ASESC Newsletter

Albany Secondary Education Support Centre

65 Anson Road ALBANY WA 6330

Phone: 08 9841 4900

Excellence in Specialised Education

A huge thanks to the students and staff who attended the Albany RSL Sub-branch ANZAC Day

March and Service on Wednesday 25th April. This is always a significant opportunity to honour

the soldiers, past and present, who served their country. Thanks to Liam, Seb and Joanalyn for

being our wreath layers.

ANZAC Parade 2018

Term 2 Week 5 2018

Dear Parents and Carers The first half of this term has been really busy as always. We are now just past the middle of the term 2, with it being a short 9 week term; lots of assessments have been done, teachers are writing reports, and school planning and review documents are done. As you may have seen on Facebook, teacher Elise Parker and I represented the WA Education Support Principals and Administrators in Sydney. We met with David Gonski to participate in the discussion of his report into the Review to Achieve Excellence in Australian Schools, Professor Geoff Masters, CEO of Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) and Rob Randall the CEO of Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). It was a stimulating set of meetings; we discussed David Gonski’s intention of his report, current international educational research, the future directions of education in Western Australia and Minister Sue Ellery’s position on educational reform in Western Australia. Elise and I will remain on a reference group for Minister Ellery’s office. It was an amazing opportunity to ensure the needs of students with specialised educational needs remains at the fore-front of future planning in terms of curriculum and resourcing. I then went to Perth for a course in Leading School Improvement in Education Support setting; a 4 day course which focuses on examining closely what we do well, why it works and what we can do better as a whole school. You will read about other highlights so far this term, including the ANZAC commemoration and our new garden which is being well used for ‘garden to table’ education. A reminder too that our parent afternoon tea is on Monday 18th June at 3.15pm. There will be time to have a cup of tea or coffee and chat before we explain how ASDAN and Positive Behaviour Support work in our school. If you would like to visit your child’s classroom and see the work students have been doing, there will be time for that afterwards. I look forward to seeing you there.

Warm Regards, Karen Campbell Principal

Period Start Finish Length

Term 2 Tuesday 1st May Friday 29th June 9 Weeks

School Holidays Saturday 30th June Sunday 15th July

Term 3 Monday 16th July Friday 21st September 10 Weeks

School Holidays Saturday 22nd September Sunday 7th October

Term 4 Monday 8th October Thursday 13th December 10 Weeks

2018 WA School Holidays and Term Dates

Mobile Phones: Permission for students to use mobile phones during breaks, before or after school

has historically been to support self-regulation (listening to music) or promote interpersonal or social skills. Recently the requirements have not been adhered to, therefore student phone use will not be permitted at school without staff permission. If your child needs it for self regulation please call me to discuss it. These times are a great opportunity for students to socialise or relax, and reduce their dependence on devices.

Edible Garden Area

The final stage of Area 2 has now been completed with the addition of our edible garden area.

Students were excited to plant the first crop of vegetables in our new edible garden. Students

are developing employable gardening skills in learning about the life cycle of plants and

sustainability, healthy eating, literacy and numeracy as they grow and harvest fresh produce to

cook meals together in life skills class. Thank you to those parents who generously donated their

clothing allowance to support this wonderful program for the students. Your donation will

purchase seedlings and equipment for the edible garden.

Edible Garden Area

A snap shot of some of our students

planting vegetables and herbs in our

wonderful new edible garden planter

boxes.

A1 Class Report

Welcome to Term 2, I’m glad everyone had a great break. Term 2 is already in full swing and students have slipped back into their school routines and job tasks with ease, with improvements in work skills and self-regulation evident. With the final completion of the Area 2 garden complete, A1 have been busy both during science and Bush Rangers lessons planting vegetables and herbs as well as learning about the importance of composting and what items can and cannot be composted. A1 have designed, painted and installed a set of worm tubes for our fruit trees in the garden in which, students will add their composting materials such as fruit peelings after crunch and sip sessions, scraps of recycled newspaper but most importantly worms. This process will give a hands on experience to all students about the importance of composting and the benefits it has for our environment. Mr Breadmore has A1 students banging away to some up-tempo beats during Drumbeat sessions and excitement is building for a small concert of their performance later in the term. Mr Breadmore has also achieved success during Protective Behaviour sessions with A1 students particularly with personal space. Mrs Claessens’ art sessions have simply been amazing, and the pieces of art work produced sensational. The focus and attention to detail from A1 students’ needs to be commended. Once again I need to thank all parents and A1 staff for their efforts and support in ensuring the safety of students and that their learning opportunities are maximised. I look forward to the rest of the term with the many grand activities and learning opportunities A1 students will be participating in. Kind regards John Jarzabek, A1 Teacher.

