The Student Services team provides individual, group and whole school/professional learning support to assist schools to implement departmental initiatives in the areas of behaviour, attendance, mental health, disability and learning difficulties and to maintain learning environments that maximise the educational and psycho/social outcomes for students.

The Student Services Team consists of:

• The Manager,
• School Psychologists,
• Retention & Participation Coordinator and
• Speech and Language Support Officer from the South West Speech & Language Service and shared with Bunbury.
• Visiting Teacher (Disabilities) from the Centre for Inclusive Schooling.
• Classroom Management Strategies Team

Student Services Manager

The Student Services Manager is responsible for the operations of the team and the effectiveness of support to schools. The manager may be contacted by schools or parents faced with complex issues, or who are uncertain about how or which service to contact, and assist with complaints resolution and mediation if required.

School Psychology Services

There are 5.0 FTE positions for School Psychologists in the district. These positions are shared between 7 people, who are based around the district. They work 8.15 to 4.30 daily and are available, by prior arrangement, outside these hours and in school holidays. They are allocated to work with particular schools, will also work with other schools where their expertise is required. Some members of the team provide specific district-wide programs. They welcome informal consultation about concerns. They can be contacted when they visit your school in line with your school’s operating procedures.

School psychologists are registered psychologists (or under supervision to become registered) and qualified teachers. Some have experience in classroom teaching. Their training emphasises mental health, school organization, child development, disability, learning, motivation and behaviour. They use their skills to work with schools, parents and other professionals to ensure that children can learn in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. School Psychologists understand school systems, effective teaching and successful learning and can assist you and your students.

Retention & Participation Co-ordinator

The RAP coordinator also performs the duties of a School Attendance Officer and supports schools to develop systematic approaches to managing attendance and retention. She works 4 days per week and the effectiveness of her work relies on support from other team members and school staff in tracking the attendance of students.

Speech and Language Support Officer

The Speech and Language Support Officer is a member of the team based in Fremantle. Her role is to support schools and teachers to identify and effectively intervene to enhance the education of students with speech and language difficulties. Her priority for services will be with interested schools and teachers in the provision of appropriate programs for students in the early years. Teachers of older students seeking support with programming may contact her.

Visiting Teacher (Inclusive Education)

The Visiting Teacher (Disabilities) will support schools develop inclusive cultures and practices for staff and students. They will support teachers and the whole school community by providing up to date information about the education of students with disabilities. This includes support for the Learning Support Coordinators and the provision of whole school professional learning. Visiting Teachers will also work with personnel from a variety of agencies to facilitate effective services for students with disabilities. They help build the capacity of schools to develop curriculum access pathways for students requiring teaching and learning adjustments.

Classroom Management Strategies Program

There are two consultants working part-time to implement 2 professional learning programs in 2009. The Classroom Management Strategies program is a 5 day program focusing on behaviour. The Instructional Strategies program is a 3 day program with a focus on cooperative learning and small group work to achieve active participation in learning.