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