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Wangaratta District Specialist School

Parent Handbook – 2020

MISSION STATEMENT WDSS staff, in partnership with parents, carers and the community, will provide students with a comprehensive and individualised education in a professional, supportive, friendly and attractive environment.

SCHOOL LOCATION Name: Wangaratta District Specialist School Address: 139 Appin Street, Wangaratta 3677 Telephone: 03 57 217 424 Facsimile: 03 57 218 601 E-Mail: wangaratta.ss@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.wangarattass.vic.edu.au Principal: Chris Harvison

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Assistant Principal: Alysha Jackson Business Manager: Abby Crotty Administration Contact: Cathy Vaccaro & Jill Ould This Manual has been prepared to provide the school community with general information about the Wangaratta District Specialist School. You are encouraged to read this booklet carefully and then to store it in a convenient place for future reference. Chris Harvison – Principal.

Contents

School Description 3 Staff Code of Ethics 3 School Staff 4 Staffing 4 Therapists 5 School Hours 5 School Routine 5 Chaplaincy 6 Pupil Free Days 6 Term Dates 6 Parent Code of Conduct 7 Parent Opinion 7 Transport 7 Taxi Cards 8 Enrolments 8 Communication 8 Parent Participation 9 Student Welfare 9/10 School Rules 11/12/13 Uniforms 14 Excursions 14 Essential Educational Items 14 Bike Education 15 Integration 15 School Council 15 Working Bees 15 Resource Agencies 16 Student Insurance 16

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SCHOOL DESCRIPTION Wangaratta District Specialist School is a Department of Education & Training (DE&T) School that provides a comprehensive curriculum for students aged 5-18 with mild to severe intellectual disabilities. The school operates in three age based areas – Junior, Middle & Senior. Curriculum delivery is based on “The Victorian Curriculum” A-D and Foundation -10 which is used in all Victorian State Schools. As students’ progress through the school they have the opportunity to participate in The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and other adapted and age appropriate programs which prepare them for post school options. Students can attend WDSS until the end of the year in which they turn 18. Each classroom is staffed with a teacher and one or more teacher assistants – depending on the level of need. Staff are experienced and well trained to meet the diverse additional needs of all students. The school is set in a pleasant, secure and well maintained environment. Additional features include a library, kitchens, barbeque areas, asphalt playing area, trampolines, multi-purpose room, PMP (Perceptual Motor Program) room, sensory room, separate play areas, playground and extensive shading. We believe that every student has the right to learn and to be provided with maximum opportunity to extend their overall potential in a safe, happy and positive environment where families are welcomed and supported.

STAFF CODE OF ETHICS __ Demonstrate integrity by: ● acting in the best interest of students ● maintaining a professional relationship with students, parents, colleagues and the community ● behaving in ways that respect and advance the profession

Demonstrate respect by: ● acting with care and compassion ● treating students fairly and impartially ● holding colleagues in high regard ● acknowledging parents as partners in the education of their children

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Demonstrate responsibility by: ● providing quality teaching ● maintaining and developing our professional practice ● working cooperatively with colleagues in the best interest of students.

SCHOOL STAFF Teaching staff at Wangaratta District Specialist School have extended their initial teaching qualification with further formal and informal qualifications in Special Education. To ensure that staff knowledge is current they regularly attend professional development activities throughout the year. All staff has extensive and varied experience with the management and welfare of students with special needs.

STAFFING Principal Chris Harvison Assistant Principal Alysha Jackson Business Manager Abby Crotty Office Assistant Cathy Vaccaro & Jill Ould

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Teachers Elise Aggenbach Student Wellbeing Naomi Ambrosio Alicia Armstrong Matt Baxter Bridie Bromley David Couttie Chloe Day Frazer Dent Lisa Detlefsen Belinda Graham Jordan Griffin Lee Gronow Ryan Hargreaves Physical Education Sarah Holmes-Brown Renee Jagoe Jodi Jordan Art Cat Kittelty Leanne Martin Kate O’Keefe Rosie O’Brien VCAL Daine Porter Judd Porter Learning Specialist Meg Rickard Adrian Rocchiccioli VCAL Jessica Sharp Suzanne Sinclair Transition Co-ordinator Jacqui Sullivan Jodie Webb VCAL Jo Wheeler Phillipa Witting Learning Specialist Robyn York Music