A snapshot of some of A1 highlights of Term 2 2018

A4 Class Report

Protective Behaviours Update

We have worked hard to understand the concepts of Early Warning Signs; how our body would feel when we feel

scared.

Each student had their body traced around on butcher paper. Then with support from staff they were to identify

how they felt when scared by indicating the area of the body they may feel something such as Kate said Jelly

Legs and Sam pointed to the butterflies in the stomach.

Many of the lessons were repeated or taught in different formats for each student to understand the meaning of

the different feelings and relate it to their own body feelings. All students could indicate at least one early warning

sign when asked or given a choice. The students have been focused and engaged on their learning goals this

term with pleasing results. For the remainder of the term we are to focus of who makes them feel safe. So thank

you, parents for sending photos of your child’s friends and family.

A5 Class Report

In Cooking this term we have made breakfast wraps, and

Cornish pasties. Next week we are making chicken nuggets.

We have been setting the table and been eating the yummy

food it has been great. By Alec.

In First Aid we have been learning about the recovery position. As well as to be able to help

someone with a blood nose. We have had to learn how to do this in case of a real emergency.

Chloe.

In A5 we have been participating in Health and Relaxation sessions. We have gone for bush

walks as well as having foot spas they feel fantastic. Mindfulness is also being used in these

sessions. Chad.

In Fabric Technology we made recycled shopping bags out of T shirts.

On Mondays we shop at Woolworths and use our recycled shopping

bags. James.

In Social Games we have learnt to take turns and play Rummy to together. By Jack.

Chloe putting a ‘casualty’ into the recovery position

Alec preparing Cornish Pasties

James using his t-shirt shopping bag on community access.

Alec and Jack playing Rummy.

A5 Class Report

In Art class we have been producing art works from www.Thriveart.com. We just use a black pen to draw, we don’t use pencils or an eraser. When we have finished drawing our picture we add colour to it. Some of the drawings have been of dogs, fish and castles. Both myself and my classmates have enjoyed our Art classes. By Joe A.

Every day before break 1, we make healthy lunches with meat and cheese, vegemite, etcetera.

There is eight students who participate in the lunch making. By Joe C.

In Music we were involved in the Noongar Song Project. We learned to sing Kawa song with

Rachel and Matt. This term we have a different musician come to the school and play for us on

Fridays. By Sarah-Jane

Sarah painting her picture

Joe preparing his lunch

Joe playing the drums with a visiting musician.

A6 Class Report

Welcome to the A6 newsletter. Room Change! A6 staff and students moved into a new room at the start of term. The new room is bright and spacious and we have all adjusted to it very well. There is a lot of room for a variety of lessons. Staff Change. Mrs Parker is going to be working at Spencer Parker Education Support Centre on Fridays as well as Wednesdays this term, so we welcome Mr Lovitt for an additional day. Mr Lovitt is teaching the same learning goals as Mrs Parker was teaching in class on Fridays. Here is what we have been up to so far this term. MATHS - Some students used accurate measurement to create a tool box. They are nearly completed. Students will move onto strengthen their knowledge about time.

ASDAN—In ASDAN we have been working on the different relationships we have with people. In week 4 we worked on identifying strangers. Even though we may know lots about a famous person they are still a stranger because we don’t spend time with them in real life and we have likely never met them in real life.

LITERACY—Reading and Spelling is always a focus in Literacy class. We are also learning how to write different types of sentences to help us understand about the structure of writing.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION In PE with Mrs Parker, some students have been learning to referee area 2 soccer. Students identified that they need to know the rules, use a clear loud voice and stand close to the game.

A8 Class Report

A8 students have made a very positive and successful start to Term Two, enthusiastically working

to meet and exceed their individual goals. In Science, the students designed and presented some

amazing irrigation systems and water troughs to decrease water consumption, whilst in

Mathematics they have been using huge number lines on the floor to order whole numbers,

fractions and decimals.

