FROM THE PRINCIPAL

All students and staff have settled back into routine and are enjoying

the structure of school. It has been very pleasing to see students

completing their work schedules and being so engaged in learning.

This week the entry students start full time.

STEAM Building – Reservoir Campus

Building works have commenced. I am working with the

contractors to ensure there are no deliveries between 8:30am –

9:30am and 2:45pm to 3:15pm. I have also asked the builders not

to drill or use noisy machinery at drop off and pick up times. The

building is due to be completed by the end of August.

Mobile Phone Policy

I would like to thank the families and students with supporting the

implementation of the mobile phone policy. The students have

become a lot more engaged in their learning.

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued

by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones must not be

used during school hours, including lunchtime and recess. NSA will

be enforcing this policy across the whole school. If students do not

stop using their phones during school hours their family will be

contacted to collect the student.

Annual Implementation Plan Goals

To improve student outcomes in Numeracy and Literacy.

To implement Professional Learning Teams across the school.

To build the capacity of all staff to work in a team.

To embed the later years program incorporating VCAL curriculum, vocational education and the ASDAN program.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast club started at the Reservoir Campus on Monday. Please

inform your child’s teacher if you would like your child to

participate in the breakfast club program. Parents are welcome to

sit and eat breakfast with their child. Supervision will be provided

from 8:40am. Parents are not allowed to drop their child off before

then.

Important Dates

Parent Information Session

Thursday 5th March 2020

RC 9:45am – 11:00 am

Labour Day Public Holiday

Monday 9th March 2020

Special Events Meeting

Wednesday 11th March 2020

9:30am RC

2020 Term Dates Term 1: 28th January to 27th

March

Term 2: 14th April to 26th

June

Term 3: 13th July to 18th

September

Term 4: 5th October to 18th December

Reservoir Campus 16-18 Gertz Avenue

RESERVOIR VIC 3073 Phone: (03) 9462 5990

Fax: (03) 9460 8058 Lalor Campus

2 - 4 Lyndon Street LALOR VIC 3075

Phone: (03) 9464 3480 Fax: (03) 9464 4713

4th March 2020

Northern School for Autism Newsletter

Whole School Positive Behaviour Support

Northern School for Autism has put significant resources toward whole school positive behaviour support (PBS) in recent years and, for this reason, I will use some of the future newsletter articles to provide an update of our PBS planning. I will attach the school rules to this newsletter – these rules will be displayed in the classrooms.

The essential understandings when producing PBS are that all behaviour has a purpose and that we need to understand the purpose and provide for the student’s needs in positive and engaging ways. PBS looks to encourage rather than discourage. To reward as opposed to consequent.

Staff have participated in online learning through a DET In-house professional development to further establish Northern School for Autism’s consistency in philosophy around the way we support our students, use tools to assess and address behaviours of concern and a focus on providing students with the skills to reduce the need for behaviours of concern.

Within the school’s PBS documentation we confirm that planning in our school:

Is based on data and observation

Encourages students to perform at their best

Is individualised

Puts resources where they are needed

Is proactive

Provides flexibility in programming

Finds ways to engage students in learning

Is supportive of students with ASD

Seeks consistency between the school and home through communication Child Safety Standards

At Northern School for Autism, to continue to embed a culture of child safety at school, we have a zero tolerance of child abuse. It is important to ensure it is part of our everyday thinking and practice. As mandatory reporters, we constantly review procedures, processes for reporting concerns, discuss our code of conduct and expectations. At NSA, we are committed to keeping children safe and believe this to be everyone’s responsibility. Our staff have recently been briefed on their Mandatory Reporting requirements.

School Council

Congratulations to parents Kate Connell, Tiffany Kha and Assistant Principal Andrea Wallace who have been re-elected to School Council. Thank you to everyone for their support and dedication to NSA.

Pamela Mathieson

Principal

Northern School for Autism Newsletter

Communication Accessible Schools at NSA This term, all of the staff in Later Years A (LYA) have been working hard to make every classroom

a communication accessible room. This has involved:

- Making AAC accessible to all students all the time

- Creating opportunities for students to communicate

- Taking AAC everywhere including on excursions

- Using our new playground communication folder

LYA students have begun lots of programs within the school and local community with a strong

focus of communication. This has included the recycling program, gardening, local block walks,

wood work and excursions to Epping Plaza.