Teacher Assistants Emily Ainsworth Lea Ashton Simon Baker Fiona Brown-Elkner Lisa Campagna Jessica Elliot Sharon Gambold Lizz Gourley Chris Hill Andrea Hooker Darlene Hutton Sam James Leanne Kelly Jill Logan Jack McNeilly Belinda Membrey John Mullins Luke Mullins Jill Ould Ashley Pearson Abbey Phelps Elam Prabavathy Sheydin Pritchard Shannon Rogers Stella Ruaro Mab Watson

Chaplain Rose Couttie Social Worker Emma Fahey & Brianna Norden Allan Sinclair Maintenance

THERAPISTS The following Allied Health professionals are employed by the school: Paula Collins Occupational Therapist Lily Harrington Speech Pathologist Tina James Allied Health Assistant

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The school engages in a variety of specialists to assist with the development of teaching and learning programs. Visiting Teachers from the region provide a service for hearing and sight impaired students and their teachers. They visit on a regular basis. Other student needs will be addressed as the need arises. Visiting Teachers from the Mansfield Autistic School also work with our students who access their facility/services.

SCHOOL HOURS Wangaratta District Specialist School hours for students are from 9.00am – 3.00pm. In the event of your child not attending school, please call the office or enter the absence on Compass. On the last day of each term, students are dismissed an hour earlier than usual at 2.00 pm and therefore will arrive home one hour earlier.

SCHOOL ROUTINE 8.45am – 9.00am ……………………………. Students arrive

9.00am – 10.30am ……………………………. First Session 10.30am – 11.00am ……………………………. Recess 11.00am – 12.30pm ……………………………. Second Session 12.30am – 1.00pm …………………………… First Lunch Break 1.00pm – 1.30pm ……………………………. Second Lunch Break

1.30pm – 2.45pm ……………………………. Third Session 2.45pm – 3.00pm ……………………………. Students depart

If you wish to contact members of staff to discuss issues or concerns, the most appropriate and convenient times are before or after school or at lunch or morning recess. School assemblies are held each Friday afternoon in the new multi-purpose room. Junior Assembly is held at 1:45, Middle and Senior Assembly begins at 2:15. Parents and carers are welcome to attend. “Principals Award” and “Student of the Week” awards are presented, special news events and birthdays are recognised and we celebrate student’s achievements.

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CHAPLAINCY WDSS is fortunate to have the services of a “School Chaplain” – Rose Couttie, on Mondays and Tuesdays. Rose works pro actively with students, staff and parents. Parents wanting support or assistance are encouraged to contact Rose on 57217424.

PUPIL FREE DAYS Student free days are mandated by the DECCD and occur throughout the year. Please see fortnightly newsletter for dates.

TERM DATES Term dates for 2020 are as follows:

Term 1: 29th January to 27th March

Term 2: 14th April to 26th June

Term 3: 13th July to 18th September

Term 4: 5th October to 18th December

Public Holidays for 2020 are as follows:

Labour Day Monday 9th March

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Easter Friday 10th April – 13th April Anzac Day Saturday 25th April Queen’s Birthday Monday 8th June Melbourne Cup Day Tuesday 3rd November

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT Parents are asked to: ● work in partnership with the school to ensure the best possible outcomes for students ● participate in meetings when requested ● communicate in an appropriate way with classroom and administration staff ● work cooperatively with the school to address concerns ● respond to school requests in a timely and appropriate way ● support school initiatives where possible – school fees. ● join the school community for ceremonies and celebrations when possible

PARENT OPINION Parents with concerns are strongly encouraged to approach classroom staff, unit leaders and/or the principal to address issues. Each year a number of parents are invited to participate in the Parent Opinion Survey. This survey is organised by The Department of Education and Training (DET) and is undertaken by all state schools. Your feedback is collated in Melbourne and trends are identified. This information offers us an opportunity to celebrate what we are doing well and to consider improvements where they may be needed.

