Policies
External Helplines
Beyond Blue Covid-19 Helpline 1800 512 348
Reach Out is an online platform and their website is: https://au.reachout.com/
Lifeline 13 11 14
Links to policy below;
Department of Education and Training Victoria Schools’ Privacy Policy
Head to the Our School tab for the Statement of Values and School Philosophy Policy
Head to the Students tab for further detail about our Commitment to Child Safety and the following 3 policies;
Child Safe Standards Policy [commitment and code of conduct] and
Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy [including Mandatory Reporting] and
Enrolment
Links to overview documents and PSD information;
Application Process PSD ASD 2020
Important Steps and Calendar for prospective parents 2020
Western Autistic School Parent Handbook 2020 [*subject to change]
This website will assist you in finding your 2020 local goverment school https://www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au
Further information about the Program for Students with Disabilities [PSD] can be found on the DET's website.
For tour/open days please contact the Laverton campus to talk to someone in enrolments, they can add your information to the database for future students in the year your child will start school and communicate when things will be happening after knowing a little bit more about your child and their age [they will also ask some screening questions to determine if you should progress down the track of apply for PSD – ASD funding with Western Autistic School as a preference].
Learning from home
6 June 2020 update
The period of remote learning at home has shone a light on the importance of the child at the centre of learning programs. We have seen the ability of our school to build a program around the needs of each child in collaboration with parents.
The Home Learning Program at WAS has reinforced our connection as a school community. We want to build on this. To help map the future of parent-school collaboration we have designed a Parent Survey. This will be emailed to families next week. Your feedback will help us re-focus our new strategic plan and help us build in what we have learnt over the past nine weeks.
26 May update
Today all students who attend special schools return to the classroom. All students are expected to attend school as normal.
Of course, the high importance and value our school places on the partnership between home and school does not change. If anything, this partnership has been made stronger since Covid-19, and we want to build on the momentum that has been built between teachers, parents and students during remote teaching and learning. A survey will soon be sent to all families that will ask your opinions on how best to to that.
Stage 2 of our school’s Learning from Home program links each child’s foundation individual learning goals with the learning level of the Victorian Curriculum in English, Math and Personal and Social Capability.
Teachers are beginning to roll out resources for stage 2 of the home learning program and parents will be notified shortly when these resources are available for your children if you have not been notified already.
Parents will also have received information regarding the initial WebEx video conferencing protocol for meetings with your child/ren’s teaching team. This information included instructions for how to set up WebEx at home, and an opt-out form for any families who don’t want to participate preferring phone calls and emails. We know that families and staff are very excited to use the video conferencing platform for parent – teacher meetings. Teachers will continue to build on the opportunities made possible with video conferencing in the coming weeks.
At stage 2 we also hope to make available an option for peer to peer connection through audio or email messaging.
10th April update
Work is also underway to identify students who do not have access to digital technologies at home. Devices such as laptops and tablets will be made available on loan to these students free-of-charge to ensure no student misses out.
Most of our teachers will also be working from home. All of them have been working hard to put curriculum plans in place to ensure continuity of learning and to support the wellbeing of all our students.
All parents and carers will be contacted by phone on Wednesday the 15th April. Your child's teaching team will set up a phone conference with families to discuss the family’s needs, the individualised plan for learning at home and the resources required for home education.