We are so proud of our Lalor students and their ability to communicate with all staff, all the time,

everywhere. Well done to all LYA staff and students!

Northern School for Autism Newsletter

From the Assistant Principal – Lalor

At the mid-way mark of the term, the classroom teams have continued to develop their

understanding of students through their interests and motivations, and what they respond most

positively to. This is helping to develop trust and understanding between staff and students, which

is incredibly important to an environment where students learn best. Staff are now setting Individual

goals for the students after completing their literacy and numeracy assessments to help guide them.

Parents will be informed of these goals in coming weeks, with portfolio presentations of student

work at SSG day on the last day of term.

Over the remaining weeks of term one we will see a number of students heading down to Docklands

for some sailing trips. A number of students were fortunate enough to experience this last year and

we’re thrilled to provide the opportunity to a new group of students in 2020. The woodwork program

has continued to provide our junior students who came from Reservoir last year an opportunity to

experience the chance to build and make small woodcraft items. All students will be given the chance

throughout the year to explore their interest in making crafts with their own hands. A number of

groups have also participated in our Footsteps dance program and a circus skills program.

Around the campus we have seen our temporary fencing removed around the new portables in the

playground, opening up some space on the grassed area in front of the new portables. This has been

most-welcomed by students and staff. A big thanks to all for their patience throughout the time this

outdoor space was impacted. Thankfully some of the grass is already growing back and we have been

fortunate enough to have avoided a large mud pit with the amount of rain recently. Looking ahead,

this Thursday morning there will be a parent information session at our Reservoir campus, discussing

NDIS and we have a group of students at Bunnings this Friday, so if you’re there, please stop and

say hello. On March 20 we will participate in a Bully Stoppers Day activities to encourage all students

to be respectful of each other. On March 20, students will participate in a range of activities where

they will be asked to work together to achieve outcomes, and be encouraged to support each other

along the way. This will also coincide with Harmony Week where we will celebrate the diversity of

our community. We are looking forward to sharing it with you.

Simon Williamson

Assistant Principal

Northern School for Autism Newsletter

FROM THE LEADING TEACHERS

What a start to the school year it has been in Early Year B Sub-school. I would like to give you the

warmest welcome to all our students, parents and staff. It has been great to see the students settling

in so quickly and demonstrating their strengths and ability to learn. We have begun to set up our

classroom structure and environment to ensure it is a space that creates, challenges and encourages

the best learning possible.

All students in Early Year B sub-school will be supported to working towards to their individual

learning goals, obtaining new skills and knowledge for their academic learning and extra curriculum

activities, such as English, Mathematics, Communication, Interpersonal Learning, Personal Learning,

Science, ICT, Art and Music through a range of functional, meaningful and motivating activities.

This style of learning has evolved from many years of structure teaching practice at NSA to assist

students learn and improve their learning within classroom and community.

We are all looking forward to work with our students and the rest of the community. We are in it

together as partners to achieve the best result for our wonderful children. 2020 will be a very exciting

year for all of us!

Angeline Chen Leading Teacher - Early Year B Sub-school

FROM THE THERAPISTS

The new school year of 2020 has been a busy time for the Occupational Therapy Team at Northern

School for Autism.

We have recruited 2 new staff bringing our team up to 8 members across 3 campuses.

The OT team works collaboratively in classrooms to provide support in many areas of schooling

including fine and gross motor sessions, transport, sensory support, regulation, executive function

skills and self-care.

At Reservoir, Michelle leads the team and works with Entry level students.

Pavi, Sarah, Jessica and Bek work in rooms across the Reservoir campus to support our learners in

Rooms 2 and 5-25.

Allie has just joined our team as a new recruit. She works at Norris Bank for 2 days per week, and

Reservoir for 3 days.

The Lalor campus has also been extremely busy welcoming new students and staff.

Bec has been joined by Hannah, working in the classrooms with the teaching teams.

Term 1 has a time for all OTs to get to know our new students, families and teaching teams. We

have all been busy setting goals so that we support learning across the year.

We are all positive about working with our students to help them achieve all they can in 2020.

Michelle Forssberg - Senior OT

The students at Norris Bank Room 2 have been having a

lot of fun this term. We have celebrated many birthdays,

both students and staff.

Swimming and Art have been the two favourites

during the week, demonstrating

amazing work and skills in both swimming and art!