TRANSPORT The DET provides free transport for most students attending WDSS. There are guidelines attached to this transport:

1. Students who travel on the bus for three days or more have greater assurance of access.

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2. Students must behave in a way that does not threaten the safety of other passengers or bus operators. A period of exclusion from bus travel may follow misbehaviour.

3. In the event that student behaviour cannot be modified, continued bus travel may not be possible.

It is the parents/caregiver’s responsibility to contact the school, preferably the office, by 2pm if there are changes to their child’s daily travel arrangements. If you would like further information please obtain a copy of the school’s “Contract Bus” Policy. Parents can contact bus staff on the following numbers:

Moyhu Bus (Bec) …………… 0477 387 657 Myrtleford Bus (Dianne) ……..…0477 387 659 Benalla Bus Big (Tracey)......… 0475 573 653 Benalla Bus Small (Rosie) …….. 0417 972 796 Rutherglen Bus (Fiona)………… 0447 217 407 Wangaratta School Bus (Simon)

It is important to ensure that your child is ready on time for daily transport and that there is someone available to meet your child when he / she is returning home at the end of the day. PLEASE BE AT YOUR CHILD’S NOMINATED STOP 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED ARRIVAL TIME. Alterations to original pick up / drop off points must be negotiated with the Principal.

TAXI CARDS Many of our regular programs may involve the use of taxis to transport students to and from a venue e.g. hydrotherapy, swimming, excursions, community access. To ensure that the cost to the school is minimal, all students eligible for Taxi Cards (half fare travel) should carry the card in their wallet or bag each day. The school meets the cost of taxis for program purposes. Application forms for taxi cards are available at the school.

ENROLMENTS All students attending WDSS must be eligible for the “Program for Students With Disabilities”. They must complete a “Vineland Adaptive Behaviour 3” which assesses a student’s capacity to get along with others and handle everyday demands in a school/home setting. Based on the outcome of that evaluation, students will next undergo a cognitive assessment which will

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determine eligibility to attend WDSS. Finally, a Student Support Group (including parents) will assemble to complete an Educational Needs Questionnaire which is used by DET to determine that the student is eligible to attend WDSS and the level of funding support that will be allocated. Most students will be required to undergo a review of this process at Year 6/7. The school office will provide all parents of prospective new students with an enrolment information package. Information sheets, consent forms, emergency contact forms, medical forms etc. are distributed, updated and re-signed in the first week of each new school year. Upon enrolment at the school, a copy of your child’s birth certificate and immunisation certificate must be presented to the office for copying.

COMMUNICATION Staff at WDSS invite and seek regular communication with parents and carers. This may involve phone calls or written notes in the Student Planners / Communication books which are sent home daily with all students. These books convey information about special daily activities or events, program involvement or forthcoming excursions, visits etc. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to use these books to share information on a daily basis. The planner / book may also enclose any important notices, so it is essential that parents/carer’s read them regularly. Student Individual Learning Plans (ILP) are developed with parent / carer input in a Student Support Group (SSG) meeting in Terms 1 and 3 or as required. At the end of each semester written reports are based on the goals set at the SSG meetings with reference to the Hume Special Schools’ Curriculum and Victorian Curriculum. SSG meetings are an opportunity for parents/carers and teachers to discuss individual student learning, general wellbeing and transition. Parents/carers may request an SSG meeting throughout the year. A newsletter is available fortnightly on a Friday and contains general information, important news and notification of upcoming events. The newsletter can be accessed via our Facebook page or website.

PARENT PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT Parents and carers are an important part of our school community and are encouraged to participate in the many events, activities and fundraising that occur throughout the school year. The school has an ‘open door’ policy – we desire and promote parent involvement and contact with the school and welcome visitors at any time.

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Whilst we are always pleased to see parents/carers at school, to ensure that your visit will be at a convenient time for everyone, please make an appointment. This can be arranged via your child’s planner / communication book or by phoning the school. Parents/carers of secondary school age students are asked to drop their child(ren) at the front of the school to encourage independence and to communicate information in a timely way, either in person or via the daily planner. To participate in school activities involving children, parents are required to have a current Working with Children’s Check. You can obtain this form from the Post Office. If there is an emergency and you need to call unexpectedly, please report to the office or Principal first.

