Elouera Special School Report – 2008

By Allan Young

 

In 2008 the Elouera Special School continued to operate as a successful Special School that provides a life skills curriculum to any child that has an intellectual disability, autism or multiple disabilities. Our enrolments at Elouera have been slightly lower this year and numbers have grown from 16 at the beginning of the year to 18 in the final term. We are commencing a daily bus run from Young to Cootamundra for the School in term 4 as we now have two students coming from the town to our school and Taxi services are not available.  .

 At the end of 2008 we will be saying farewell to Luke Sing who has been enrolled at Elouera for many years. Luke will complete his Higher School Certificate in 2008, making him our fourth student to be successful in studying his HSC. Luke has been involved in the transition to wok program spending part of his week at Elouera Recycling in Cootamundra.  In 2009 Luke will become a full time employee of Elouera Recycling and we wish him all the best for the future.

The Elouera Special School continues to operate with three classes. For some of this year we have had to operate just two classes a couple of days a week due to the lower class numbers and inability to attract a part time teacher.  We were able to increase our access to the community in 2008 with the organisation being able to base a 12 seater bus at the school permanently.  This has enabled us to go to Junee pool, Wagga for shows and movies and many other local attractions and facilities. 

 We started 2008 with two full time and one part time Teachers Aides and this increased to three full time in term three.  Our Aides are vitally important to the running of the School and all are qualified having completed the Teachers Aide Special course.  Several of our Aides, Nancy and Jenny have over ten years with the school bringing much knowledge but also being in the unique position to have seen many of the student grow up before them, you can imagine how this leads to a strong bond where they gain much joy from the achievements of all their students no matter how small a step that may be for some. 

Our Commonwealth Bank funding of $3500 was continued this year after Sue Bradley once again submitted a successful application. This funding was used to pay for additional Aide time in implementing a Financial Literacy Program. The program has been a huge success and students continue to develop their financial skills.

The Elouera School has received some wonderful support from the whole of the Elouera Association, particularly with the funding of the Elouera Centre. We now have four students participating in a transition to work program at the Elouera Recycling, Elouera Industries  and Elouera Laundry respectively. All four of these students have gained some valuable experience in the employment sector and the feedback from the workplaces assists us in identifying needs for their individual plan at the school. We now are in a position where students can attend the Elouera Centre if work is not immediately an option for them, this way they become familiar with the Centre before their last year at school making the transition much easier.  

In 2009 Elouera Special School will be applying for the renewal of its registration and accreditation to operate as a K – 12 school for children with disabilities that offers both the School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate. The process for this involves the teaching staff on curriculum issues and the CEO on Policy and planning, it’s a big project but one that has flow on benefits to everyone at the School. 

Finally, thank you to all parents, volunteers, Board members, Elouera staff and other stakeholders who have worked to make the Elouera Special School the special place that it is today.   Elouera School is unique, it’s a quality centre for education but more importantly its a community. 

 

THANKYOU

Chief Executive Officer

 
 

Teacher Standards 2008

During 2008 the Elouera Special School had a maximum of 18 students enrolled at any one time and these students were classed by ability and age into three classes. Each class has a Teacher full time or part time. Elouera has three full-time teacher’s aides.

In 2008 we had problems finding leave replacement and part time Teachers required due to the Principal being on Maternity Leave.  With numbers lower early in the year we operated the school with two Teachers in term two. 

Qualifications of key staff employed through the year at various time periods are as follows:

Teacher: Mrs Susan Bradley – Diploma of Education

Teacher: Mrs Emily Harris – Bachelor of Arts/Diploma of Education

Teacher: Miss Elizabeth Verri – Bachelor of Education

 

Teacher’s Aide: Ms Nancy Doubleday – Nursing Degree, Certificate 3 (Teacher’s Aide Special)

Teacher’s Aide: Mrs Jenny Roberts – 10 years experience

Teacher’s Aide: Miss Stacey Hardy – Certificate 3 (Teacher’s Aide Special)

 

 2008 Goals (Achievement of)

The Elouera Special School has been able to reach a number of its goals for 2008.  These include:

 1.    Financial Literacy Program: Elouera was able to continue this program successfully with a number of students. We were able to include some students who had missed out in previous years.

