Principal Report

Staff Professional Learning

Following two years of cancellation Jane Farrall finally crossed the border from South Australia to present her five day Literacy For All Intensive course here at Belmore School over the second week of the school holidays.  Jane is a speech pathologist and special educator passionate about literacy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology.  With over 20 years of experience in the disability and assistive technology field Jane has extensive practical experience in both Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and in teaching children and adults with disabilities to acquire literacy, which she now shares through her consultancy service around the world.

Helen Tainsh is an experienced Speech Pathology consultant who specialises in supporting students with complex communication needs.  Helen has been integral in supporting Belmore to flourish into a thriving communication community over the last five years.

Both Jane and Helen are internationally recognised for their expertise in supporting students with disabilities to engage in a meaningful literacy program and to maximise their learning potential and we were privileged to host their course here at Belmore.

Six of our amazing teachers and two of our incredible parents gave up the second week of their well deserved school holidays to attend this program and were overwhelmed by the knowledge and skills they gained through their involvement in Jane and Helen's Literacy for all Intensive Course.  On behalf of the Belmore community I thank Hannah, Lydia, Emma, Zoe, Patrick, Stefen, Lina and Susan for focusing on their own professional development for the betterment of our students.

Jane's mantra which we all share here at Belmore

Belmore School Fundraiser

Last Saturday I went with somewhat trepidation to Activate Exercise Physiology in Balwyn North to participate in a sled challenge fundraiser to raise funds for the purchase of new exercise equipment for our students to use at school.  I was joined by a number of staff and we all had a great time as we each pushed the sled with ever increasing weight to gain valuable funds for our school pledged by the Activate members. While I exhausted 70kg, our pocket rocket physio Ash and quiet achiever teacher Eli both pushed the magnificent total of 200kg. The exercise physiologists Nathaniel, Rory and Jack then took over with Jack giving his all, as well as the soles of his shoes to push 450kg.

What a magnificent time we all had and yes I did feel a little queen like as I was pushed along by my magnificent team.  Nathaniel from Actitvate will attend our October whole school assembly to deliver their generous donation.

World Teachers' Day

Our wonderful Belmore teachers were treated to a special morning tea on Wednesday morning as we shared teachers day with the rest of the world on 5 October.  The theme for World Teachers' Day this year is “The transformation of education begins with teachers”. This is a day to celebrate the transformative and critical role that teachers play in growing learners' potential.  Our teachers hold this responsibility with utmost importance as we are privileged to work each day with our most deserving students, providing them with quality educational experiences to ensure they enjoy a positive, holistic and wholly rewarding school experience.

A Cure for Vivian - Picture Story Book

Joy Namdarian one of our wonderful Belmore parents has written a picture story book about our beautiful Belmore student Vivian. 'A Cure for Vivian' is a heartwarming story about a little girl who goes in search of a cure for her baby sister who has an unknown rare illness.

A Cure for Vivian is Joy's first children’s book. It was written because in the first years of Vivian’s life, Joy found it incredibly difficult to read bedtime books to her then-toddler, Evelyn. Vivian had not met her milestones, she was having seizures constantly, and the doctors said that she would never be able to have a normal life.

“The children’s books I read to Evelyn were about children learning, developing, and doing; they all had happy endings. I would choke on the words every time I had to read a story to her. I learned from other families in a similar situation that they also struggled to read typical children’s books to their kids. So I decided to write a children’s book that parents could read to their children, that would provide them with a feeling of comfort instead of heartbreak.”

Many thanks Joy for sharing your picture story book with our families, who may be able to relate to some of the feelings you have experienced.  The book retails for $29.99 and can be purchased through the families website https://namdarbooks.com.au/ or by contacting us here at Belmore.

Karen Overall 

Principal