Our Student Services Coordinator is Deputy Principal, Albert Cianfrini. He oversees our student support services team and works closely with the principal, staff, School Psychologist, Chaplain, School Nurse and parents/caregivers.
Early identification and intervention for students with learning difficulties or diagnosed disabilities is crucial. Parents are strongly encouraged to make the school aware of any information that may assist us to support students more effectively including conditions that their child has been or is being treated/assessed for. Having these conversations early helps us to incorporate learning adjustments where necessary. Teachers will also organise to meet with parents where they have identified any concerns or difficulties students are experiencing in the school learning environment.
From these discussions, educational plans, specific to a student’s needs may be created by the teacher. These could be an Individual Plan or a Group Plan and could apply to academic, behavioural or other support needs. Plans are revised throughout the year by teachers who will arrange to meet with parents/carers periodically to review and update individual education plans.
School Psychologist Services
Our School Psychologist, Julie Bergin, is appointed 1 day a week and works in close consultation with the SAER coordinator to support individual students at Banksia Park. Access to the school psychologist includes a referral process through classroom teachers after discussions including parents and the SAER Coordinator, Mr Cianfrini. School psychologists use their knowledge and expertise to help support students achieve academic success, psychological health, and emotional wellbeing. They work closely with the Administration team, teachers, students, parents and interagency partners to identify causes for a student’s difficulties and to develop appropriate programs and supports to address these. Parent and carer involvement is vital to the success of these programs.
Further information regarding the role of a school psychologist is available in the following YouTube video.
If you are concerned about your child and would like to access School Psychology Services, please speak to your child’s classroom teacher.
Chaplaincy Services
A Chaplaincy Service is provided through YouthCARE for students at Banksia Park Primary School. This valuable service to students is largely funded by the Department of Education School Chaplaincy Program with the remaining costs met by Banksia Park Primary School.
Our School Chaplain, Louise Lathbury, is appointed two days a week. Student support through the Chaplaincy service is provided on a need’s basis for all students. Requests for support may come from staff, parents or students. Parents and Carers acknowledge permission for Chaplain involvement on enrolment. This may be withdrawn at any time in writing to the school.
School Nurse
The School Nurse supports our school conducting screening for all Kindergarten students in hearing and vision. Follow up with the parents is done by the nurse who will contact you personally if required. The nurse also has the capacity to identify students who may require follow up for Speech and Language assessments. Access for the nurse’s services to check hearing and vision is also available for students in other year levels. The request is made by the teacher and then followed up by Mr Cianfrini.
Special Needs Education Assistants
Special Needs Education Assistants (SNEA) provide support to the school to better meet the needs of students who have a diagnosed disability and are eligible for funding from the Department of Education’s Disability Resourcing Services. This targeted funding is used in part for staffing, but is also used to fund resources to support learning, professional learning, support classroom teachers and to implement a range of programs to assist the school to meet the differentiated needs of students with a diagnosed disability.
Student Services Team
Principal – Serena Gosnay
Deputy Principal & Student Services Coordinator – Albert Cianfrini
School Psychologist – Julie Bergin
School Chaplain – Louise Lathbury
School Nurse – Anne Kennedy