27 March 2024
Principal
One of the challenges we face at the moment is accommodating therapy consultations during the school day. Please contact the phase line managers if your child’s therapy needs have not yet been sorted out. Early years – Susan Moran, Primary – Simon Hume, Secondary - Heath Bradley and Satellite Classes – Cassie Camacho.
We have just been informed about the Premier, Hon Roger Cook’s WA Student Assistance Payment (WASAP) which will provide a cost-of-living payment for every student. More information will be made available from 2 April and parents will be able to submit claims from Monday 15th April to Friday 28th April. Information is available at wa.gov.au/servicewaapp
We wish you all an enjoyable break. See you back at school again on Tuesday 16th April.
Kind Regards,
Linda Lane
Principal
Early Years News
Hello Parents and Carers,
Our students in Early Years have had an amazing first term, with many transitioning to school for the first time, and utilising new rooms and areas of the school. A big thank you to all parents, carers and therapists who have assisted student transitioning to school this year.
Teachers have met with many parents, carers and therapists this term and are finalising each students Individual Education Plan. These will be sent home at the end of this week.
Rooms 4 and 16 presented a very entertaining assembly. Thank you to the classroom staff who assisted the children to put together such lively items. It was lovely to see so many parents and carers attend to support their children. A reminder that we will be creating Easter hats and having an Easter egg hunt with the students the last day of term.
Wishing all our families a happy and safe holiday, enjoy the Easter break.
Kind Regards,
Susan Moran
Deputy Principal
Primary News
Dear Parents and Carers,
I can’t believe it is the end of Term 1 already! This term has flown by with lots of learning and excitement happening in the Primary Phase.
Your child’s Individual Education Plan will be sent home by the end of the term. If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch with your child’s teacher.
The school has new procedures around students riding bikes at school. A note will be going home to confirm your choice for your child to participate in bike riding at recess, lunch or part of a school program. School staff will carry out bicycle safety inspections, ensure children wear a helmet and shoes, and there will be staff on duty to supervise and support the students while riding bikes. If you have any queries about this, please contact the school office.
Jacqueline and Tauri have coordinated a fantastic display board for our Primary Phase! It’s very creative and showcases our wonderful students and classes.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our primary community for their support this term, and all the best for the upcoming holiday period. We look forward to the commencement of Term 2.
Kind Regards,
Simon Hume
Deputy Principal
Satellite News
Dear families,
What a busy term we have had!
A highlight for some students were the swimming lessons at Bayswater Waves. All the staff were very proud of these students. They all listened well to teachers and the swim staff and were very eager and excited to learn new swimming skills. Next term, the other students in the Satellite classes will have an exciting opportunity to participate in swimming lessons once a week at Durham Road School for the term. Parents, please sign and send back the consent forms.
This term all students have also enjoyed participating in a four-week soccer clinic on the oval run by Football Futures Foundation. For some of our students, this was the first time on the oval with their class. It was a good opportunity to practice safety skills, such as staying with the class and listening to their teachers.
Your child’s Individual Education Plan will be sent home by the end of term. If you have any questions please contact your child’s teacher, or speak to them before or after school.
To all families, thank you for a successful term one. please have a safe and relaxing Easter break.
We will see you back Tuesday 16th of April.
Kind regards,
Cassie Camacho
Programme Coordinator
Secondary News
Secondary recently had its first assembly and what an event it was. A massive congratulations to Rooms 23, 25, and 26 for a fantastic glimpse inside the class and the amazing programs being undertaken. It was a wonderful morning, and it was great to see so many parents and smiling students.
On Tuesday the 19th we also had a NDIS Parent Information session conducted by a support person from Mission Australia. The session provided attending parents with some great pointers, and we are hoping to make this a regular feature to help you navigate the NDIS pathways. If you would like a bit more, please contact Lisa Burgess, the secondary Family Liaison Officer who can point you in the right direction.
A group of students also recently attended the Kalability Cricket Carnival. We had a great deal of fun, and the students played the game in the best possible spirit. It takes a lot to be involved, but sports carnivals are a lot of fun and the students represented Durham Road School beautifully. A big thanks to Montel for organising!
Kind regards,
Heath Bradley
Deputy Principal
My New Gallery
Early Years Learning Centre
It has been wonderful to see the Kindergarten and Pre-Primary students settle into their school routine. Early Years Learning Centre have been exploring the term theme of ‘All About Me’. The students enjoyed creating self-portraits using various materials by following a visual schedule. In Science, students enjoyed making a bubble mixture and learning to blow bubbles which was a class favourite. It was hands-on, playful and encouraged curiosity about the world around them. We wish all the students, families and staff a wonderful break over the school holidays and a Happy Easter!
