From the Assistant Principal 

Transition

As we move closer to the end of the school year, we are holding transition sessions for all of our students. Transition sessions focus on a very gradual and supported time for students to become familiar with their spaces and teachers for the next year. It helps to start to learn new routines and creates a sense of belonging. It can even be a time to find new friends! Teachers will also be getting to know their new cohort’s interests, needs and skills.

Our sessions are held on Tuesday mornings for three weeks with the final session on December the 12th being time to meet the 2024 teacher. Please ask your child about today’s experience, it certainly seemed to be very positive!

We are also able to offer additional supports to students to ensure a smooth transition to a new classroom and teacher, so please feel free to reach out to me or the classroom teachers about this.

Disability Inclusion

I would like to share some information about Disability Inclusion from the Department of Education.

Disability Inclusion is a new funding model to help support inclusive practices. This new model will allow us to make the adjustments our students need to help with their participation, engagement and learning at school. It provides additional investment that our school can use to support groups of students like those with autism, ADHD and other learning difficulties.

Our school staff are currently accessing specialist expertise, coaching, professional learning and support to better implement inclusive education. We are taking part in a second professional learning session today on Disability Inclusion Profiles, developing Individual Education Plans and planning for reasonable adjustments as part of the Disability Inclusion model.

A Disability Inclusion Profile is a written description of a student’s strengths and needs that will help us plan what will work best for a student. 

It will inform personalised funding allocations and will replace the current Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD). The profile will also be available to a broader group of students with disability. Profiles are completed at a Student Support Group meeting with the student and people who know them. 

Schools must make reasonable adjustments to ensure students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as students without disability. 

With the recent success of our online swimming information session, I would like to offer a similar session on Disability Inclusion early in the new year if that would be beneficial.

This can seem like a very hectic time of year so please make some time for yourselves. Have a great week.

Susan Vissenjoux

Acting Assistant Principal