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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-10-29 Daily Xml
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Modbury Special School

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (17:57): Excellence in education happens every day at Modbury Special School and all schools throughout Florey and this great state. In the lead-up to International Teachers Day, I want to speak about the importance of great teachers and how lucky we are to have dedicated teachers in our schools in South Australia. Each year for the past four years the Department for Education has promoted an Excellence in Public Education Awards scheme. This year, 64 finalists, short-listed from 96 first stage winners, who were selected from 1,900 nominations from all around South Australia, were announced in August prior to the gala presentation dinner held at the National Wine Centre on 29 September.

Apart from the significant acknowledgement of excellence in their profession, finalists receive $500 towards professional development and the winners receive an additional $10,000 for further development for themselves and others in their particular school or field. The 2014 winners include: the School/Preschool Leader of the Year is Lyn Bretag from Renmark Primary School; the Secondary School Teacher of the Year is Ben Heathcote from Mt Gambier High School; the Early Years Teacher of the Year is Katie Taylor from Lobethal Community Kindergarten; the Teachers' Health Fund Early Career Teacher of the Year is Sam Moyle from Brighton Secondary School, and her interest is the important discipline of science; the School/Preschool Support Staff Member of the Year is Tanya Parker from Roxby Downs Kindergarten; and most important for me is the Primary School Teacher of the Year Swati Phatak from Modbury Special School, which is an outstanding facility in the electorate of Florey, arguably one of the best centres in the country. In the citation we are advised, and I quote:

Swati demonstrates her commitment to ongoing learning through the attainment of extensive educational qualifications including a double Bachelors degree (Science and Education), a double Masters Degree (Education and Special Education), and her current work towards a Ph.D.

Her understanding of student learning empowers her to differentiate the curriculum, teaching strategies, assessment and reporting to suit individual needs. Swati has developed productive and inclusive learning environments across Modbury Special School by reviewing and utilising innovative strategies to support inclusion and student engagement. In 2013 Swati was selected to represent DECD at the Special Educators as Leaders and Learners (SELL) conference in Malaysia. At the four-day conference she delivered professional training about working with students with autism spectrum disorder to more than 170 participants.

At Modbury Special School the educational program is in accordance with the DECD South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability Framework. Communication, self and social development, design and technology, understanding diversity, understanding our world, arts and creativity, and health and physical development are the initial learning areas. These are followed by English, mathematics, science, design and technology, arts, society and environment, and health and physical education.

The curriculum is planned in accordance with the Disability Standards for Education 2005. The Australian curriculum is used to meet the learning needs of all students. Appropriate educational, instructional and environmental adjustments are made to support each child. Modbury Special School reports against personalised learning goals developed during each child's negotiated education plan meeting.

At Modbury Special School we recognise that each student has individual needs and abilities. In every classroom the learning environment and curriculum are personalised to suit the individual student. Incorporating explicit sensory processing and communication strategies to support students to effectively engage in the curriculum is a major focus. Each unit looks and operates quite distinctly from the others as the staff plan to meet the needs of the students. Teaching staff are supported by strong parent involvement, especially on the governing council, and there are some great fundraising activities supporting school activities.

In my time as a state MP I have watched Modbury Special School become a centre of learning excellence through the endeavours of principals such as Julie Aschberger and Cam Wright and their staff. I am so very proud of the achievements of the school and those of the students who have passed through it and gone on to learn at other facilities and, in some cases, gain employment. Each year there is a special ceremony and dinner to mark the graduation of students to this next phase of their lives, and it has been my honour to provide awards and to be present at the awards night to mark the achievements of students in front of their proud families who also deserve a special mention for their years of support for their children.

The Modbury Kiwanis, led by current president, Graham Brown, and secretary, Bob Culshaw, have become a special partner to the school, and through the help of International Cycles owned by Julie Caust (a parent and leader at the nearby Modbury High School) and her husband supplying parts, the bikes at the Modbury Special School remain operational for students. These repairs can sometimes be very difficult—and they happen regularly—and I am very grateful for the assistance of the Kiwanis in this part of the school's activities. It has also had support from parents and the wider school community of the nearby Modbury South Primary School.

The school has had its fair share of adversity. Some years ago a fire presented special challenges which were overcome in much the same way as all difficulties are challenged at this special place of learning. The Modbury Special School has worked diligently to maintain high standards and deserves every accolade. Autism is one area of particular focus for the Modbury Special School, and I look forward to discussing with them a recent USA study that I have read about in The Advertiser which has found that broccoli contains a chemical which may assist in helping children with autism.

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