Website: www.westernautisticschool.vic.edu.au Email: western.autistic.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au

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: chris.egan@vacsal.org.au 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 : info@creativelc.com.au

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.