Malibu School Newsletter - 2023 Term 1 Week 4

Principal's Pen

Dear families 

As the Principal of Malibu School I am proud to work alongside dedicated elected members of the Malibu School Board to achieve the best outcomes for our students. I would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of our parent representative Tarryn Coleman for her term on the Board as a parent representative concludes, leaving one vacancy for a new Parent Representative.

Our School Board works best with a broad cross-section of people with a range of experiences and expertise that best reflects our school community. Strong representation ensures that the Board can make significant contributions to the development of the school. Being a member provides an opportunity to support the school’s vision by ensuring that the plans and aspirations for our school will meet the needs of our students and community.

If we receive more than one nomination, nominees will be put forward for the consideration of our parent group. With one vacancy left, please consider if you might like to join the Board and make a difference for Malibu. Sending an EOI is easy - just complete an online nomination form by Monday 13th March, 3pm. Alternatively, please ask your child's teacher for a hard copy. 

I'm so thrilled to announce that we have two parents keen to get the P&C started this year. Thank you greatly to Sarah and Jonathan Phillips. We've promised lots of support while we get things started, though we need one more parent to take on a role and a few more as members.  The benefits for our students will be incredible, as are the social connections we hope to increase for our families. If you are interested, please do let me or your child's teacher know. 

It is clear our school works best when we all work together. The support of our families is one of our highest priorities. Thank you to those who connected with our teachers and EAs over the last few weeks, to support transitions or to plan IEP goals. Our collaborative approaches and communication is what will make the greatest difference for your child. 

With a wonderful long weekend ahead, I wish you all some lovely experiences together and we hope to see you for some of our exciting events coming in the next few weeks. 

Kind regards
Merrilee Wright
Principal 

News from the Board

Hi families

The Board has met for the first time this year and we were very happy to welcome new parent Rep David Down, Community Reps Jimmy Mouritz from APM and Jenni Crowther from the City of Rockingham.

Sadly, we also farewelled Tarryn Coleman from the role of Parent Rep. Tarryn has been a strong supporter and contributor to our Board meetings and we are thankful for her time over the last two years. 

This leaves the Board with one parent vacancy. If you are interested in joining the Board, please complete an online nomination form by Monday 13th March, 3pm. Alternatively, please ask your child's teacher for a hard copy. 

Members meet twice each term for a maximum of 2 hours. During the meetings, members share information, discuss a range of topics and plan for school improvement. A comprehensive induction is provided for all Board members. We invite all parents to consider applying. Should more than one parent complete an EOI, an election process will be initiated to fill the vacancy. The meeting dates for the remainder of the year are;

I would also like to advertise that our next meeting is open to all and encourage you to attend. The main agenda will be a review of 2022 and summary of plans going forward, presented by our Principal Merrilee Wright. Please consider coming along, meet the team, enjoy some morning tea and learn a little more about the directions for your child's school. Registration for our open Board Meeting can be made here.

We hope to see you soon!

Malibu School Board Chair
Leanne Stewart

Meet the team! Jade Press, EA

Jade started at Malibu in 2019 and most enjoys the fun and inclusive learning environment, community feel and beautiful kids. Friendly, calm, flexible and patient, she is most proud of making a positive impact on students' learning and well-being. 

Jade was once an environmental scientist before becoming a stay at home mum, volunteering at her son's school. Once she started working with the students at Malibu, she know that was what she wanted to do as a career.

Jade has an artistic, creative side, loves nature and outdoors, is part Aboriginal and is learning Noongar language. In fact, Jade proudly leads our Acknowledgement to Country using the language of the Noongar people during our assemblies. 

Multicultural Day @ Malibu - Your invitation!

We invite you, your family and friends to join us in celebrating Multicultural Day as part of Harmony Week. Each of our classes are planning for a wonderful culinary experience with cultural performances, displays and activities. Your attendance will make the day even greater!

Please RSVP now to let us know how many people will be attending and if you would like to purchase a sausage sizzle / drink combo. Cash is requested for purchases on the day with proceeds returned to support our Enterprise Education program as part of our Pathway Plans for a meaningful and successful transition from the early years to beyond school.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Junior 4

What a great and busy start to term 1! We are so proud of how well all our students have settled back into the routines of school.