 2.    Policy Development: With the accreditation happening in 2009 we are reviewing all policies and procedures at the School, late in 2008 Allan Young or Chief Executive Officer presented a package of new policies to the Board for ratification.  This work will continue into 2009 with additional Policies being developed where gaps are identified.

 3.    Programming and Assessment: Reporting continue to occur twice yearly and parents are invited to interviews.

 4.    Maintain Student and Staff Numbers: While we did experience a drop in numbers early in 2008 that picked up to close to 2007 levels by term three.  Staff levels remained above our funded levels but we did have trouble recruiting a part time teaching position as we had no applicants following advertising. 

 

School Determined Improved Targets

During 2009 the school’s goals for improvements are :

 

1.   Renewal of Registration And Accreditation: In 2008/9 staff and management will be preparing curriculum, programs, policies and procedures in accordance to the requirements of the Board of Studies.

Our goal is to incorporate the Elouera Special School into our overall organisation Quality Manual that will be used in the application process, then remain in the school for future reference. Our QA Manual is a computer based system that is easily available to staff and can be updated more efficiently than paper models. 

Increase Student Enrolments: We continue to work towards having a total school enrolment of 24. We are adding a bus run to and from Young as there is no taxi services available from that town. 

Capital Works: We are planning on an upgrade of the car park at the school improving traffic flow and making it safer for students.  We are also looking at building an outdoor Bar-B-Que area with shade over to allow classes to enjoy the outdoors more and prepare a meal together.

Financial Literacy Program: The goal for 2009 will be to develop and implement the financial literacy program with the other classes depending on the success of our application in 2009.

 

Performance in State-wide Tests and Examinations

Elouera Special School students have been exempted from statewide tests and examinations because of their moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

These decisions have been made with parent agreement and support.
 

Retention Rates in Secondary School

 

YEAR	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
2006	2	5	2	1	1	1
2007	3	3	5	2	1	1
2008	1	3	3	5	2	1

The above table shows year levels for students in the Secondary section of the school this year and last year.

Most children attend Elouera Special School until Year 12. 

Teacher Attendance

The teacher attendance for Elouera Special School during 2008 is 98%, that is, teaching staff attends work 98% of the school year. The 2% covers sick and short term leave.  This does not include the period we were not able to replace a part time position as this was over and above our funded level anyway. 

 

SUMMARY OF STUDENT WELFARE POLICIES

School Principles

The school believes students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities are entitled to an education. This school believes education involves learning to live and function in a variety of environments across the broad areas of this school’s curriculum independent living / personal, leisure and recreation, vocational skills, all incorporated into the key learning areas.

All students have the capacity to learn and develop, regardless of their disabilities. Therefore, students should receive an education that respects personal privacy, promotes individual rights and dignity, allows personal choice and enhances the student’s sense of worth and dignity.

Each student learns and develops through the provision of appropriate educational services, experiences and environments necessary to their physical, social and emotional needs, within the boundaries of personal safety. Students require an activities-based curriculum, which is age appropriate and functional, to broaden the individual’s opportunities and options for a personally satisfying and valued lifestyle. Each student requires an Individual Education Program in accordance with identified needs and educational objectives. The school’s approach involves the liaison with a variety of support services and resources to enhance the quality of each student’s life within their community.

School Aims

Through its student Welfare program the school aims to develop and maintain

·        a unified school community embracing all students, staff and parents, 

·        a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction in belonging to the school 

·        a feeling of dignity and worth and self respect for each student 

·        an environment where all students  will experience success, 

·        the student’s sense of personal and social responsibility for their own actions and decisions, 

·        a caring attitude towards others, 

·        that our students be accepted as valued members of their chosen community.

 

Preventative Measures Objectives. 

Teachers and aides take specific action in the normal course of their duties to enhance and protect the welfare of all students.

Such action is designed to  

·        maintain  a school and classroom climate conducive to learning, 

·        ensure a safe and secure environment where basic needs are met, 

·        encourage appropriate forms of behaviour, 

·        protect students from harm. 