Room 4
The students and staff have had a wonderful time getting to know each other over the past few weeks. We have had lots of fun exploring new toys and sensory activities
Room 18
During our numeracy sessions this term, we have been using Bee-bots to learn about directional language such as forwards, backwards, left and right. Students have enjoyed following instructional cards, pathways, maps and making their own rotations. It has been a fun way to incorporate digital technologies and mathematics in our lessons, and we have loved observing students following directions independently and telling us to go “this way” and “that way” using signing and verbal approximation to communicate directions. Keep up the great work everyone!
Room 19
Greetings Durham Road community members,
Room 19 has kicked off 2024 with a flurry of activity! We’re diving into the world of letters, numbers, living organisms, and road safety awareness. Our artistic endeavours are centred around mastering the technique of line, resulting in stunning creations. Technology holds a special place in our hearts with weekly adventures in building structures, transportation models and more using Lego and similar construction materials.
Wishing all families, a holiday break filled with safety and fun, and eagerly anticipating our return next term!
Room 20
Term 1 has been an extremely busy one for Room 20. Our weekly Art lessons have been packed with colours and shapes and we have created some wonderful masterpieces. In science, we have been learning about natural disasters, so we have made our own volcano out of paper mache which will be erupting in Week 9! We have also been learning about where our food comes from, and how to make food safely and hygienically. One of the highlights for this term has been inviting Room 18 to our room to help us make fairy bread, which everyone (including staff) seemed to enjoy very much!
Room 21
Hello from Room 21!
We have all had a fantastic start to the new year and have settled into the classroom amazingly.
Here are some photos from our HASS lesson where we have been learning about different cultures. Shelia brought in an array of souvenirs, including money and different cooking ingredients from Seychelles, she shared some traditional music with the class and led a dance lesson. She cooked a noodle dish which everyone enjoyed. It was great to see the students engage with objects that were unfamiliar to them.
Have a wonderful term break!
Room 22
As the students of Room 22 immerse themselves in their weekly routines of learning, therapy sessions, playtime, and socializing, the classroom is often a bustling hive of activity and discovery.
In our HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences) lessons, we've embarked on an exciting journey into the realm of community helpers. Special guest speakers, Sarah our First Aid Officer, Tanya our Swimming Teacher, Sian our Librarian, and Linda our Principal, have graced our classroom with their presence, sharing insights into their valuable roles within our community. Through their stories, experiences and special equipment, our students have explored why these jobs are so important in supporting our wellbeing and safety at school.
Meanwhile, in our science explorations, we've delved into the fascinating world of living things and their habitats. Our classroom has two new inhabitants: Spiky and Spiny, our spiny leaf insects. Initially met with gasps, fear and disgust, the students told us in no uncertain terms that they did not like them! With scared faces and bodies, the shrieks and comments came thick and fast - ‘get away’, ‘yuck’, ‘gross’ and ‘do something else’! Now at the end of term, I’m relieved to report our charming creature friends are slowly capturing the hearts of our students, who are happy to observe and interact with them from a closer distance.
Room 23
Our students have made progress and have engaged with all learning areas this term. Incorporating ASDAN sessions into our daily work has made our music sessions, in particular, fun and enjoyable. Students have created music using different mediums which include instruments, body percussion and voices.
We have been exploring concepts of ‘more’ and ‘shapes’ in Mathematics. In Literacy sessions we have covered Shared Reading, Predictable Chart Writing and have made a class book weekly with all students sentences and chosen photos. Everyone has settled into a good work routine, and we all hope you have a fantastic holiday break.
Room 24
Room 24 have had a great start to the year. Education programs are in full swing. Some of our Year 12 students have begun their work experience and have settled in well. We have enjoyed our weekly class excursions based around “ASDAN: Out in the Community” and look forward to even more outings next term. We welcomed Kaylee into our class who has been a great addition and Tyler turned 15! We are looking forward to our excursion to the movies on the last week of school. We hope everyone has a happy and restful holiday and comes back ready for Term 2.
Room 28
Room 28 has started the year with many exciting learning opportunities. One of these is our weekly community access program to Zone Bowling. Skills we are learning include social behaviours, staying with our friends, engaging in a leisure activity and transport training.
Below are some pictures of our excursion.
Room 29
2024 is taking shape as Room 29 knuckle down into some learning. The Room 29 students are taking Science lessons and learning the art of separation. Music is happening with the boys listening to and playing a variety of instruments and choosing their favourite. Of course, cooking is always a crowd favourite in Room 29 as the boys explore some culinary delights.