STUDENT WELFARE The good health and wellbeing of students and staff is a prime consideration at our school. To ensure that the general environment is conducive to good health and safety, please give major consideration to the following items:

1. Emergencies It is essential that contact numbers are kept up to date and are in the school’s records so that you can be immediately contacted in the event of your child becoming ill or injured. Please notify the school of any changes in contact details. In the case of more serious conditions or injuries, the Principal, in consultation with staff, will contact parents and an ambulance if it is necessary.

Students with life threatening medical conditions are required to have a Medical Action Plan.

These plans are developed at the commencement of each school year and must be formulated in consultation with the child’s doctor and the parent/carer. Parents/carer’s are responsible for notifying the school of any changes to the Medical Action Plan throughout the year. A BLANK “MEDICAL ACTION PLAN” WILL BE SENT HOME EARLY IN THE YEAR FOR COMPLETION BY A DOCTOR.

2. Absences Parents/caregivers should contact the school if their child will be absent from school or via the Compass App. Messages can be left at the office. Parents should also notify bus staff of their child’s absence via the school office. The school does not have the staff or the facilities to cater for students who are ill. If you doubt the health of your child, DO NOT send him/her to school. In settings such as ours, many illnesses spread rapidly and it is your responsibility to consider the health of other students and staff. In addition to this, student’s who arrive late or leave early must be signed in or out at the office.

3. Medication All medication sent to school must be clearly labelled with the child’s name and dosage clearly identified on the original bottle/container supplied by the pharmacist. If your child requires medication to be administered by a staff member, please obtain a medical form from the office. Staff are not able to administer aspirin/paracetamol etc. unless approval

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is provided through the school’s medication form i.e.: permission must be given in writing. All medication must be provided by parents. Medication is kept in locked facilities and registers kept. Where administration of medication requires some form of expertise, this will only be administered in an emergency by staff who: ● have signed permission from parent/caregiver in the form of a Medical Action Plan ● have been trained in the procedure. ● It is parents/carer’s responsibility to check personalised medication that stays on the

premises for emergencies e.g. Midazolam, EpiPen for the use by date.

4. Hats and Sunscreen We are registered as a “Sunsmart School”. In the summer weather (Terms One and Four) we insist that students wear a wide brimmed Sun smart hat. Sunscreen should be applied prior to coming to school each day and should be reapplied during the day – with staff assistance if needed. If your child has an allergy to generic brands of sunscreen please send in an appropriate brand for us to use at school.

5. Mobile phones

Mobile phones are not permitted to be used at school. If students need to bring their phones to school, they are to be handed to a staff member on arrival and collected at the end of the school day.

6. Items of Value

Students are discouraged from bringing items of value to school such as iPods, cameras etc. If they need to be brought to school, they must be handed in at the office or to a staff member for safe keeping. It is not the responsibility of WDSS staff to ensure the safety of these items. Personal property remains the responsibility of parents/carer and students in terms of safe keeping. Many students bring iPads to school.

7. Head Lice If headlice is suspected, School Council approved staff will check all students in a class.

All parents/carers of that class will be notified by relevant forms. Students with head lice will be excluded from school until the day after treatment is completed.

8. Swimming

Students will be excluded from swimming activities if the status of their health does not comply with pool regulations. Swimming programs are conducted weekly in some rooms. Please ensure bathers, towel, goggles, pool sandals/thongs etc are supplied and clearly named. A separate, durable swimming bag must be provided.

Staff allocation for students with medical conditions including epilepsy and diabetes is on a 1:1 ratio whilst in the water.

9. Asthma/Epilepsy/Anaphylaxis Students with asthma, epilepsy or anaphylaxis must have a plan agreed and sent to the

school, in order to manage this for the student’s health. This must be updated by the doctor annually.

10. VCAL Canteen Notes are sent home on Friday for Canteen orders. If you would like to order a lunch

order for your child the order form and money are due on Wednesday mornings, with delivery for Friday lunch time.