 

These objectives are more likely to be achieved when those who teach, advise and counsel students: 

·        provide interesting and appropriate learning programs, 

·        model and reinforce the qualities and values which the school aims to develop and foster,

·        listen with empathy to the cares and concerns of all students, parents and care givers, 

·        respond to questions and provide information and guidance where necessary, 

·        offer students genuine opportunities for choice and participation in decision making, 

·        establish a firm code of behaviour, 

·        caution students for the sake of their own safety, 

·        provide appropriate physical management and behaviour management strategies where necessary, 

·        provide an atmosphere where students feel secure.

 In summary.

Parents and families have the prime responsibility for the welfare of their children. The general community shares the responsibility for the welfare of young people. The NSW Department of Education and Training, The Association of Independent Schools and other community groups support the parents and care givers. Schools, as part of the community, have a role in student welfare. The Principal is responsible to ensure that the program for each child is developed, implemented and evaluated. 

ELOUERA SPECIAL SCHOOL ENROLMENT POLICY 

Introduction

The Elouera Special School is registered with the Board of Studies as a School of a Prescribed Kind. As defined in the Board of Studies Manual for Registration and Accreditation of Individual Non-Government Schools in New South Wales.  The Elouera Special School has been recognised as a school for children with a disability.  The Board of Studies assumes that a school seeking registration for education of a prescribed kind, will have only students that meet that criteria.  Therefore to be eligible for enrolment at the Elouera Special School a student must be assessed as having a moderate to severe or multiple disability including Developmental Disability, Autism or Mental Illness or any other significant disability.   

Assessments

All enrolments require an Enrolment Form to be fully completed.  Eligibility to attend the school will be based on our Eligibility criteria document

In certain cases the Principal in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer may accept a new enrolment without an assessment of intellectual ability if they believe that the school may be able to meet the education and support needs of the student and the parent or caregiver is willing to have an assessment done as soon as possible.  In these cases the student will be accepted on a trial basis only pending the outcome of the assessment .  The trial period commences from the start of the students enrolment with sufficient time allowed to an external assessment to occur and to allow the School staff sufficient time to assess the education and support needs of the student and if the Elouera Special School can meet those needs. 

If, at the end of the trial period there remains some concerns about the eligibility of the student or whether the school can provide an appropriate level of support to meet the educational needs of the student discussions between the Principal, parents and care givers plus other relevant professionals will be held.  At the those discussions the Principal will highlight the concerns about the enrolment of the student. 

Recommendation

Where the recommendation by the principal in conjunction with the Elouera Association (Inc) Chief Executive Officer is, that the student does not meet the eligibility requirements of the school, or that the school can not provide the appropriate level of supports to meet the personal and educational needs of the student, then their enrolment trial will be terminated. 

Where it is deemed that the students personal and educational needs can be met and eligibility clearly meets the requirements for enrolment at the school, the student will be offered full and ongoing enrolment. 

 

ELOUERA SPECIAL SCHOOL 

GRIEVANCE POLICY 

PREAMBLE

Elouera Association (Inc) recognises the need for a mechanism through which, either staff, students, employees, service users, members or customers can seek discussion and resolution of their concerns. The grievance policy and procedure has been designed to meet this need and thus ensure that concerns are dealt with fairly and effectively. 

POLICY 

1     Any person has the right to raise grievances and issues of concern in respect with their dealings with the Elouera Association (Inc). 

Ø   Grievances should be expressed and addressed in a non threatening manner and without fear of retribution. 

 

Ø   Any person with a grievance will not be subjected to any reprisal as a result of the registration of their concern. This includes obvious and subtle or implied reprisals.  

2     Staff, students, employees, service users, members and customers have the right to raise their grievances at a number of levels of the organisation. 

Ø    Grievances should however be addressed and where possible be resolved at the point of conflict or as low a level in the organisation as is possible.

 

3     Any person has the right to have an advocate present at any time. 

Ø   Elouera Association has detailed Advocacy Guidelines that fully outline the role of an advocate and their rights.  A copy of these guidelines will be provided to assist in this process.   

4     This policy will be publicised and made freely available to anyone requesting it or asking to make a complaint. 

Ø    Appropriate support and training shall be provided for service users to increase  awareness of their rights and responsibilities in raising a grievance.  

