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John Wollaston Anglican Community School

THE POWER OF SPEECH

Students with hearing loss are thriving at John Wollaston Anglican Community School thanks to the Telethon Speech and Hearing Outpost Support Program.

The School is one of just 12 schools in the Perth metropolitan area, and the only Anglican school, operating a Telethon Speech and Hearing Outpost (TSH) on the campus which allows students to be fully immersed in all aspects of school life.

Located in the Learning Enrichment Centre, the Outpost supports students of all ages in individual and small group settings. There are currently six students with moderate to severe hearing loss who receive support through the Program.

Principal Anne Ford said the School was fortunate to have a Telethon Speech and Hearing Outpost.

“Our Teachers of the Deaf and Education Assistants play an important role in supporting students with hearing loss so they can thrive in a classroom setting,” Ms Ford said.

“Students receive assistance from outpost staff based on their individual needs with support covering areas such as extra language, speech, listening, social and emotional development.” JOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Students take an active part in school life with their peers and are only withdrawn from classes if necessary.

Teacher of the Deaf, Kendra Buss said Outpost students were able to participate in the whole school program as well as receive specialist instruction from the TSH team.

“Parents are very appreciative that their children can learn alongside their peers in a caring, inclusive environment, whilst receiving specialist support at school to help them reach their potential. TSH students enjoy the opportunity to engage with each other, with one student recently saying he felt part of a ‘tribe’,” she said.

The School hold an annual TSH Power of Speech event which celebrates the development and achievements of TSH students in Years 1 to 6, exposing students to public speaking and helping them develop the high-level skills required to give a three-minute speech in front of more than 150 people.

In 2020, Year 3 student Abeer Ghous, won the Category 2 Award for his speech, ‘Be Kind, Be Strong’. In front of family members, VIPs and TSH staff, Abeer engaged and impressed the audience and judges with his explanation of what it means to be kind, leaving the

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Images 1. Abeer Ghous reading with Teacher of the Deaf, Kendra Buss. 2. Education Assistant, Judith Coffey assisting Year 7 TSH student, Noah Barton. 3. Insert: 2020 graduate, Skye McKennay 4. Abeer Ghous at the 2020 TSH Power of Speech event. 5. ELC students with their loud socks Abeer encourages more TSH students to get involved in the competition and said: “The Power of Speech is for everyone. I was nervous before the event but proud afterwards. I really enjoyed listening to the other speeches too.”

A DREAM JOB FOR SKYE John Wollaston Anglican Community School 2020 graduate, Skye McKennay is well on her way to her dream career as a qualified chef.

As part of the School’s (Vocational Education and Training (VET) program, Skye undertook a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and won a School Curriculum and Standards Authority VET Certificate of Excellence for Tourism, Hospitality and Events.

But Skye said none of it would be possible without the support of the School’s Telethon Speech and Hearing Outpost.

“The support I received over the years was absolutely phenomenal. If I ever needed help, no matter the time of day, someone would be available and ready to assist,” she said.

“As a VET student, the collaborative effort between the TSH Outpost Program and my teachers was outstanding and really improved the way I learned as a student.

“With an overwhelming amount of support from my VET Coordinator, Mrs Susan Leach and the TSH staff, I was able to confidently push myself to achieve many of my goals throughout my schooling career. One such goal led me to apply for an apprenticeship as a Chef and pursue my dream career,” Skye said.

“My time at John Wollaston gave me many opportunities to showcase my skills and volunteer my time at community events which really helped me get my foot in the door.”

Skye is currently completing her Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Bentley TAFE and finishing her fulltime apprenticeship at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

LET’S GET LOUD Staff and students at John Wollaston Anglican Community School donned loud and crazy socks recently to raise more than $800 for Telethon Speech and Hearing (TSH).

Principal Anne Ford said the day was an annual event during Hearing Awareness Week and supported TSH and the School’s Outpost.

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