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The Role of the Therapist
Speech Language Therapist
Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists
Classroom Teachers
Teacher for the Visually Impaired
Teacher based at Thorndon School
Nurses
Teacher Aides
Administration
Consultation
Funding
Contribution to the community
History
Enrolment Procedure
Kimi Ora means "seeking well being in
health" or "to be made whole." Kimi Ora School offers an holistic
approach to education. Working with the family we aim to achieve the
best for your child. The therapies of speech language therapy,
occupational therapy and physiotherapy offered on site, on an ongoing basis, add
an extra dimension to your child's education.
Kimi Ora School accepts enrolments from
students throughout the greater Wellington area including the Hutt
Valley, Kapiti Coast, Porirua Basin and Wellington City. If you wish
to enrol your child at Kimi Ora School contact Don Stevens,
Principal.
Enrolling at Kimi Ora School will enable your
child to access therapies on a daily basis. In the first instance
contact the Principal, Don Stevens, who will arrange a mutually
convenient time for you to come and visit and view the school in
operation.
Students enrol at Kimi Ora School for a variety
of reasons. The period of enrolment may be for short term to have an
intensive programme of therapy, or the enrolment may be for a number of
years.
Dual enrolments are also possible. In this
situation a student attends their local school and Kimi Ora School. Any
dual enrolment relies on both the schools involved being willing to
accept this situation.
The Ministry of Education provides free
transport to school to parents from areas covering Wellington City,
Hutt Valley, Wainuiomata, Eastbourne, Porirua Basin and the Kapiti
Coast. The transport system works in cooperation with other schools
that have students with special needs.
What the Education Review Office (ERO) says about Kimi Ora School.
These statements are contained in Kimi Ora School's latest ERO review, June 2009.
“Students receive a high
quality integrated programme of education and therapy... ”
“Highly effective
classroom practices provide well coordinated teaching and learning... ”
“..high expectation of
students combined with patient and appropriate assistance, deliberate and
focused teaching which is reinforced by tailored, considered and relevant
activities and culture of encouraging students to communicate."
A full copy of the report is available on request, or it may be viewed on www.ero.govt.nz
School Organisation
Principal: Don Stevens
Don
Stevens has been Principal of Kimi Ora School since 2001. He has an
extensive background in special education. This includes both
special school and mainstream special education environments.
Deputy Principals: Christine Jones, Julia Bracegirdle
Christine Jones and Julia Bracegirdle bring a wide range of Special Education expertise to the Senior Management Team
Team Leader Therapy: Lee Sutton
Lee Sutton is an experienced Paediatric Physiotherapist who manages the Therapy Team.
Therapy
It is the work of our highly specialised
therapists that gives Kimi Ora School its character. Together with the
class teacher and parents, we strive to enable our students to achieve
their full potential.
Speech Language Therapists: Emma Necus, Hannah Clements.
Speech Language Therapy is available at Kimi Ora School to assess and develop the student's communication and feeding skills.
The Speech Language Therapist provides an
appropriate individual programme for each student that allows them to
develop their skills to their full potential. The programme is
implemented with the cooperation and support of all staff and the
student's parents/caregivers.
Student's are encouraged to
communicate verbally or by alternate forms. Hand signs, picture symbol
communication boards, eye gaze boards and electronic communicators with
voice are all used.
The therapist provides on going assessment
and supervision of all communication and feeding programmes and is
available for consultation with parents and caregivers.
Physiotherapists: Lee Sutton, Jenny Pearson, Louise Fane de Salis.
Kimi Ora School employs two full time physiotherapists.
Most students are seen by the physiotherapist on a daily basis.
Physiotherapy uses physical means to develop and maximise the use of
functional skills.
The Physiotherapists provide assessment programmes that
meet the individual student's needs and facilitate their learning.
Programmes that provide for the development of gross motor skills are
developed. This takes many forms including individual and group
sessions, hydrotherapy, swimming, games and sensory programmes.
In 2002 Kimi Ora School introduced the MOVE (Mobility
Opportunities Via Education) Programme. This programme aims to maximise
the physical functional achievement of students. Through practising a
set of sequential developmental skills each student aims to build on
their pre-existing ability.
The Kimi Ora School Physiotherapists are involved in
splint/orthotic prescription, wheelchair assessment and adjustments and
the provision of standing frames and walking aids where appropriate.
Our Physiotherapists liaise with other school staff,
families/caregivers, hospital specialists, orthotists and health
therapists. They will also attend specialist appointments with the
children, if requested by the family.
Occupational Therapists: Mel Harvey, Dave Speden, Pat Gee.
The Occupational Therapists at Kimi Ora School assists the
students to function as independently as possible and provides therapy
which is centered on the needs of the student.
The Occupational Therapists provides a programme that aims
to facilitate the development of skills for daily living. This involves
assessment of the student and development of an individual or group
therapy programme that can involve development of their sensory,
perceptual, fine motor, cognitive, social and self-management skills.
A technicraft programme is also provided where the students are introduced to leisure activities.
