Special Education

POP UP OP SHOP

There was great excitement on Wednesday 9 June as the HKHS Op-Shop opened for business. Since the start of the year students in the Support Unit have planned and organised this event as their in-school Work Education Project (Models of Workplace Engagement). 

They sourced donations of good quality clothing from staff, friends and family. They helped sort, check and make an inventory of items for sale. They advertised the event, priced items, displayed, decorated and mad cash sales. Our students developed some great teamwork and retail skills.

We were also fortunate to have the assistance of Mrs Julia Kostalas and the Senior Retail Class who did several window displays of mannequins looking trendy, wearing the Op Shop gear. In addition, those students developed a bar code system and helped scan items at the point of sale.

The day was very chilly, so we soon sold out of coats, hats and woolly jumpers. We had many happy customers who bought some great items at bargain prices. We still have a good collection of summer dresses, shorts and sandals that will be for sale when the Op-Shop pops up again in Term 3.

WORKING WELL

This year the Special Education Centre at HKHS received funding from the Models of Workplace Engagement Project. As a result, we have been able to expand the Work Education Program with some interesting new initiatives.

Earlier this term we had an in-school visit by Renay McParland from Central Coast Group Training. She spoke to students in the Support Unit from Years 9 – 12 about Traineeships and Apprenticeships. Her presentation was fun and engaging which helped students understand more about the world of work and particularly what skills employers might be looking for in recruits.

In Week 8 the students were invited to Officeworks West Gosford to take part in a mock group interview.  Students gained insight into what might be expected of them in such interview settings. In small groups our students tried their skills at “up-selling” and had the challenge of problem solving in various workplace scenarios.

The other exciting development is that a few more of our students have gained new work experience placements. Tamika and Jolie go to Kariong Neighbourhood Centre two mornings a week to help with a Play Group and Little Big School. They are developing valuable skills in childcare. Nicolette has started work experience at the Gosford Salvos Store and is enjoying learning more about retail. Krystal is about to begin a placement in the kitchen at Gosford RSL Club. This will give her opportunity to work in hospitality which is her goal when she leaves school.

We are so grateful to all these local businesses who have given time and resources to support our students. We really appreciate the connections our school has with the local community.

Mrs Bronwyn Bennett

Special Education Teacher

On Monday 21 June, eight of our AWD students attended the Zone Athletics carnival at Mingara.  Our students had a very busy day moving between events. They participated in a variety of events including 100m, 200m, discus, shot put, javelin, high jump and long jump. Some participated in all 8 events.

We had a very successful day with all eight of our students qualifying for Sydney North on Monday 19 July. Congratulations to the following students for all their efforts and perseverance on the day.

Joel Goncalves-Rose, Tiarne Bayliss, Deondre Hill, Kathryn Cameron, Curtis Chapman, Matthew Blakemore, Charlotte Gott and Joshua Gunn.