Website: www.westernautisticschool.vic.edu.au Email: [email protected]
Western Autistic School - Parent Newsletter 25th June 2014
In this edition:
*Letter from the Acting Principal
* Calendar of Events for Term 3
*School News
*Events of Possible Interest for
Families
Acting School Principal
Mary Thomson
Acting Director
Autism Teaching Institute
Stephen Ahern
Assistant Principals
Mary Simson
Michelle Sanders
Liz Richardson
Julie Halls
Laverton Campus
1 Burnley Street
Laverton 3028
Telephone: 9097 2000
Fax: 9097 2001
Niddrie Campus
Corner Garnet & Teague
Streets
Niddrie 3042
Telephone: 9097 2000
Fax: 9331 0876
Autism Teaching Institute
9097-2080
Hello Parents and Guardians,
I am writing on behalf of Mary Thomson, who is on leave during this last week of Term 2.
The term has gone by very quickly and is now drawing to an end. We are conducting SSG meetings
this week and also early Term 3. This is a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s mid- year report
with teachers and also to set goals for the rest of the school year.
Last week we had a parent coffee morning and the topic was “Transitions into Special School Set-
tings”. It was an informal meeting to discuss this important transition process and was well attended.
We also met with families earlier this term to discuss “Transitions into Mainstream Settings”. Term 3
will see many families having these conversations with teachers during SSG meetings, as they plan
their child’s transition from Western Autistic School.
We have had a number of new students join us this last month and we take this opportunity welcome
these students and their families into our school community.
There is information in this newsletter regarding the National Collection of Data. The Commonwealth
Department of Education is collecting data regarding students with a disability in Australian schools,
see below for further information about this process.
Finally I would like to wish all families a safe and restful term break. We look forward to seeing you
and your children in Term 3.
Michelle Sanders
Acting Principal
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability Our school is participating in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (Data Collection). This Data Collection is taking place in government, Catholic and Inde-pendent schools across Australia, and will provide valuable information about supports required for a broad group of students. This will enable Australian and State governments to better target support and resources in schools. This in turn will help schools give students with disability the support they need. The Data Collection is not limited to students with diagnosed disabilities. It uses a very broad defini-tion of disability, taken from the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, which describe a broad range of health and learning conditions for which schools are required to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support students to participate on the same basis as other students. The Data Collection will take place during Terms 3. No personal or identifying infor-mation about any student will be included; however, if you decide you do not wish information about your child to be included in the Data Collection, you can opt-out by signing and returning the opt-out consent form. More information about the Data Collection is available on the Department of Educa-tion and Early Childhood Development website at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/needs/Pages/nccd.aspx or you could contact the Principal or Helen Manning at the Niddrie Campus if you have any further questions.
Calendar of Events for Term 3 2014
DATE PROGRAM DETAILS VENUE
Tuesday 15th July
10.30 am – 1:00pm
Fortnightly for 5
sessions
Bringing Up Great
Kids
A Parenting Program for
Building Good Relationships with Children
Laverton Campus
1 Burnley Street Laverton
(childcare available)
Monday 21st July
10.30 – 1:00pm
Fortnightly for 6
sessions
Depression and
Anxiety – Identifying and Managing these additional stressors
in your life
Depression and Anxiety are common in families with a
child with Autism. This pro-gram looks at strategies to
assist.
Niddrie Campus
Cnr Garnet & Teague Streets, Niddrie
(childcare available)
Tuesday 29th July
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Strategies for Safety in the Community,
Regarding Disability and the Law
Presented by Lucinda Nolan,
Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police and Elizabeth Curren, mother of children
with ASD.
Laverton Campus
1 Burnley Street Laverton
Tuesday 5th August 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Strategies for Safety in the Community,
Regarding Disability and the Law
Presented by Lucinda Nolan,
Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police and Elizabeth Curren, mother of children
with ASD.
Niddrie Campus
Cnr Garnet & Teague Streets, Niddrie
Tuesday 19th August
6.30pm – 9 pm
Fortnightly
Signposts for Build-ing Better Behaviour
6 week program based on
positive behaviour strategies
Niddrie Campus
Cnr Garnet & Teague Streets, Niddrie
September
Topic to be advised
To be advised
Venue to be advised
Jeans for Genes Day On Friday, 1st August, 2014 Western Autistic School Staff and Students will be participating in Jeans for Genes Day. More information to follow.
Room 1.6 Laverton Campus Classroom 1.6 have been reading and doing activities about “The Hungry Caterpillar”.
