Western Autistic School Parent Newsletter

Western Autistic School Parent Newsletter
Website: www.westernautisticschool.vic.edu.au
June 2013
Email: [email protected]
In this edition:
*Letter from the Principal
*Administration News
*Axedale Camp
Getaway 2013
*Family Day at WAS
*Donation for WAS
*Social Work Corner
School Principal / CEO
Autism Teaching
Institute (ATI)
Val Gill
Director Teacher
Training
Mary Thomson
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
Dear Parents,
With only four weeks of term 2 remaining we
are now quite busy with preparations for
2014.
New families are touring the Laverton and
Niddrie Campuses, and going through the
‘application for funding’ process. As you will
well remember, this can be quite a stressful
time for families.
Margi, (our Social Worker) and Jacqueline,
(Welfare Teacher), have organised some
great parent events, including the Signposts
program. I heard a lot of laughter coming
from the group who completed Signposts
this term – they were obviously enjoying the
sessions.
Some of you will know that teachers from
Western Autistic School (WAS) established
an educational inclusion program at the Nilai
International School (NIS) in Malaysia.
Western Autistic School was selected for
this partnership by the Nilai University
because of our international reputation as a
Centre of Excellence in the understanding
and education of students with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder. That all started 3 years
ago, and our teachers initially spent one and
two years working at the Nilai International
School. The next stage of our partnership
will involve sending 2 experienced teachers
to Malaysia for a two week period. They will
monitor the program, provide further
professional learning for the Nilai staff and
meet with parents. Gabi and Miriam will fly
to Malaysia at the start of next term.
I hope you enjoyed our family days. It’s
always a challenge to have school
involvement, as our students come from
areas across the whole western region of
Melbourne – unlike local school
communities. We also have such a high
ratio of adults to students, that to have more
adults in the classrooms can be challenging
for many of our students.
Val Gill
“Under the Sea”
By
Class Room 3.6
Administration News
Support
Your
School
Important School Dates
2013
Queens Birthday - Public Holiday
Monday 10th June, 2013
End of Second Term
Friday 28th June, 2013
School finishes at 2.00pm
Start of Third Term
Monday 15th July, 2013
End of Third Term
Friday 20th September, 2013
Western Autistic School will once again be taking part in
the Woolworths Earn & Learn Program. As from Monday
8th April until Sunday 9th June 2013, when you shop at
Woolworths you will be given a Woolworths Earn & Learn
Point. There’ll be one Woolworths Earn & Learn Point for
every $10 spent, excluding cigarettes, liquor and gift cards.
Collect these Woolworths Earn & Learn Points and Western Autistic School will be able to redeem these for educational resources. (Eg., Mathematics and English resources, Arts and Crafts or Sports gear.)
Please pop these stickers onto a Woolworths Earn & Learn
Points Sheet (you can obtain at the Store or your campus
office) and once it's completed, just send it back to school.
The more we collect, the more we can redeem.
If you have any questions, please contact your Campus
Office. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Changed Your Details ?
If you have moved recently, or changed phone numbers or
wish to update your emergency contact details, please let
your Campus Office know so that we can keep your details
up to date !
Western Autistic School is very grateful and appreciates
all the hard work that Steve Bacarnis, a Niddrie Parent,
who has kindly organised the donation of four Lenovo
desktop computers. This much needed equipment has
been set up for classroom use for our Niddrie students.
Telephone Calls
To save disruption to classes you are requested to leave
your message with the office staff who will kindly pass it on,
or contact teachers before or after school.
Day-To-Day Communication
A daily communication book is used for transferring messages between home and class teachers.
“Axedale”Camp
Getaway 2013
The students enjoyed their two days at Camp and had great
fun
participating in different activities.
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Niddrie Campus
Family Fun Day
Laverton Campus
Family Fun Day
“Teddy Bear Picnic”
Rm 2.8
“All About Me”
Rm 3.4
Family Fun Day at Laverton Campus.
Family Fun Day at the Laverton Campus was celebrated
over a few days. Extended family members and staff all
came together and shared delicious food and participated in a variety of awesome activities.
Thank You for Your
Donation
On Thursday 30th May several Freemasons visited our
school. As part of the initiative of the Freemason Task
Force, lodges across Victoria have decided to donate Lego
to school for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
and we were fortunate enough to be chosen by Footscray
St John’s Lodge.
Harry McFarlane, Mason Murcott and Lucas Bowen
from red pod, enjoying the new Lego with Brother Ahmed
Ellaz from the Footscray St John’s Lodge.
Social Work Corner
iCare Special Needs Group Inc.
Proudly Presents
Sally Girvan
Paediatric Dietician & NUTRITIONIST
WHEN:
WHERE:
RSVP:
COST:
Friday 7th June, 2013 at 10 am - 12pm
Caroline Springs Community Pavilion
22-50 Becca Way, Caroline Springs.
Julz 0408 088 336 by 31/05/13
Members free [non-members $5]
TOPICS INCLUDE
 Fussy Eaters
 Food Guidance – What to feed your child?
 Diet & Disability
 Feeding issues for children with all disabilities
 … and more …

Sally is an Accredited Practising Dietician and Accredited Practising Nutritionist with 25 years of experience. Sally
specialises in paediatric and sports nutrition with a special interest in disability and Autism, Special interest in Autism
having worked in Early Intervention for 12 years.
The proceeds from the ticket sales go towards helping carers and children with disabilities. Please check
www.icaregroup.com.au for further information.
Making it Possible’ Parent Workshop
How you can think, plan and achieve goals for your child
and family
The Association for Children with a Disability is running a workshop near you.
How can you create a fulfilling life with choices, purpose, friendship and happiness? If you want
to take the lead in achieving these goals for your child (0-18) and family, then this workshop is
for you!
Build on the strengths and skills you already have as a parent to better identify, plan and achieve
your goals.
Our presenters are parents of a person with a disability so they do understand issues from a
family perspective. See our website for details of all workshops http://www.acd.org.au/
community_ed/parent_workshops.htm
Janice Chan
Manager, Projects and Community Education
Now presenting our ‘Making it Possible’ Parent Workshop: http://www.acd.org.au/
community_ed/parent_workshops.htm
Forthcoming workshops are:

19 and 20 June – Swan Hill and Bendigo (Loddon Mallee)

23/07/2013 - Pakenham (Southern)
Association for Children with a Disability
Suite 2, 98 Morang Road
Hawthorn VIC 3122
Phone 03 9818 2000 or 1800 654 013 (rural callers)
Fax 03 9818 2300
Email [email protected]
Web www.acd.org.au
Social Work Corner
ATAPS Child
Mental Health Services
Need After Hours
Mental Health Services
After Hours Health Services
In Your Area