sold out.

Thank you Wendy Rutzov

Wendy donated octopuses that she had crocheted for our students. They are such an amazing sensory item and have been such a fantastic addition to our classrooms. Thank you to Wendy for her generosity, it is so greatly appreciated.

Drop off times and supervision

Yarrabah School aims at providing the highest standard in establishing relationships, delivering instruction, providing a caring and safe environment and preparing your child for life after school.

To do this well we require the understanding and participation of all in our community.

Yarrabah School wish to remind families of the student arrival and supervision arrangements. All student arrivals, prior to 8.50am must remain under the supervision of a parent or carer.

The school will provide common areas for students and carers who arrive earlier than 8.50am in each section from 8.45am. It should not be the responsibility of another child's parent or carer to supervise children in these areas. It must always be the responsibility of each child's carer or parent to organise supervision of their own child.

Homeroom doors will remain closed until 8.50am. From 8.50am a staff member will open the classroom and students may begin their morning preparations.

In cases where students are frequently dropped off unsupervised, before opening hours, the school wellbeing coordinator will make contact with families.

An SMS will be sent to families of students arriving unsupervised prior to 8.50am referencing the school supervision policy.

The supervision of students is very important to Yarrabah School. We have reviewed our policies and believe supervision by families or carers, prior to the start of the school day is essential. It not only ensures students remain safe but provides staff the time required to prepare for the day without interuption.

If you have any questions related to this policy, please feel free to contact the school on 03 9580 0384.

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