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Ascot Vale Special School 1 Tasma Street Ascot Vale 3032 ascot.vale.ss@edumail.vic.gov.au Office: 9370 8906/9370 8931 www.ascotvaless.vic.edu.au VCAL: 9370 8911

BULLETIN

Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year and all the best for 2020!

I hope that you have a fantastic year and your child/children have a great year of learning and connection with the staff that are supporting them and with the school. The school will be working hard to deliver the best education to your child and the opportunity to be the best that they can be.

The smoke haze that has almost been a daily occurrence has given us a firsthand experience of the impact and the extent of the bushfires that are burning across our state and in other states of Australia. Many families have been impacted by these fires and thousands of animals have been lost or injured. The response from all over the world and from those of us that reside in Australia has been fantastic. It will take many years to recover but there is a growing realisation that our world is changing. Hopefully that realisation will bring changes that will make our world a better place to live.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome the families that have joined our school community by enrolling their son or daughter into the school for the 2020 school year. The staff will be working with you closely to ensure that there is a smooth and successful transition for your child into the school.

I encourage all parents and carers to have a voice in the school. We are ready to listen to your suggestions for improvement and any concerns that you may have. In doing this please ring to make an appointment with your class teacher initially and if you need to make an interview with the leadership team, please contact either Colin, Christine, Susanne or Robyn. Appointments can be made through the office or by email.

Parents and carers can engage with the school through the many avenues that are available to do so. School Council Elections will be held in February. In this week’s Bulletin there is information on the role of the school council, how you can nominate for the school council and the number of vacancies available.

AVSS is an excellent school with fantastic students, excellent facilities, great staff and a school community that is supportive and appreciative of the school. The school will continue to strive to deliver excellent programs and improve the facilities so that every student at AVSS has the best that we can offer in their learning and personal development.

I look forward to working with the staff and the school community to continue to develop the schools programs and facilities so that every student has the best opportunity to succeed in their learning and are well prepared to move into their post schooling option.

Student Support Group Meetings: Week 3

As indicated at the end of last year, SSG Meetings will be held in week 3 of this term. Parents will need to book a time for their SSG meeting through Compass. This early SSG meeting will replace the “Meet the Teacher Evening” and will provide parents and carers with an opportunity to identify one or two priority learning goals in your child’s learning plan. Please make sure that you take up this important opportunity to have this discussion with your child’s teacher.

THURSDAY, 6 February 2020

10-14 February SSG Week 10 February Notice of School Council Elections 12 February School lunch begins 17 February Closing date for School Council nominations 18 February School Council 24 February 3.30pm Post-School Pathway Info Session 2 March Close of School Council Ballot 9 March Labour Day Public Holiday 16 March School Photos 27 March End of Term 1 14 April Start Term 2 Courtyard Café Monday & Thursday morning recess 11.00am—11.30am

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Parents and carers are reminded that Student Support Group Meetings are now open

for you to book an appointment.

These meetings give you an opportunity to catch up with your child’s teacher

and can be conducted in person, via phone or by a video call.

At this meeting you will have an opportunity to have input into your child’s

Individual Learning Plan. Please book your SSG through the Compass Portal,

you can message your classroom teacher through Seesaw if you are

having problems and we look forward to seeing you all next week.

New Staff

I would like to welcome to the school the following staff that are joining the Ascot Vale Special School team. Please do not hesitate to introduce yourself to these staff if the opportunity arises.

Emma Green: Occupational Therapist: Monday-Friday Jane Kingsley: Education Support Senior Secondary: Wednesday and Thursday Katrina Dent: Classroom Teacher: Room 7 Kate Close: Education Support: Room 13 Kim Mancuso: Education Support: Room 7 Laetitia Ngomba: Education Support: Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Megan Retallick: Learning Specialist/ Classroom Teacher: Room 7 Merryn Brown: Education Support: Primary Learning Centre: Monday and Tuesday Room 1

I would also like to welcome back Steve Webb who is returning from Long Service Leave. Steve will be working Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Room 14.

School Name Change: Formal Consultation Period

The school received notification on the last day of the school year from the Regional Director that the school was able to move into the formal consultation stage regarding the school’s intent to change the name of the school to Ascot Vale Heights School. The name change was supported by the school community. If you have an objection to this name change, can you put this in writing to me by Friday, 28th February or if you would like to discuss this fur-ther with me please feel free to call me on 03 9370 8931.

Compulsory School Uniform

The school has now entered into the last year of the transition stage for students from Foundation to Year 10 in the school for the introduction of a school uniform. Parents and carers can obtain the school uniform from the school office or purchase the uniform items from stores such as Kmart and Target, etc. and if taking up this option, it is essential that you get the school colours of the uniform correct. Please check at the office for the colours of the school uniform before buying any items.