Satellite 3
Satellite 3 have had a productive start to the year. We have been busy learning our core subjects, as well as learning about life cycles in Science and communities in HASS. Our students have also been growing bean sprouts and observing the different stages of their life cycle.
Satellite 3 have been taking swimming lessons at Bayswater Waves. The students have been working hard everyday and having fun learning new swimming and survival techniques.
Satellite 4
Satellite 4 has had a very busy start to the school year. We had a combined assembly with the Embleton Primary Year 6 class in Week 5. The theme of the assembly was “The Trolls” and the students performed a dance. In the run up to the assembly, everyone had great fun practising their dance moves. On the day the students put on a fantastic performance.
Our class also participated in weekly soccer sessions this term. All student were happy to practice their dribbling techniques and have shots at goal.
Art
Kaya Wanjoo,
We have had a busy first term in Art. We have been focusing on ‘the face’ and students have been making ceramic masks, facial printing templates and mask designs. I have enjoyed watching students develop their skills and attempt all rotations.
Once again, we have the lovely Elanore Dawson volunteering her time to teach sewing. The students who have been selected for the sewing program are already making goods for the Mother’s Day stall, which will be later in the year.
Thank you to all the staff on our team. I’m looking forward to seeing what we achieve in The Arts this year.
Workplace learning
Planning for the future can be a time-consuming and difficult enterprise that must be planned for well in advance of students leaving school. The main options available to our students at the end of year 12 are:
Alternatives to Employment (ATE): ATE includes activities such as 1:1 excursions with a carer and group activities such as bowling or cooking. Most of our students will take part in ATE on a part time basis. For some this will be in addition to part-time employment. For many this will be their only focus. Being involved in group activities is usually less expensive than 1:1 support meaning less NDIS funding is required.
Micro-enterprise: A micro-enterprise is a small business that is set up using the student’s NDIS funding. It requires a significant commitment from the families to set up and run a micro-enterprise business. Past Durham Road students have micro-enterprise businesses including lawn mowing, cup-cake making and stained glass crafts sold at market stalls.
Employment: Some of our students will gain employment in supported environments or open employment. To be eligible for employment students need to be reliable workers when supervised on a 1:14 ratio. They need to be able to maintain their own hygiene, communicate their needs and interact appropriately with co-workers and staff. Most students who gain employment will do so for a maximum of three days per week. They require funding in their NDIS package to facilitate employment and often to assist with additional initial support as well as transport.
TAFE/further studies: Some of our students take part in Certificate courses at Durham Road School and other nearby schools. Some of these students may be interested in taking part in further studies at TAFE or in the local community. Most students will need additional assistance to complete the course and as the path into TAFE can be complicated, it’s necessary to investigate this well in advance of leaving school.
At Durham Road School we want to assist parents in planning for their children’s future through transition meetings, parent information events and individualised support. On Tuesday 19th March we hosted an NDIS information morning for parents of Secondary students and in the future we are considering a “Future Pathways” event. If you are interested in receiving updates on our Future Pathways event, please do let us know by emailing the school at durhamroad@education.wa.edu.au or writing in your child’s communication book.
Family Liaison Officers
Lisa and I are available every day if you need any type of support, that is helping to fill out forms or help to navigate the NDIS, we also sit with you at your child's IEP meeting if you would like us to.
We also provide a breakfast club for those families that might benefit from some extra support, this could be as simple as time management in the mornings. Please let us know and we supply breakfast for your child.
We would like to give all our new families a big welcome to Durham Road and we are looking forward to meeting and helping you in any way we can.
Our contact details are PH: 9238 0900.
Kerry Potter & Lisa Burgess
First Aid Corner
With Autumn weather comes cold and flu season. Thank you so much to all the families who keep their children home when they are sick. As you know our class numbers are small and the students spend a lot of time in proximity of one another so viruses can spread quickly. Please continue to keep your child home if they are unwell.
We are currently transitioning to Department of Education health paperwork. If you have had documents sent home regarding your child’s health, please complete them promptly and return to school. If you require any support, please do not hesitate to contact me on 9238 0900.
WA Student Assistance Payment
Get ready to claim the WA Student Assistance Payment.
The ServiceWA app is the fastest and most convenient way to claim the payment.
Download the latest version of the ServiceWA app and log in with your Digital Identity (myGovID) so you're ready to apply for the offer from 15 April 2024.
Apple Store:
Google Play:
For app support, head to the link below.