Some highlights of the first few weeks has been our family meet and greet in week three, where families were welcomed into our classroom to meet everyone. Here in J4, we made yummy fruit kebabs with our families which all the kids really enjoyed!

We have also been enjoying our new primary play equipment at break times! It has been so much fun riding on the swaying pirate ship!

Some of our students have been enjoying accessing the hydrotherapy pool as part of their physio programs and have quickly settled into the routines there as well.

In class, we are reading and learning the AUSLAN signs for wombat stew, which has been great fun to act out during English!

Unfortunately we have also had to say goodbye to our friend Jaxon, but we wish him the best of luck at his new school.

We are thrilled to see what else this term will bring!

Miss Tylah, Miss Clair, Ms Jane, and Mrs Melissa

Senior 4

What a wonderful start to 2023 as the new Senior Four class, made up of a mix of year ten and eleven students, moved into the Senior Block  transitioning with style and ease.

With a focus on rolling out new ASDAN courses with more opportunities for work placements, more school responsibility, using transport and community access, the new 'seniors on the block' are stepping up and stepping out!

With great attitudes and a new sense of team, we are feeling excited about the challenges ahead and looking forward to everything new upon our horizons.

Some stand-out events over the last couple of weeks have been the chance to have a meet and greet in the Senior 4 classroom with parents, the introduction of a larger play area for the Seniors to spread their wings and of course new staff and students at Malibu School. So, with much joy we introduce Gabriel to the Senior four class and the Malibu School Community, Gabriel has settled in very nicely.

With such a positive start to Term one 2023, the Senior Four class look forward to more newsletter opportunities to recap and reflect on many more Malibu moments.

Verity, Sam, Annette and Mitchell

Science

Junior students have been learning all about living things. They are exploring what a living thing is (plant, animal and people) and learning about life cycles. Students have been doing experiments to see how seeds grow and what they need to thrive (sun, air, water, right type of soil, nutrients).

Middle students have been learning about living things and how we can sort them into groups (mammals, insects, fish, birds, reptiles). Some students have learnt about the digestive and respiratory systems of our bodies and have made models showing how our lungs work and how our body breaks down the food we eat, and the waste leaves our body.

Senior students have been looking at our local environment and finding ways to improve school areas and keep them clean and tidy. Also, we have been learning about genetics and characteristics, finding out who can roll their tongue or who is left or right-handed. And how some people have short sightedness and what treatments are available.

Lisa

Other school related news

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Second hand uniforms!

Gilbert and Sons - Peel School Program

Malibu School is proud to be signed up to Gilbert and Sons Peel School Program. Last year, we were very grateful for the donations from Gilberts and Sons, thanks to the nomination for our school by champion customers! If you would like to help raise funds for Malibu, while shopping, please register for your points to go to Malibu. Info below!

COMMUNITY NEWS

NDIS Information for families

Please see the information below, to help our families navigate the NDIS. If you have something to share, please send it to Malibu@education.wa.edu.au

Please note, Malibu School does not make recommendations for service providers. We welcome service providers from a range of industries to attend our whole school events, such as IEP meeting nights and our Malibu Market Day in Term 4. 

Find your NDIS partner in the community

Use this map to find the partner office providing services in your local government area: 

• Western Australia Partners in the Community (PDF 234KB)

Workshops and information sessions for families

Accessing the NDIS for families with children under the age of 7

Families not yet connected with the NDIS or who have not yet received a diagnosis but there are signs of developmental delay, may be eligible under Wanslea’s Early Intervention scheme https://www.wanslea.org.au/programs/early-childhood-approach-eca. Please see below for more information.