The students have been active too, planting some lettuces and cabbages in our raised garden

beds, participating in Workplace Learning and in learning the correct technique to perform a

two-handed backhand stroke in tennis. Indeed, the students can be congratulated for their efforts

in improving their fitness and core strength, enthusiastically bettering their skipping techniques

during morning fitness and always exerting themselves during Physical Education sessions by

running with intensity. Well Done A8!

Mark Turner

A8 Class Teacher.

Neve ordered whole numbers on a number line.

Blake, Blaize, Krystyna and Seb planted vegetables in the raised garden bed.

Amy presented her water trough idea designed to reduce water. consumption.

A9 Class Report

The students of A9 have continued the great work from term 1 into term 2. It has been great to see the

students take greater responsibility with their learning as they start looking towards what they would like

to do in the future.

One of the great new opportunities has been the Passport 2 Employment program which has been

occurring on Thursdays at the Community Living Association. Students here have been learning the

skills that they will require to successfully gain and maintain employment outside of school.

Another great opportunity for the students has been the completion of the garden beds in the new area

2. The students are growing cauliflower, carrots, broad beans and lettuce that they will be able to use in

their cooking classes.

I would like to thank all of the students and staff of A9 for their efforts so far this term and look forward to

more of the same.

Mr Tim Claessens

Bush Rangers Report

Last term in week 11 the students went to Pemberton for their camp. We stayed at the Camp

School and the students enjoyed all of the services that we provided for them by the staff.

We had a number of new Bush Rangers this camp and it was great to see how well they

represented the school. All the students came together as a group and helped each other

through new and exciting experiences.

During the camp the students were given the opportunity to do many amazing activities. They

walked part of the Bibbulmun track, mountain biked, climbed the Bi-Centennial tree, took a 4wd

tour and rolled down some sand dunes, as well as many other activities.

I look forward to the next camp at the end of term 2.

Mr Timothy Claessens

Bush Rangers Report

Save the Date—Parent Afternoon Tea

ASESC—Important Dates 2018

Monday 18th June 3.15pm – 4.30 Parent Afternoon Tea

Wednesday 27th to Friday 29th June—Bush Rangers Camp

School Development Days—Students do not attend School on these days.

Monday—16th July 2018

Friday—9th November 2018 (Albany Show Day)

Friday—14th December 2018

Parent afternoon tea Monday 18th June 3.15 to 4.30 pm .

Agenda as follows

3:15pm to 3:30pm tea/coffee afternoon tea in A3

Presentation on ASDAN

Presentation on PBS

4:15-4:30pm informal chat with teachers in A3

PARENT WORKSHOPS For parents of children with a disability

Meet other parents who have a child with different abilities

Crèche provided so you can listen, join in, and enjoy your refreshments!

Presentation by a health professional

Plenty of opportunities to have your questions answered & listen to other’s experiences & ideas

New topics each week!

11th May: The Importance of Play. Guest Speaker: Occupational Therapist

18th May: Impact on a Family of having a Child with a Disability. Guest Speaker: Positive Behaviour Support Specialist

1st June: Making the Most of Mealtimes. Guest Speaker: Speech Pathologist

8th June: Looking after Yourself. Guest Speaker: Positive Behaviour Support Specialist

Where: Busselton Family Centre, 19-21 Kent Street When: 11

th, 18

th May & 1

st, 8th June, 2018

Time: 9:30-11:30am

Cost: FREE

Facilitator: Ability Centre Therapy Team Contact Rohee on 0447 216 220

Look at www.eventbrite.com.au for details and registration!

School Food Appeal

The Food Bank School Food Appeal is on again!

Commencing on Monday 28th May and continuing through to Friday 15

th June 2018, Albany

Secondary Education Support Centre will be collecting food donations on behalf of Foodbank WA

to assist with their Winter Appeal.

Demand for food relief remains high in Western Australia with over 94,000 people seeking help

from Food Bank each month. Winter is always a time of extra demand, so by helping to collect

canned foods we can make a big difference to many Albany families. The food our school collects

will go directly to Food Bank Albany to support local families in need.

Please help our school to support our local Food Bank, by bringing in donations during the Food

Drive period. Collection Boxes will be set up in all the classrooms and in the front office.

Carol Griffiths