Public schools and the NDIS video transcript
Cameron Osborne – Principal, Wauchope Public School
At Wauchope primary school we have a school population of 730 students. We have 32 students in our support unit and up to 30 students on the NDIS package in mainstream.
Teacher: “Say good morning to the teachers”
Students: “Good morning teachers”
Tracey Winfer – NSW Department of Education
The focus of the NDIS is to ensure that there’s individualised support packages and for them to access mainstream supports and also community participation
Gaylene Stainforth – Parent
I like how the NDIS gives me the power to implement what’s important and prioritise what needs to be put in place because as parents we know our child best
Tracey Winfer – NSW Department of Education
There’s certainly a strong alignment between the department of education’s strategic plan and of the NDIS which is to ensure that every student is known, valued and cared for and also an emphasis on personalised learning and support
Cameron Osborne – Principal, Wauchope Public School
Up to 10 students are receiving ongoing support from outside providers within our school setting and the children feel very comfortable for those providers to assist with their learning goals
Tracey Winfer – NSW Department of Education
NDIS supports are not intended to be delivered within the school setting however sometimes it is appropriate for that therapy to occur within the school setting
Cameron Osborne – Principal, Wauchope Public School
When a parent approaches our school we have a conversation with them whether an external provider can work in our school. Is it in the best needs of the student and does it align itself with those student’s goals.
Tracey Winfer – NSW Department of Education
Therapy must be clearly linked to the child’s educational outcomes and it cannot impact on the running of the whole school
James Arscott - Parent
I’ve got two boys here at the school I’ve got one in year two and my youngest is in kindergarten. Both boys are currently on plan packages physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and my eldest receives psychology services. The therapy sessions that we have are all outside the school we also have a key worker who acts as a conduit between the therapist and our family and the school
Meg Hillard - Parent
Timothy’s receiving OT, speech and psychology fortnightly and we’ve been very fortunate in that Tim has been able to receive therapies at school
Timothy: “So we just need 180..”
Meg Hillard – Parent
We linked Tim’s personalised learning support programme with Tim’s educational outcomes and goals with the NDIS plan
Gaylene Stainforth – Parent
My child Jayden currently receives physiotherapy, exercise physiology, speech pathology and occupational therapy at the school
Cameron Osborne – Principal, Wauchope Public School
I think the important thing for principals is that they need to develop systems and processes so that everyone knows exactly what is happening
James Arscott - Parent
The school themselves is excellent in terms of their communication with the family it puts you at ease knowing you’ve got some direction, that made you know a massive difference for us
Tracey Winfer – NSW Department of Education
A good NDIS plan enables a student to increase their attendance and also their engagement with school education
Cameron Osborne – Principal, Wauchope Public School
The end goal is to support the children and that’s what we’re all here for