Helping patients navigate acess to the NDIS

Preparing for your Child’s NDIS Planning Meeting:

This is suitable for parents and carers of children who have met access and have been booked for their first planning meeting. Information includes;

• Understanding your current supports
• What to bring to the planning meeting
• The planning meeting process and the type of information discussed
• Ways to manage your child's NDIS plan
• Goals for your child's plan
• Best Practice Principles for Early Childhood Intervention and what this looks like in every-day life
• Next steps

Using your Child’s NDIS Plan: 

This is suitable for parents and carers of a child with an approved NDIS plan who would like more information about the next steps for putting the plan into action. Information includes;

• Understanding the different parts of your child's plan
• Putting your child's plan into action and turning the funding into supports
• Early Childhood Intervention Best Practice Principles and choosing a service provider
• Understanding the Myplace Portal and MyNDIS app
• Next steps

Virtual NDIS Sessions

APM is running online sessions:

• How to access the NDIS
• How to use my NDIS plan
• Prepare for my NDIS plan review
• Assistive Technology
• Understanding NDIS employment options

Book now at Virtual NDIS information sessions | APM

Resource booklets for Applying for the NDIS, Creating your NDIS Plan and Using your NDIS plan

Customised Employment Network

The City of Rockingham has partnered with APM, the Local Area Coordinators for the NDIS, to form the Rockingham Customised Employment Network.

• This network is designed to empower people with disability and families to express barriers they have faced when seeking employment.
• The network will support businesses and organisations to employ people with disability using the customised employment framework.  
• The network is seeking to create a space for stakeholders to share employment opportunities for people with disability.

If you have an interest in customised employment or have a child who is currently seeking or will that will be seeking employment you are encourage to join the network. For more information  contact 9528 0333 or customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au

Links and further information

Special Disability Trusts - A way for families to plan for the long term care and accommodation needs of someone with a severe disability. Independent of NDIS supports, through Services Australia. Special Disability Trusts - Services Australia

Future Living - Participants might be able to use NDIS funding to pay for supports from providers such as Future Living, for planning, life-long supports, facilitating circles of friends or mentors, and advocacy. Future Living – We look out for your child, now & in the future.

Psychosocial disability support

Evidence of Psychological Disability and Application Form

APM NDIS Access and Resource Guide for families

Career Converstations - your voice is needed!

The Department of Education is keen to hear your voice about post-school options at their free family event. This is an important opportunity to describe your experiences or to express what you would like more of as your child transitions towards adulthood. If you are able to make the Session in Mandurah 6.30pm to 8pm on Monday 15th May, please register here.

Trishaw Rides in Rockingham

Rockingham Disability Expo 8th and 9th March - Save the date

This is the third expo at this event which features a range of employment providers, support services, practioners, NDIS providers and workers to exhibit for families. Held at the Hotel Clipper 20-30 Patterson Road, Rockingham. 

Have your say about access and inclusion in the City of Rockingham

The City of Rockingham's Strategic Community Plan is the product of a long and broad engagement with people from all walks of life, from all sections of our community.  The Strategic Community Plan establishes our community's vision for the local government's future, including aspirations and service expectations, which drives the development of our other plans, resourcing and strategies.  We seek your voice to inform our directions for the futre. 

Please click here to have your say about access and inclusion in the City of Rockingham. 

For more information, click here.

SimSam fun for all abilities

Saver Plus 2023

Saver Plus is a free financial education program that matches your savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500. While benefitiing families, each enquiry from our school community to Save Plus will give Malibu School additional entries into a draw for $2,000 worth of vouchers for education supplies. Click here for more information.

Assistive technology grants for families

Variety TechKids Grants provide assistive technology to help WA kids with disability with their communication, learning, behavioural regulation and safety. Items could include devices, C-Pens, software etc.)

Eligibility:

• The child you are applying for must reside in WA
• The child you are applying for must be aged 0-17
• The child you are applying for must have a disability or sickness (long-term health condition)

Applications close 6th March. For more information go to Variety WA Individual & Community Grants - Variety

Telethon Holiday Makers Program

Enrolments for the April Telethon Holiday Makers Program groups in Fremantle, Marangaroo and Rockingham for 10 - 18 year olds with ASD.

Dates: School holidays (weekdays only) from 11^th April to the 21^st April 
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm           U10s: 9:30am – 12:30pm

All participants must be enrolled before attending the Program. To enrol, please fill in the expression of interest form or call us on 9431 2111.

Sensory Kids Parent Information Session

This event will now be held on Thursday 23^rd March 9:30 – 11:30 at the Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre in Kwinana. There is a creche available. Tickets are available from $27.50 for concession, $33 for a single adult ticket or $49.50 for two adults in the same household. Payment plan available for tickets over $30. Register online here.

Community info and PDF Flyer