To all the students, welcome back! We are excited to have you back at school, and we hope that you have the best year in your learning and work at school. I encourage each of you to be the best you can be and if you need assis-tance always ask a staff member for help as we are there for you.

On the next page there are some great snapshots of our students on their return to school and I am pleased to re-port that they are excited to be back at school.

Cheers Colin and staff at Ascot Vale Special School.

ASCOT VALE SPECIAL SCHOOL NEEDS YOU!

Have you ever considered joining School Council?

Have your say in how the school operates and is run?

Call me on 9370 8906 if you’d like to have a chat about

joining school council.

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Week 1

Hot:

Wipe forehead with domi-

nant index finger crooked,

hand opening as it is flung

away from forehead

*Natural gesture

Key Word Sign of the Week

Key word sign is a strategy used to encourage language in children and adults with communication

difficulties (speech and language delays). Unlike sign language, short, clear sentences are spoken and

the main or key words are signed at the same time. Additional information is given through the use of

facial expression and natural gesture. The idea is that using hand signs can help support people with

communication delays and eliminate communication breakdown. This includes children with a diagnosis

of autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome.

Natalliya Sertic & Getty Hamidi, AVSS Speech Pathologists

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First week of 2020 for Room 3! Room 3 Foundation and Grade 1 students are enjoying their first few days of school, we are excited about being back in the classroom!

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Room 1 students’ first week back at school

The students have had a great first week back. They have become familiar with their

new classroom, new teachers, as well as some new friends and the routine.

We are looking forward to a wonderful term with lots of new learning and fun!

Tina, Anita, Paddy & Merryn

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ASCOT VALE SPECIAL SCHOOL

School Council Elections 2020

What is a school council and what does it do?

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally formed bodies that

are given powers to set the key directions of a school within centrally provided guidelines.

In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school

provides for its students.

Who is on the school council?

There are three possible categories of membership:

A mandated elected Parent category. More than one third of the total members must be from

this category. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DET) employees can

be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not employed at the school.

A mandated elected DET employee category. Members of this category may make up no

more than one third of the total membership of school council. The principal of the school is

automatically one of these members.

An optional Community member category. Its members are appointed by a decision of the

council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. DET employees are not eligible

to be Community members.

The term of office for all members is two years. Half the members must retire each year, creating

vacancies for the annual school council elections.

Why is Parent membership so important?

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help

shape the direction of the school.

Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying in itself

and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

How can you become involved?

The most obvious way is to vote in the elections, which are held in Term 1 each year. However,

ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant.

In view of this, you might seriously consider

standing for election as a member of the school council

encouraging another person to stand for election.

Do I need special experience to be on school council?

No. What you do need is an interest in your child’s school and the desire to work in partnership

with others to help shape the school’s future.

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What do you need to do to stand for election?

The principal will issue a notice and call for nominations following the commencement of Term 1

each year. All school council elections must be completed by the end of March.

If you decide to stand for election, you can arrange for someone to nominate you as a candidate

or you can nominate yourself in the Parent category. Forms are available from the office.

DET employees whose child is enrolled in a school in which they are not employed are eligible

to nominate as parents for the school council where their child is enrolled.

Once the nomination form is completed, return it to the principal within the time stated on the

notice of election. You will receive a Nomination Form Receipt in the mail following the receipt of

your completed nomination.

If there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, a ballot will be con-

ducted during the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed.

Remember

Ask at the school for help if you would like to stand for election and are not sure what to do Consider standing for election to council this year Be sure to vote in the elections.

Contact Colin Schot on 9370 8609

or schot.colin.h@edumail.vic.gov.au for further information.

Nomination forms are available from the general office

School Council Vacant Positions Available

Department of Education Employee category (2) x 2 years and (1) x 1 year

Parent category (4) x 2 years

Co-opted member (2) x 2 years

Timeline for Ascot Vale Special School Council Elections

1 Notice of election and call for nominations Monday, 10th February 2020

2 Closing date for nominations Monday, 17th February 2020

3 Date by which the list of candidates and nominators

will be displayed

Wednesday, 19th February 2020

4 Date by which ballot papers will be prepared

and distributed

Monday, 24th February 2020

5 Close of ballot Monday, 2nd March 2020

6 Vote count Tuesday, 3rd March 2020

7 Declaration of ballot Wednesday, 4th March 2020

8 First Council meeting to co-opt Community members

(Principal will preside)

Tuesday, 17th March 2020

9 Second Council meeting to elect office bearers

(Principal will preside)

Tuesday, 17th March 2020

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SECONDARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT PRIVACY COLLECTION STATEMENT Privacy information for Parents and Carers