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11. Breakfast Club This is available to all students on Monday and Friday mornings. 12. Koori Club

WDSS runs a Koorie engagement program that aims to enhance student engagement, cultural wellbeing and connection to their heritage. As a group and in consultation with our Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs) we decided on the name Jandra Koorie Club. The word Jandra means home base or camp in our local indigenous language. All students with Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander origins are invited to participate in 2-3 sessions per term. These sessions are held both on site and within the community. We invite both local elders, KESOs and our neighbouring state schools to participate.

SCHOOL RULES

Behavioural Expectations At WDSS strategies are developed and implemented in order to:

● provide an environment in which students feel safe, secure and ready to learn.

● foster in the school a positive and caring atmosphere which will encourage students to develop to their full potential.

● encourage regular school attendance.

● ensure students’ ownership of their behaviours and responsibility for their choices

● treat all individuals with respect and value them for themselves.

● eliminate discrimination based on cultural difference, social background or gender.

Positive School Wide Behaviour Program

1. WDSS is a Positive Behaviour School which encourages positive decision making for all students throughout the school and increases learning opportunities for all. Our motto; “Together we will make good choices” provides a focus for explicitly teaching students how to behave appropriately and consistently.

2. Our core values –

● Be a learner ● Be safe

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● Be respectful

3. Our Matrix (developed by staff and students) clearly states the school behavioural expectations so that everyone can learn in a safe, secure and supportive environment.

4. Positive reinforcements are a constant at our School. Student, class and whole school rewards are most easily identified by our Goldie’s system.

Students are awarded tokens when observed making good choices. Tallies are kept and students are given

weekly opportunities to trade them in for various goods and services. Class tallies are kept and term awards made. An honour board recognising students who have made over 100 good choices for the year is displayed in the front corridor.

Other such rewards as praise, notes/telephone calls to tell parent of positive choice making, privileges and recognition of achievements at assembly via Principal Awards, Student of the Week for each class awards and via Goldie’s celebrations.

5. Major and Minor Incidents Students who break school rules by making negative choices face a variety of consequences. Major incidents include such behaviours as serious things as assault, vandalism, theft, inappropriate

sexual conduct, possession/use of drugs and or alcohol and bullying.

These instances are referred to the Principal and an incident report generated, signed by the Principal and a copy sent home to the parents. Depending on the severity of the incidents the Principal may:

● Conduct a restorative conference in which students meet, discuss the incident, so the relationship can be repaired and that behaviours don’t reoccur.

● Ask parents to attend a meeting regarding their child’s behaviour. ● Ask that parents/carers collect their child from school if their behaviour is deemed to be

dangerous or extreme. ● Students may be suspended from attending school for a period of time if behaviours are

deemed to be dangerous or extreme. ● In consultation with the Regional Director and parents and following Departmental

guidelines, a student may be expelled from the school if;

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“the student’s behaviour is of such magnitude that having regard to the need of the student to receive an education compared to the welfare and safety of other students at the school and the need to maintain order and discipline within the school, a suspension is inadequate to deal with that behaviour.”

“Guidelines for Developing the Student Code of Conduct.”

Minor incidents include low level swearing, displays of affection, disrespect, some forms of low level aggression, disruptive behaviour, etc.

Staff complete incident reports for data analysis. Corrective strategies are then planned to assist in eliminating unwanted behaviour and to support individual students. Consequences for Minor Incidents can range from loss of privileges, time out and Goldie Freezes (where no Goldie’s will be issued to named students for a designated time), to the formation of a Restorative Conference to assist in positive remediation for involved students and staff.

UNIFORMS At WDSS school uniform is compulsory and it is expected that students wear their school uniform to school and on excursions and camps unless other arrangements are made. Students will wear suitable footwear to school – this excludes thongs, singlets (male or female), bikinis, low cut tops and T-Shirts with inappropriate writing. Students will be provided with a school polo shirt upon enrolment. They will be given a Senior student shirt upon entry to senior school. Uniforms are available at Steer Clothing Company Norton St, Wangaratta. Telephone: 03 5721 7773

Summer ● Polo shirt (short sleeve) – black – with school logo ● Shorts – black / grey ● Windcheater or jacket – black – with school logo ● Hat – black – bucket / broadbrim – with school logo

Winter ● Polo shirt (long sleeved) – black / grey – with school logo ● Polar fleece vest – black- black – with school logo ● Track suit – black ● Windcheater or jacket – black – with school logo ● Beanies – with school logo

Please label all items of clothing clearly. Lost clothing that is unnamed is not the responsibility of WDSS staff.

