Kimi Ora School 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 specialist therapists of speech language, occupational and physiotherapy offered on site in 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.
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.
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
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: Hannah Clements, Emma NecusSpeech 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.
The student is either 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: Jenny Pearson, Louise Fane de Salis, Lee Sutton.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: Pat Gee, Dave Speden, Mel Harvey.
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 Therapists: Andrew Tutty.
Classroom Teachers: Julia Bracegirdle, Joan Britton, Jess Hall, Sue Perry, Christine Jones.Four 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.
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 teachers who works specifically with those students who have a visual impairment. These teachers are emolyed by BLENNZ (Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ). They does 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. There role is to facilitate the integration of Kimi Ora School students’ into the programme and life of Thorndon School.
Nurses: Chris Myers, Julie Hogan.Kimi Ora School employs a nurse who administers all the medication to students. Fizz also oversees the feeding and toileting 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. Ngaire plays a vital role in ensuring that communication between school and the family is smooth.
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.
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.
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. Two initiatives currently occur. 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. The senior class has an Amnesty International Group who write letters in support of human rights with a particular emphasis on adolescents who are tortured or sentenced to death.
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-story 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.
Discuss with 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.