The students in Room 2 have also bonded over their

love for cars and group games. A great start to term 1!

Norris

Bank

Satellite

Room 2

‘’

LC2 have had a wonderful start to

the year. Students are immersed in

the integrated unit called

‘Understanding Me and My

Community’.

This term the wonderful parents

and carers have sent through family

photos and information the students

will share with their peers through a

presentation towards the end of the

term. They are also making self-

portraits with Cyndy who helps out

on a Thursday.

Anna is our Speech Therapist and

has been working with students on

communication skills using their

devices

Students in LC2 have enjoyed their

weekly cooking class. They have made

pizza muffins and pancakes using

various equipment safely in the

Multipurpose Room.

We are very lucky to have

Hannah the OT working with

us on Wednesday’s. She has

introduced the students in

LC2 to yoga and is working on

building their core strength.

Students have even made

faces using food sensory play

to introduce new foods.

Gardening is a Friday afternoon

activity where students have begun

clearing all the weeds and getting

ready to plant seedlings. It is

wonderful to see all students

working as a team to get the job

done.

Being Friendly is:Helping others.Talking nicely to people.Listening to others.Giving other people compliments.

Being safe is:Wearing safety equipment.Being safe in the community.Making safe choices online.Using equipment and tools in a safe manner.

Listening is:Looking at/facing the speaker.Being quiet.Following instructions.

Fundraiser!

How does NSA BENEFIT? • They will Receive 100% of the profits earned • They will Receive ALL Tupperware Host Rewards • They will Receive an additional $20 for every

Party/Demo booking*

Every order will receive a gift – with a Major Raffle

prize for all orders placed valued at $120

Ordering is EASY! Starts: 9am Monday 2nd March 2020

Ends: 2.30pm Friday 27th March 2020 PayPal & Credit Card payments accepted. All ordering MUST be completed by Friday 27th

March. A display and Tupperware representative will be available on SSG Day at both

campuses. Payments are due at time of order processing.

Ordering can take place via provided order forms, online via

https://tinyurl.com/NSAFundraiser or phone call direct to your

Tupperware Fundraising Consultant. Delivery to take place by 1st

week of Term 3 – individual packed orders to classroom or you

can have it shipped direct to your home for a flat fee of $12.95.

View our current full catalogue online, a hard copy can be found at the

school office, call or text Bobby for more information

Your Fundraising Consultant is

Bobby Van Beek | 0418 290 437 | tupperwarewithbobby@outlook.com |

facebook.com/groups/MyTupperLifewithBobby/

Your Fundraising Consultant is Bobby Van Beek | 0418 290 437 | tupperwarewithbobby@outlook.com |

facebook.com/groups/MyTupperLifewithBobby/

TUPPERWARE FUNDRAISER ORDER FORM

How does NSA BENEFIT?

• They will Receive 100% of the profits earned • They will Receive ALL Tupperware Host Rewards • They will Receive an additional $20 for every Party/Demo booking* (*party bookings need to be held within the next 30days)

Starts: 9am Monday 2nd March 2020 Ends: 2.30pm Friday 27th March 2020

Ordering is easy! Simply complete the following order form using either the provided specials catalogue, or a copy of

the full catalogue is available from the School office, online or text me for a digital copy directly to your phone. Orders

can also be done via the NSA Fundraiser Weblink https://tinyurl.com/NSAFundraiser , or phone call to your

Tupperware Fundraising Coordinator.

Customer Name: Yes I would like to have my own Party (In Home / Online)

Address: I would like to find out more about the business opportunity

Suburb: I would like to be kept up to date with the catalogues:

Email: I would like to find out more about a custom pantry Contact Number:

Every order will receive a gift – with a Major Raffle prize for all orders placed valued at $120

Item # Item Description Colour (if applic.)

Qty Unit Price

Total

Please Ship directly to my home/work address Address:

$12.95

Please return to NSA Campus: Reservoir / Lalor (please circle) Class/Room Number: _________ Childs Name: ________________

$0.00

Total Due $ Payment Options: VISA / Mastercard

Cardholder Name: ________________________ Card Number: ______________________________________

Exp. Date: __________ CCV: ________

Direct Deposit

Bank: NAB BSB: 084-004 ACC: 878213194 ACCOUNT NAME: Bobby L Van Beek (please use your class number and

surname as your reference)