Hansel and Gretel, Relaxed Performance
Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne -Tuesday 17 June 2014,
Rooms 7a, 6a and 6b from the Niddrie Campus attended Hansel & Gretel, a relaxed opera perfor
mance at the Arts Centre, Melbourne. The performance was in German and the costumes and
narration were so well done that our students sat enthralled, following the famous children's fairy
tale with lots of interest. It was a great experience for everyone and we extend our thanks to Lise
Kosmidis-Elvins who arranged the outing.
Farm Day at Niddrie Campus
School News
John thought the
goat looked a bit
hungry so he fed it
some oats from the
cup.
Joshua patted the cow.
Omar liked
brushing the
cow.
Jai was happy patting the
rabbit
Josh liked the goat.
Ollie got to know the rabbit.
Events of possible interest for Families
The Age Run Melbourne 2014
This year a parent from Western Autistic School Laura Birch and her two good friends Higgie and Kerrie will be participating in the 10km The Age Run Melbourne on 27th July 2014. They are asking for your support by making a donation, which will assist our students at Western Autistic School. Any amount is welcome. On line donations are secure. Thank you for your support. Please visit: https://runmelbourne2014.everydayhero.com/au/no-turning-back-running-for-western-autistic-school
Brimbank Active Kids 2014 “Winter Holiday Activities for 5 to 12yrs Olds” Bookings are preferred (drop-ins accepted) Registration forms are to be completed and lodged as soon as possible as spaces are limited to 40 per site. Registrations for Westvale Community Centre and St Albans Primary School can be made at: West-vale Community Centre, 45 Kings Road, St Albans. Further enquiries please contact 9249 4665. Brimbank Activie Kids -BAK The Brimbank Active Kids (BAK) team will keep you busy these holidays with a great range of recreational and craft activities. BAK is an inclusive program that welcomes all children. Please inform us if your child has any additional needs prior to com-mencement. Sessions will be held at: West Sunshine Community Centre, 25 Kermeen Street, West Sunshine Sunshine Harvester Primary School, multi-purpose room, 132 Hertford Road, Sunshine St Albans Primary School, Sports Hall, Enter via Kate Street, St Albans Westvale Community Centre, 45 Kings Road, St Albans Time: 10am-12.30pm Dates: Tuesday 1 July, Wednesday 2 July, Tuesday 8 July, Wednesday 9 July Cost: Gold coin fee for each child per session. For further information contact 9249 4555.
Community BBQ Dad’s and Kid’s Club group from the Western Suburbs invite Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families to come along to a Com-munity BBQ . This event is to provide a chance to come together and hear about the Dad’s and Kid’s Club that is for the Commu-nity in the West. There will be a lucky draw, cultural walk, prizes & plenty of activities for all to do. Came along to Brimbank Re-serve, Keilor Park Dr, Keilor East on Sunday 29th June, 2014 at 11pm – 2pm. For further information please contact Chris Egan @ the Aboriginal Centre for Males on 9487 3000 or email: [email protected] Rhythm & Rhyme Rhythm and Rhyme is a group where you can engage with your child through nursery rhymes, stories and songs. The program encourages connections through rhythm, sound, interactive play and exploring the meaning of language to help parents and car-ers experience joy with their child. The program is open to any parent or carer with a child under 5 years old. Where: Community West, 822 Ballarat Road Deer Park When: Every Thursday during school term 2014 Time: 10.00am – 11.00am Cost: $2.00 Do-nation. For further information please contact Kelly on 9363 1811 Maternal & Child Health Service – New Initiative for New Immigrants and Refugees Monthly sessions are being held on the first Wednesday of each month to meet with a Maternal and Child Health Nurse to dis-cuss a range of topics including immunisation and other services that can support you. Please ensure you bring all health paper-work, including immunisation records. Bookings can be made by through the Brimbank Maternal & Child Health Department on 9249 4433. Creative Learning Centre
Creative Learning Centre promotes well-being through creativity, connection with others and enjoyment of learning. Located in
Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, they are holding a Winter Workshop for Creative Ballet. This is commencing Tuesday 8th July,
10am to 11am. Come and move to beautiful music with mum, dad or carer. The cost is $30-00 for ages 5-10yrs. We are taking
enrolments now , if you have any enquiry please call 9375 7239 or email : [email protected]
Autism Angels 7th Annual Dinner Dance
Requests your company on Saturday 23rd August at Italia Sporting Club, 128-152 Furlong Road Sunshine at 6.30pm. Bookings
are essential. For more information please contact: www.autismangels.org.au : or Mobile 0404 522 226.