ELOUERA SPECIAL SCHOOL

Discipline policy 

Introduction 

This policy is specific to the Elouera Special School

In Teaching and a School environment good discipline is essential and without this sound Teacher Student relationship sensible and satisfactory teaching is impossible.   Our aim is self-discipline and the capacity of self control.  We must try encourage the students independence and enable them to become someone who can be trusted to do the right thing on their own.   

Inappropriate Forms of Behaviour at School.

 

·        Physical abuse i.e. hitting, punching, kicking, fighting of other students or staff

·        Swearing within and outside of the School environment

·        Taking other peoples property without permission

·        Mistreatment of School and other students ad staff property

·        Spitting

·        Back-answering and verbal abuse to staff and students

·        Teasing other students

·        Leaving the classroom or grounds without permission

·        Repeated refusal of expected behaviours or tasks

 Consequences of Inappropriate Forms of Behaviour

    Warning or reprimand by staff

·        Second warning and removal from activity

·        Being sent to the Principals Office for counselling

·       Consequences of inappropriate behaviour applied as per the individuals pre determined

          Behavioural Management Plan and or the individuals Individual Education Plan

·        Notification of parents for repeat offences

·        The development of a Behavioural Management Plan if one does not exist in consultation

          with parents and guardians

·        Critical Incident Procedures detailed in the Behavioural Management Policy implemented

·        Intervention from external Professional staff.

·        Suspension as per the policy

·    If continued inappropriate behaviour occurs of a significant nature then expulsion may occur at the Principals recommendation but only with the Chief Executive Officer’s approval and after all other reasonable steps have been taken in accordance with the Aggressive Behaviour Policy and Behaviour Management Policy.

 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 

By Allan Young – Chief Executive Officer  

I am pleased to report an operating surplus for the year 2008 calendar year.  The School is unique where we report and audit it on a Calendar year as well as a financial year.  The Calendar Year report is an interim report for funding and reporting commitments, the Financial Year Audit is the more important as the School and Organisations Budget is Financial year based.   

At 31 December 2008 the School was showing an operating surplus of $34,752.75.   

Our income this year increased from $471,022.38 in 2007 to $463,746.91 in 2008 an overall increase of over $27,477.28.  Our expenses increased as well mostly due to an increase in staffing costs.  In the previous year we spent $316,685.64 and this year that increased to  $361,664.36.   

Any specific questions or enquiries relating to these accounts can be directed to Allan Young on (02)6942 6586.   The accounts presented in this report were audited by Alan McNeil and Peter Hunt of Hunt and McTavish Accountants.  Attached are the financial statements and reports from the auditors for the Elouera Special School 2007 school year and the Organisation for the 2007/08 financial year. 

 

THANKYOU

 

 Chief Executive Officer

 

 

ELOUERA SPECIAL SCHOOL
FINANCIAL REPORT
BALANCE SHEET
As at 31st December, 2008
			2008		2007
Capital Account
	Opening Balance		274,494.55		249,421.72
	Net Surplus / (Loss) for year		34,752.75		25,072.83
			309,247.30		274,494.55
	Represented By:
Current Assets
	Cash at Bank		26,178.78		64,562.17
	Elouera Assoc Fundraising Account		3,245.26		7,477.19
	Petty Cash		100.00		100.00
	Elouera Assoc. Head Office Current account		8,377.30		8,278.01
	Subsidies Receivable		53,492.47		24,630.59
	Total Current Assets		91,393.81		105,047.96
Non-Current Assets
	Freehold Land & Buildings
	Scott Avenue - at valuation		150,000.00		150,000.00
	School Additions - at cost	62,737.27
	Less: Depreciation Provision	(26,699.00)	36,038.27		37,435.27
	Harold Brady Building	250,811.28
	Less: Depreciation Provision	(27,556.58)	223,254.70		228,978.70
			409,292.97		416,413.97
	Plant & Vehicles
	At cost	134,447.00
	Less: Depreciation Provision	(93,897.00)	40,550.00		29,657.00
	Total Non-Current Assets		449,842.97		446,070.97
Total Assets			541,236.78		551,118.93
Current Liabilities
	Trade Creditors		2,154.64		603.28
	G.S.T. Payable		3,996.95		6,318.08
	Total Current Liabilities		6,151.59		6,921.36
Loans
	ANZ - School Building Loan		197,632.21		209,801.90
Provisions
	Employees Entitlements		28,205.68		59,901.12
Total Liabilities			231,989.48		276,624.38
Net Assets			309,247.30		274,494.55