The Occupational Therapists identifies the need for
specific equipment. Examples of such equipment are aids to facilitate
feeding, writing, teeth cleaning or equipment to enable the student to
access a computer. Furniture and accessories are adapted to ensure that
the student is in the best functional position and is comfortable.
The Occupational Therapist liaises with other colleagues,
visiting therapists and technicians, paediatricians and others, in
assisting the student who is experiencing difficulties in school
associated with their development of sensory systems.
Music Therapist: Andrew Tutty.
Fiona Hearn and Andrew Tutty, Registered Music Therapists, work part time at Kimi Ora School.
Music Therapists use music to work towards the student's identified non
musical goals. Music therapists work with both individuals and groups.
Music therapy can include musical improvisation, singing, movement to
music and self expression through musical communication.
Classroom Teachers: Julia Bracegirdle, Joan Britton, Sue Perry, Christine Jones, Jess Hall.
Five classes cater for the curricular and academic
development of the student. These focus on assessing where the
students' capability is and then developing a programme that meets the
needs the student. The programme in the classrooms is based on the NZ
Curriculum Framework. The focus of many students' programme is
developing skills that enable them to participate within their
environment. The programme can have an emphasis on communication,
mobilty or life skills.
All students use computer technology to access the
curriculum. A teacher or teacher aide works individually with the
student, if required, when using the computer as a tool for learning.
Older students are involved in a transition programme
which has a focus on life after school. Life skills, supported learning
unit standards and participation and involvement in the community are
the focus in this class.
Teachers for the Visually Impaired: Karen Gilligan and Aleisha Mahony .
Kimi Ora School has two part time teachers who
are employed by BLENNZ (Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ).
These teachers work specifically with those students who have a visual
impairment. These teachers do not have a specific class but
work with students on a one to one basis and also work on supporting
students in class.
Teacher based at Thorndon School: Liz Harrison
Kimi Ora School and Thorndon School share a common
boundary. A teacher from Kimi Ora School is based at Thorndon School.
Their role is to facilitate the integration of Kimi Ora School and
Thorndon School
students. Kimi Ora students attend some aspects of Thorndon School.
Thorndon School students participate in some aspects of Kimi Ora
School's programme.
Nurses: Julie Hogan, Christine Myers.
Kimi Ora School employs a nurse who administers all the
medication to students. The nurse oversees the physical well being of students.
Teacher Aides.
Kimi Ora School uses some of the Ongoing Reviewable
Resourcing Scheme (ORRS) funding to provide teacher aides. The Teacher
Aides fulfil key roles in the support of the therapies and education
provided by Kimi Ora School. These include assistance in the delivery
of the educational programs being taught at Kimi Ora School. Assistance
with feeding and toileting is another role of the Teacher Aide
Administration: Leanne Brooks
Frequently contact between home and school occurs by
phone, through the school office. Leanne plays a vital role in ensuring
that communication between school and the family is smooth.
Consultation
Parents are always welcome to visit the school and make contact when
they desire. We appreciate their active participation in the life of
our school.
It is fundamental to the well being of the student that
there is a close liaison between all of the student's therapists and
the class teacher. Goals are co-operatively established in the best
interests of the students. Parents are actively involved in the
establishment of programmes and on-going planning.
An essential element of Kimi Ora School's functioning is
the consultation process. Individual Educational Programmes are
formulated every six months or at more frequent intervals if that is
desired. IEPs normally occur in terms one and three. This involves the
parents/caregivers and all staff concerned with the student.
Funding.
Special Education is primarily funded through students
being on the ORRS. This funding is attached to the child and varies
depending on whether they are classified as having High or Very High
needs. All our students at Kimi Ora School are under this funding
scheme. The students who are verified under this scheme generate money,
which contributes to the employment of a physiotherapist, teacher aides
and other associated costs with providing a programme for the student
with special needs. The student also generates a staffing component
that is used to employ teaching staff.
Contribution to the Community.
Many organisations and individuals assist
Kimi Ora School with the education and therapy of our students. An
aspect of our philosophy is that students should also contribute to the
community in which they live. The
students grow seedlings for Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay. These
are given to the marae, who plant them as part of their project to turn
the hillside back into bush.
History.
The Wellington Education Board established
Kimi Ora School in 1951, as a school for students' who had physical
disabilities, primarily cerebral palsy. The original site was an old
two-storey house in Hobson Street, Thorndon. This site is now part of
Wellington Girls' College's playing field. In 1973 a new purpose built
school was opened at 21 Turnbull Street, Thorndon. This is our current
site, which also has an entrance from Hobson Crescent.
Enrolment Procedure.
Discuss with Don Stevens, the Principal the current level
of enrolments. He will be able to indicate the current number of
students on the roll.
An upper limit of 30 students has been placed on Kimi Ora
School. This is due to the physical constraints of our small site. When
the roll reaches 30 a waiting list is established. A copy of the
waiting list guidelines is contained in the information pack. if you
would like an information pack please contact the school.
