Jean Ellison Centre
In 2014 St Brigid’s was funded by CEWA to open an Education Support Centre.
Our school has created a sanctuary for our children to blossom. The children have the opportunity to meet their outcomes in indoor and outdoor spaces, including a kitchen.
Our outdoor area is a safe grassed and fenced area with a huge enclosed trampoline and a soft landing area with a comfy couch and beanbags.
At the beginning of 2019 the centre was named the Jean Ellison Centre. The centre is named after the dedicated voluntary work of Jean Ellison.
We cater for students with a range of disabilities who are funded by CEWA.
The students we provide programs for include those with diagnosis of Autism, GDD, Vision Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, ADHD, Tourette’s, Leukaemia and genetic disorders.
Some of our higher functioning students work in their classrooms with support from class teachers and EAs, accessing the Centre on a needs basis to assist with social emotional and self –regulation needs.
The Jean Ellison Centre provides a learning environment for students on a daily basis.
The Centre is staffed with a SWD Co-ordinator, SWD teacher and a team of Education Assistants. The teacher and EA ratio is dependent on students and funding annually.
In the Jean Ellison Centre students work on Individual Education Plans designed by SWD Co-ordinator/Teacher to meet their English, Mathematics and social emotional outcomes.
The students programs are planned using WA curriculum and ABLEWA Curriculum.
Some of our students require the support of communication devices to communicate with staff and peers. Students work independently using the TEACch method completing previously taught, familiar tasks. This is an approach also used in classroom settings.
Visual timetables/schedules and break times are an integral part of our program to meet individuals’ needs.
Our Centre curriculum is planned using the WA curriculum outcomes but more importantly it offers programs that support students’ emotional well- being. Our overarching goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where our students develop independence.
Our staff are great advocates for our students’ and their family needs.
Some of our students require the support of communication devices to communicate with staff and peers. The devices are taken to all lessons.
Every child works from an individual plan which becomes their daily scheduled tasks.
The students work across three workstations in the Centre. Workstation One with the teacher for explicit teaching of concepts, Workstation two with an EA to consolidate their learning and Workstation three, independently on familiar tasks providing revision of their learning.
The ESN Students work independently using the TEACch method completing previously taught, familiar shoebox tasks. This is an approach highly recommended to be used in classroom settings.
Visual timetables/schedules and break times are an integral part of our program to meet individuals’ needs.
The centre curriculum is driven by the WA curriculum outcomes but more importantly it offers programs that support students’ emotional well- being. Our overarching goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where they develop independence.
Our staff are great advocates for our students’ needs.