 

ELOUERA SPECIAL SCHOOL
SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL REPORT
STATEMENT OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE
For the period 1 January, 2007 to 31 December, 2008
		2008		2007
Income
	Donations & Bequests	1,220.00		8,050.00
	School Fees	1,451.18		749.54
	Interest Received	1,622.44		1,058.52
	Cwth Govt Subsidy - Operating	242,028.01		163,513.41
	State Govt Subsidy - Operating	236,019.95		278,192.13
	Other Grants	15,938.08		19,233.78
	Sundry Income	220.00		225.00
Total Income		498,499.66		471,022.38
Expenses
	Staff - Labour	323,894.35		283,741.15
	Staff - Workers Compensation	10,557.00		8,125.00
	Staff - Award Superannuation	27,213.01		24,819.49
	Staff - Entitlements Provision	(31,374.23)		10,641.21
	Administration Costs Allocation	38,421.00		37,349.00
	First Aid Supplies	135.99		410.50
	Canteen Supplies & Expenses	284.12		151.59
	Public Relations & Advertising	2,306.24		2,002.00
	Recreational Supplies & Expenses	465.36		841.71
	Cleaning Materials & Expenses	12,673.60		11,705.32
	Training Materials	4,847.04		2,624.75
	Stationery & Office Supplies	1,838.43		1,164.49
	Motor Vehicle Fuel	8,465.91		7,560.43
	Motor Vehicle Expenses	1,524.35		4,502.44
	Travel & Accommodation	1,607.18		600.65
	Hire & Rental Charges	200.00		0.00
	Depreciation	15,001.00		12,194.00
	Consumable Equipment	2,163.34		474.89
	Postage	106.28		53.90
	Maintenance of Plant etc	518.64		204.00
	Computer Expenses	785.37		931.37
	Insurance Premiums	5,103.00		2,730.00
	Bank Charges	933.00		930.00
	Electricity & Gas	3,956.05		3,627.18
	Council Rates & Water	1,675.87		2,581.26
	Telephone	850.71		936.00
	Gardening	3,595.45		2,115.00
	Maintenance of Land & Buildings	1,566.14		710.72
	Membership Subscriptions	694.87		1,094.94
	Interest Paid	19,945.28		18,490.10
	Accountancy / Audit Fees	2,804.37		2,401.00
	Sundry Other Expenses	0.00		21.73
	Conferences & Meeting Expenses	0.00		191.91
	Staff Training	988.19		21.82
Total Expenses		463,746.91		445,949.55
Net Surplus / (Loss)		34,752.75		25,072.83

 

ELOUERA ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

Independent Audit Report to the Members

Scope 

I have audited the attached Special Purpose Financial Report of Elouera Special School  which is a division of the Elouera Association (Inc) comprising the Statement of Income and Expenditure, Balance Sheet and notes for the year ended 31 December 2008. The Association's Office Bearers are responsible for the preparation and the presentation of these statements to the members. I have conducted an independent audit of the financial statements in order to express an opinion on them to the members of the Association. 

The Special Purpose Financial Report has been prepared for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the Funding Agencies of the Commonwealth and State Governments.  I disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on this report or on the financial report to which it relates, to any other person or for any purpose other than for which it was prepared.

My Audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. My procedures included examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial statements, and the evaluation of accounting policies and significant accounting estimates. These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion whether, in all material respects, the financial report is presented fairly in accordance with accounting policies described in the Notes

The audit opinion expressed in this report has been formed on the above basis. 

Audit Opinion 

In my opinion, the Special Purpose Financial Report of Elouera Special School being a division of the Elouera Association (Inc)  are properly drawn up: 

a)          so as to give a true and fair view of:

                         (i)     the Schools state of affairs as at 31 December 2008

                         (ii)    the School's income and expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2008

 

Dated:          23  March, 2009   at Cootamundra NSW.

 

                                                                                                    

               Peter J Hunt

               Registered Company Auditor

               (Companies Auditors' Board of NSW)