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EXCURSIONS AND CAMPS Your child’s education program involves regular group excursions. For more substantial excursions (greater than 50km or overnight) permission forms will be sent home outlining the venue, time, costs, etc. These should be signed and returned to school with payment as soon as possible before the date of the proposed excursion.

ESSENTIAL EDUCATIONAL ITEMS

There are a number of programs provided by the school that rely on non-government funds to operate. Associated costs for these programs include resources for bike education, cooking, swimming and swimming costs and class materials. This supplementary levy for materials and services is $100 per term. Parents and Carers will be invoiced for subject contributions each term. Levies may be paid directly to the office. Payment for the year is $400.00. EFTPOS facilities are now available for payments at the office. Parents/Carers are asked to pay for the swimming and cooking programs. Please note that additional costs of camps, major excursions and entrance fees will be requested from parents as necessary. It is planned that these extra costs will be kept to a minimum throughout the year. All monies sent to school must be in a sealed envelope clearly labelled with name, amount and purpose.

BIKE EDUCATION WDSS has a significant reputation for the excellence of its Bike Education Program. We aim, through our program with specially adapted bicycles, to involve almost all students in our Bike Education Program. Our staff are trained through the cycling safe program.

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INTEGRATION A number of students are dual enrolled and attend WDSS part time and attend a mainstream primary or secondary school part time. Time fractions are determined by individual needs in consultation with parents, staff and support personnel. If your child is attending a mainstream school, it is your responsibility to transport them to and from school. You must notify the school if your child will be absent on the allocated days. Once determined at an SSG meeting, days of attendance will not be varied e.g. if the student’s other school has a curriculum day, they do not attend WDSS.

SCHOOL COUNCIL School Council is a team whose purpose, above all, is to serve and promote the interest of the students. It is a corporate body of parents, principal, staff and community representatives who share the responsibility of making decisions about curriculum, finance, environment, facilities and community relations. Elections for School Council are held in March each year. Council meets at least eight times during the year. School Council consists of five Parent Representatives and three DEECD (including the principal) Representatives. Parents are encouraged to join School Council as this is an excellent way of learning about and contributing significantly to the school and affecting decisions about the educational direction the school might take. Ruth Crawford is the School Council President 0407 453 090.

WORKING BEES Working Bees will be conducted as required and parents are encouraged to attend. You will be informed via the newsletter.

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RESOURCE AGENCIES There are numerous agencies located in Wangaratta and the surrounding district that provide assistance to families who have a child with a disability. Location, phone numbers and contact persons are listed on publications available from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Wangaratta – Phone 03 57 220 555. Copies of “Through the Maze”, a resource book of support agencies for families, is available at the office. The school also has copies of literature and resource information that may be helpful to you. It is recommended that families become familiar with and avail themselves of these resource agencies.

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS It is the policy of WDSS Council not to have “whole of school” insurance. In any emergency or if a student is injured, the ‘Medical Action Plan” will be followed if applicable or appropriate steps will be taken i.e. first aid, attempting to contact parents or other emergency contacts and if necessary, calling an ambulance. Parents and guardians are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs. Most medical costs will be refundable by Medicare. If you are a member of an ambulance or health insurance fund, you may also be able to claim transport or other expenses from the fund. DEECD does not hold accident insurance for school students. Is other insurance cover available? Yes. The Department is aware of two insurers, JUA Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd and Willis Australia Ltd, (see below) that provide accident insurance policies for students. These policies provide specific benefits for students who are injured in accidents for a reasonably low cost. Other insurers may also do so.

JUA Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd Suite 807 Level 8/530 Little Collins St MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Willis Australia Ltd Level 10, 71 Queens Road MELBOURNE VIC 3004

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Phone: 03 9909 7480 Phone 03 9520 9784