Judy Loudon 

During our Pupil Free Day last Friday, our region’s Inclusion Capability Facilitator, Liesl Harper visited. Liesl is an expert in AAC (Alternative and Augmentive Communication). She is working with our Inclusion Coach, Judy Loudon, to develop a whole school approach to AAC, so that students with complex communication needs can have a ‘voice’ anywhere in our school. Some of the AAC strategies we can use include- 

• Key word signing 
• Alternative Language Systems (ALS boards) 
• Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) books 
• Alternative Keyboards 
• Photographs 
• Symbols 
• What to Do stories 
• Text to speech software 

Liesl also spent some time with our Teacher Aides, learning about AAC and the importance of this for our students. 

I also had the pleasure of presenting ‘The Inclusive Mindset’ at our Early Years Network Meeting last Thursday at the New Farm Community Centre. Thanks to Mel Norman for your work with this network.

SAGES Screening for Gifted and Talented students is almost completed with all Year 1 and 4 classes. We are in the process of compiling the results. This information as well as information from achievement results, NAPLAN, ICAS etc is used to identify students who may be gifted/talented. This is usually 10% of our student population. If you child has not been previously identified, and they are identified as possibly, likely or very likely to have a gift/talent in English, Maths or Reasoning, then their Class Teacher will be in touch to discuss further referrals or supports.