Deputy Matters

This term has been an interesting and rewarding term. There have been many positives for inclusion at JBHS and for the Special Education Support unit.

I have encouraged our new Head Teachers this year to lead the combined Special Education Support faculty into developing students’ interests to support gifted and high potential students in the Arts and participate in wider community activities where possible. This has been a renewed focus due to such a long period without cocurricular activities due to COVID restrictions. We are working hard to fulfil the school motto.

It has been great to see students with additional needs, including those in support classes, who are involved in assemblies, including year assemblies this year. They are well represented in reward morning teas and in our school's Wellbeing Ambassador Program. I would like to thank Ms Bartolillo, Mrs Gouganovski and Ms Khuder for their inclusive approach. We are looking forward to growth in these areas in the years to come as we build the confidence and skills of all students to lead.

Scholars Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Professional Learning building staff expertise

As requested last year, Professional Learning specific to students learning and wellbeing needs has been a continued focus this semester. Twelve staff from both the Support Unit and mainstream have completed a twenty-hour course in ADHD after school. I would like to thank them for their dedication to the course and great ideas. We will be looking at running the Autism Course again next year.

Nagoya City Art Exchange

We heard from the Arts Coordination Officer, that Jaylyn Munoz's art work has been accepted for the Nagoya Sister City Art Exchange. The Arts Unit received 100 nominations for the 2022 Nagoya Sister City Art Exchange. They selected 50 artworks to send across for the exhibition in Nagoya, Japan. A Certificate of Participation for each student whose artwork has been accepted will be sent to our school. Artworks from the Japanese students will be sent to our school in exchange as a part of the Sister City exhibition.

I would like to thank Ms Devi for organising artworks from students in special education classes to be submitted, Ms Cattanach for the information on the program and for the Art staff and Library staff for supporting students’ talent development. Well done! A great achievement in inclusion.

Dance Success

Led by Ms Kerryn Cattanach (HT Student Services) and supported by Ms Kelly Pinder (Special Education teacher) and Mr Tristan Roberts (SLSO) our wonderful Shining Stars dancers (along with their ensemble from four other local schools) performed at the NSW Public School's State Dance Festival at the Seymour Centre on Friday 9th September. They also performed on Sunday morning, opening a Disability conference at the ICC at Darling Harbour. Shining Stars has also had a great art and music program.

Wear it Purple Day

As a school we acknowledged Wear it Purple Day this year where students had the option of wearing purple. Thanks to all those who engaged in this inclusion activity.

Celebrating ongoing success

Students in Special Education Classes are included in whole school and year assemblies where their successes are celebrated as part of acknowledging student achievements. The Special Education Faculty has also focused on sending letters home to parents to recognise improvement at school. 

Special Education Support Faculty

It has been my pleasure to lead our team of twenty-eight staff including teachers and support officers this semester in the Special Education Support faculty. I appreciate their work with supporting students’ learning and wellbeing.

Review Meetings

Head Teachers Ms Sanjeshni Devi and Ms Saira Mahommed met with Parents and Counselling staff to complete review meetings this term. The positive feedback from parents and carers was appreciated. Parents have mentioned letters home and involvement in co-curricular activities including dance, art and music activities as a highlight this year. We will continue to have meetings with parents in Term 4 and complete transition plans. I would like to thank parents for their wonderful support and feedback to staff. 

Involvement of External Support Agencies

At JBHS we welcome the input of external services to work with our teachers and students in supporting individual students to progress. These may be occupational therapists, hearing, speech or behavioural support workers. We have had a significant increase in external service providers working in our school and utilising a newly refurbished community space.

Additional Support Programs

Students from Special Education Support classes have been involved in different whole school extra-curricular programs this term including: The Black Dog Institute doing a regular (yearly) catch up with students who loaded a mental health and wellness app onto their phone 2 years ago; Heroes With Ability - for supporting our students in Vocational Skills for Life; Street Law Clinic – delivering content to students around a range of topics including Driver responsibility and Police powers ; Backflips against bullying; South Cares and TAFE NSW. We thank all of these groups for working with students across our school and to Julie Moon, Tristan Roberts and Amko Suljevic for facilitating inclusion of students in varied programs. More exciting programs are being planned for next term.

Elective TAS Program

Students have been enjoying developing their cooking skills this term. We look forward to developing this next year with some café hospitality skills being developed.

Community Access Programs

Ms Samuels and Ms Au have been running a community access program this term. Students in Special Education classes have been supported to learn essential travel skills, where required, and practise pro-social skills in the community. This will continue next term and be expanded across classes.

I thank all the teachers and students for their great work though out this term.

Regards and thanks

Mrs Veronica Mafi

Deputy Principal Inclusion and Support