Students requiring special support in order to achieve age appropriate academic outcomes are provided with small group teacher's aide or part time special class placement. Special class placement provides intensive instruction in a class of six to ten students. Students who are in receipt of integration funding are immediately eligible for placement in this class. Additional places are available for other students who would benefit from this support. Applications need to be made to the principal. The school's provision of special class support is reviewed yearly in order to best meet the changing needs of the student population.
A School Counselor is available at the school one day per week. The counselor is available to interview students, provide advice for parents and conduct special testing as required.
As a member of the state education system the school has access to a wide range of state and area based resources providing support for students with special needs. Details of this support is available from the school.
Reading Recovery is available for Year 1 students experiencing challenges in the mastery of basic reading skills. This program is funded from the generous support of the parent community. The school's Learning Support Team is responsible for placing students in the program. Students are initially recommended from their class teacher. Mrs Carmela Strain is our Reading Recovery teacher for 2008.
To support students who are identified as academically gifted the school has extension classes for each grade. There are three stage based classes viz 1/2 3/4 5/6 plus a Kindergarten class. Information on enrolment in these classes can be gained by contacting the principal.
Anti-Bullying Policy 2008
Background
The school has established Pupil Welfare and Discipline Policy which was developed by a parent staff committee in 2006. It was determined in 2008 to develop a separate policy that specifically focussed on anti-bullying. A committee of teachers and parents was established to develop, write and plan the implementation of the new policy. A survey of parents, staff and students was conducted as a basis for development of the new policy. The policy was launched to parents and students in October, 2008.
Rationale
The policy is based around a school mascot "Captain Seaforth". Captain Seaforth says: " no to bullies " and states " If you bully at school you are breaking a rule" . These statements form the basic understanding of the policy. At Seaforth School we have a zero tolerance to bullies.
Policy Strategy
Students are required to report all incidents of bullying. In order to develop students accepting of individual responsibility the onuses is on the student being bullied to report the incident. All teachers on playground duty have copies of the bullying reporting pro-forma with them in the playground. If a student wishes to report bullying they take a pro-forma, complete it and place it in the "Captain Seaforth Anti Bullying Box" outside the office. A member of the executive collects the forms and speaks individually to the child reporting the bullying. This meeting is held within two days of the report being placed in the box. The executive member then follows up the incident in an appropriate manner using the established Discipline and Pupil Welfare Policy. The student reporting the bullying is told of the outcome and the consequences for the bully. The victim is required to sign off on the report and its subsequent consequences. Parents are notified as is deemed appropriate by the executive member. Parents may choose to request notification of any incident involving their child.
The school principal will take the role of the executive member receiving and undertaking the follow up of reports for one term for each section of the school. This will enable the principal to be directly involved in the process.
In dealing with the incidents the principles of "Restorative Justice" are implemented. The "Captain Seaforth" mascot is used to regularly remind the students of the school's zero tolerance of bullying.
Evaluation
A further survey of parents, staff and students will be conducted in June 2009. This will be used as an instrument to assess the effectiveness of the new policy. Executive staff will evaluate the procedures at the end of term 1, 2009.
Copyright © 2004 Seaforth Public School. A NSW Government School.