During the ordinary course of your child’s attendance at our school, school staff will collect your child’s personal and health information when necessary to educate your child, or to support your child’s social and emotional wellbeing or health. Such information will also be collected when required to fulfil a legal obligation, including duty of care, anti-discrimination law and occupational health and safety law. If that information is not collected, the school may be unable to provide optimal education or support to your child, or fulfil those legal obligations. For example, health information may be collected through the school nurse, primary welfare officer or wellbeing staff member. If your child is referred to a specific health service at school, such as a Student Support Service officer, or school-engaged psychologist, the required consent will be obtained. Our school may use online tools, such as apps and other software, to effectively collect and manage information about your child for teaching and learning purposes, parent communication and engagement; student administration; and school management purposes. When our school uses these online tools, we takes steps to ensure that your child’s information is secure. If you have any concerns about the use of these online tools, please contact us. School staff will only share your child’s personal or health information with other staff who need to know to enable the school to educate or support your child, or fulfil a legal obligation. When our students transfer to another Victorian government school, personal and health information about that student will be transferred to that next school. Transferring this information is in the best interests of our students and assists that next school to provide optimal education and support to students. In some limited circumstances, information may be disclosed outside of the school (and outside of the Department of Education and Training). The school will seek your consent for such disclosures unless the disclosure allowed or mandated by law. Our school values the privacy of every person. When collecting and managing personal and health information, all school staff must comply with Victorian privacy law. For more information about privacy including about how to access personal and health information held by the school about you or your child, see our school’s privacy policy: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx Throughout this notice, ‘staff’ includes principals, teachers, Student Support Service officers, youth workers, social workers, nurses and any other allied health practitioners and all other staff at our school. This includes employees, agents and service providers (contractors) of the Department, whether paid or unpaid.

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PRIMARY SCHOOL PRIVACY INFORMATION for Parents and Carers

During the ordinary course of your child’s attendance at our school, school staff will collect your child’s personal and health information when necessary to educate your child, or to support your child’s social and emotional wellbeing or health in the school context. Such information will also be collected when required to fulfil a legal obligation, including duty of care, anti-discrimination law and occupational health and safety law. If that information is not collected, the school may be unable to provide optimal education or support to your child, or fulfil those legal obligations. For example, health information may be collected through the school nurse, primary welfare officer or wellbeing staff member. If your child is referred to a specific health service at school, such as a Student Support Services officer, the required consent will be obtained. Our school also collects information provided by parents and carers through the School Entrance Health Questionnaire (SEHQ) and the Early Childhood Intervention Service (ECIS) Transition Form. Our school may use online tools, such as apps and other software, to effectively collect and manage information about your child for teaching and learning purposes, parent communication and engagement; student administration; and school management purposes. When our school uses these online tools, we take steps to ensure that your child’s information is secure. If you have any concerns about the use of these online tools, please contact us. School staff will only share your child’s personal or health information with other staff who need to know to enable the school to educate or support your child, or fulfil a legal obligation. When our students transfer to another Victorian government school, personal and health information about that student will be transferred to that next school. Transferring this information is in the best interests of our students and assists that next school to provide optimal education and support to students. In some limited circumstances, information may be disclosed outside of the school (and outside of the Department of Education and Training). The school will seek your consent for such disclosures unless the disclosure is allowed or mandated by law. Our school values the privacy of every person. When collecting and managing personal and health information, all school staff must comply with Victorian privacy law. For more information about privacy including about how to access personal and health information held by the school about you or your child, see our school’s privacy policy: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx Throughout this notice, ‘staff’ includes principals, teachers, Student Support Service officers, youth workers, social workers, nurses and any other allied health practitioners and all other staff at our school. This includes employees, agents and service providers (contractors) of the Department, whether paid or unpaid.

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Student Information Forms will be distributed shortly

Please remember to review, amend and return the forms promptly and return the forms even if there are NO amendments.

Thanks, Tanya

HAVE THEY GROWN OVER THE

SUMMER BREAK ? Then it’s time for a new uniform!

Call Tanya or Nichole on 9370 8906 with your

order or email your order to

Ascot.vale.ss@edumail.vic.gov.au

To the Platfuss, Standke-Jain, Pratrzalek, Curwood, Maccabean and Holderhead families for watering the AVSS garden

over the summer break.

Lunch Orders begin Wednesday, 12 February

2020. On the menu for Term 1 is Zia

Opansinis’ delicious jacket potatoes and

coleslaw. Yum … Yum … YUM ...!

Hi, I’m Kat Dent. I am teaching in Room 5 this year. I’ve taught in both mainstream and special schools across London and Melbourne. I’m looking forward to working at Ascot Vale SS this year, and helping students to reach their full potential! In my spare time, I enjoy reading, baking and spending time with friends and family. I am also a keen traveller, and enjoy exploring different countries and cultures. I’m excited for a fun filled year of learning, and working with everyone in the Ascot Vale SS Community :)

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Every student, every day to be given the opportunity to be the best they can be.

Our Courtyard Café will be open for

business on a Monday and Thursday, so

pop in for a cuppa, we’d love to see you!