Principal Report
Activate Fundraiser
Last Friday Nathaniel and Anastasia from Activate Exercise Physiology in Balwyn North paid a visit to Belmore to support our students with a range of fun physical activities. Following this Nathaniel presented our therapy team with a cheque from Activate's fundraising event for the magnificent sum of $9000.
As you can see from the photos, I was blown away by this incredible display of generosity from the Activate community, while Steph, Ash and Michelle were absolutely beaming at such a wonderful result.
https://www.activate-ep.com.au/
On behalf of our students and staff I would like to sincerely thank Nathaniel, Rory, Jack and the Activate Exercise Physiology community for helping to make a difference to the physical health of our students.
Introducing Brent Hayward, Belmore School's new Mental Health Practitioner
Brent is a registered nurse and credentialed Mental Health Nurse and comes to us from the Department’s central office. Prior to working in the Department of Education and Training, Brent worked in the Department of Health and Human Services where he helped to lead the clinical and practice standards for disability services prior to the NDIS. Brent has been working with people with disability for many years, including as a disability support worker, as an Educator in the disability unit at Family Planning Victoria, and later as a Senior Clinician in the Victorian Dual Disability Service (the state-wide mental health service for people with intellectual disability). He has worked in several roles in public mental health services including acute inpatient services, homeless outreach, youth early psychosis, and nursing education. Brent has a Master of Education (Special Education) and a PhD (his research was about establishment of behaviour support in the NDIS).
Brent is available to talk directly with parents and carers about any concerns they have about their child’s mental health or wellbeing. Brent will also be contacting some parents and carers directly about supporting their child at school. Brent will be at the school on Thursdays and can be contacted at brent.hayward@education.vic.gov.au and at the school on 9859 8762 and 0418 519 779. You can also put a note in your child’s communication diary asking Brent to contact you, and the teacher will pass this onto Brent.
Variety Club Healesville Sanctuary Excursion
Hosted by the Variety Club our SLC5 and SLC8 students were recently treated to a wonderful day at Healesville Sanctuary. Operating in 40 countries across the globe, Variety – the Children’s Charity provides life changing equipment and programs to kids experiencing disadvantage, disability and illness. Healesville Sanctuary was closed to the public for the day to enable students from a variety of specialist schools to enjoy the native animals and all the wonderful experiences the sanctuary has to offer. Our appreciation is extended to the Variety Club for hosting this special day out for our secondary students.
Do you have a gaming console that is not being used?
Several of our students share a common interest in video games. Belmore School is setting up a lunch time video game activity to further occupy students, and support their physical, thinking, and social skills.
If you have a video game console and multi-player games (particularly Mario Kart and other interactive games that can be played by multiple students at one time) that you’re no longer using, we would appreciate you donating them to the school. The activity will be facilitated and supervised by staff, and student engagement and progress will be monitored.
If you would like to donate, please drop it in at the office or send it into school with your child with a note to say that it’s a donation.
Karen Overall
Principal