1 Rhian Pospischil S00117416 Assignment cover sheet Student ID Number/s: Student Surname/s: Given names: S00117416 Pospischil Rhian Course: BED Primary School: Education Unit code: EDFD221 Unit title: Creating Inclusive Safe and Supportive Schools Due date: 22/03/13 Date submitted: 20/03/13 Lecturer-in-Charge: Geraldine Larkins Tutor: Stewart Robinson Assignment Title and/or number: Assignment 1: Letter DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY 1. This assignment is submitted in accordance with the Academic Regulations and the Academic Honesty Policy. 2. No part of this assignment has been copied from any other source without acknowledgement of the source. 3. No part of this assignment has been written by any other person, except to the extent of collaboration and/or group work as defined in the unit outline. 4. This assignment has not been recycled, using work substantially the same as work I have completed previously and which has been counted towards satisfactory completion of another unit of study credited towards another qualification, unless the Lecturer-in-Charge has granted prior written consent to do so. 5. I have made and retained a copy of this original assignment. Signature of student(s): __Rhian Pospischil______________________________ Date:__20/03/13__ 2 Rhian Pospischil S00117416 Artefact 2- EDFD221: Creating Inclusive, Safe and Supportive schoolsassignment 1 (teaching for social justice) The below annotations show an understanding of focus areas 4.1 (support student participation) and 4.4 (maintain student safety) Jackie Dickson 44 River Road Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria, 3156 John Davis 101 School Road Belgrave, Victoria, 3160 19/11/13 Dear Mr. John Davis, I am writing this letter in response to the written communication I received informing me that my daughter Whinnie Dickson has been refused enrolment for 2014 at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Primary School, based on the grounds that the school cannot adequately cater for her special needs. As a concerned parent for the overall wellbeing of my daughter, I am immensely disappointed with the school’s discriminatory decision, since Whinnie is essentially being treated differently to other children who do Rhian Pospischil S00117416 3 not suffer from obesity (Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)). In this way, firstly I am astounded that a Catholic school where the inherent dignity of the human person is a core belief has refused entry; and secondly, I am offended that I have been denied the freedom to select the school I Every child has the right to be included in the mainstream school system and feel safe at school deemed the best for my child’s development (Learning and Teaching Framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne (LTFAM), 2009, p. 4; National Framework for Values Education in Australian Schools (NFVEAS), 2005, p. 4). Therefore, even though Whinnie experiences some effects of disability due to her obesity, according to the Disability Discrimination Act Education Standards (DDAES) (2008) “students with a disability should be able to enrol in a course or a school just like any other person” (p. 4). Although it was mentioned previously by the school that due to “unjustifiable hardships” the school could not cater adequately for Whinnie’s physical needs, I believe that my daughter’s needs do not require any “reasonable adjustments”; instead it is necessary that she simply receives some extra support and consideration from her peers and teachers (DDAES, 2008, p. 9). In this way, despite the whole family taking a proactive approach to improve Whinnie’s obesity, such as replacing much of her screen viewing time to regular family walks through the neighbourhood, her condition still causes her to lose her Knowledge of the importance of putting systems in place to support all children’s individual learning, including those with special needs breath frequently and puts considerable strain on her joints and muscles; therefore, Whinnie would simply require some “special measures” to be put into place (DDAES, 2008, p. 9). Here, since her cognitive abilities and social skills are average she would not require an integration aide; however, due to her reduced motor functions she would require extra care and consideration in physical education classes. For example, allowing her to have regular breaks and sometimes participate in modified activities times would be necessary (Smith, 2007, p. 57). Furthermore, it would be beneficial for Whinnie if the classroom teacher could negotiate a stairs buddy for her, to ensure Evidence of collaboration with other teachers to support the child physically throughout learning experiences Rhian Pospischil S00117416 4 that she is able to climb up stairs within the school in a safe manner. Lastly, due to the stress continuous bending puts on her joints and muscles, allowing Whinnie to sit on a chair when the class is engaging in tasks on the floor would also be beneficial to her physical well-being. By incorporating these measures, Whinnie’s “integrity” is being preserved and protected, as she is being included in all activities and can be confident that [she] will receive support in the face of any threats to [her] safety or wellbeing” (NFVEAS, 2005, p. 4; National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF), 2010, p. 2). Knowledge of appropriate strategies to support holistic well-being and safety at school; learning opportunities are inclusive and supportive for all students Considering St. Bartholomew’s has denied Whinnie the ability to be part of the school community, it is clear that her right to have “the opportunity to participate in education on the same basis as students without a disability” is being neglected (DDAES, 2008, p. 9). In addition, it is obvious that “the strong interconnections between student safety, student wellbeing and learning” is not being represented at the school since Whinnie’s intellectual, emotional and physical interests have not been of “primary consideration in all decisions” made (NSSF, 2010, p. 2; Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2007, p. 1). In this way, I am again saddened that a school with a vision signifying the importance of having a commitment to social justice and the common Supporting a child throughout all areas of development is essential to ensure safe and supportive learning environments good, is not representing a “safe and supportive” school where “all members of the school community feel respected and included” (LTFAM, 2009, p. 4; NSSF, 2010, p. 2). Similarly, in the act of refusing her enrolment her right to be given a “fair go” in which “pursue[ing] and protect[ing] the common good where all people are treated fairly for a just society” is again being neglected (NFVEAS, 2005, p. 4). In the same way, her right to an “education [that] should develop each child’s personality, talents and abilities to the fullest” is not being exercised, since she is essentially being excluded from this opportunity (UNICEF, #29). Therefore, by Teaching for social justice is a primary aim of Australian schools Rhian Pospischil S00117416 5 refusing my daughter’s enrolment, the school is failing to build positive relationships within the school and wider community that will enable the enhancement of overall student wellbeing and development (NSSF, 2010, p. 7). Finally, I would like to point out that inclusion, irrespective of individual differences is not only essential at a school and community level but also on a federal level. In this way, the Social Inclusion Policy according to the Commonwealth of Australia (2009) aims to ensure that “every Australian, wherever and whoever they are, has a chance to develop themselves and participate fully in community life” (foreword). Thus, by refusing Whinnie’s enrolment, St. Bartholomew’s Parish Primary School is not providing an equal opportunity for all children “to benefit from educational opportunities designed to meet their basic learning needs” (UNESCO, 2000, p. 26). I believe that it is very clear that there are various legislative documents that challenge St. Bartholomew’s decision to refuse the enrolment of my child Whinnie Dickson. In this way, it is discrimination and a breach of social inclusion that all (Australian) children, regardless of whether they experience the effects of a disability, should be denied access to a school of their choice (DDA, 2005, p. 8). Additionally, since Whinnie’s obesity merely requires some “special measures” to be put into place, I can comfortably conclude that the school can in fact cater for her special needs (DDAES, 2008, p. 9). Finally, since St. Bartholomew’s is a Catholic primary school, it is important that traditional morals and values such as protecting the integrity of each individual, as well as making decisions for the good of all members of society are constantly practised (LTFAM, 2009, p. 4). Federal legislation emphasises that all Australian’s safety and well-being must be supported and maintained Rhian Pospischil S00117416 6 On these terms, I would appreciate if the decision for Whinnie Dickson’s refused enrolment be revised. Please contact me if you desire to discuss any aspect I have mentioned in this letter. Yours Sincerely, Jackie Dickson Rhian Pospischil S00117416 7 References Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2005). Disability Discrimination Act Education Standards. [Information Booklet]. Retrieved from http://www.ddaedustandards.info/ Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2010). National Safe Schools Framework. [Information Booklet]. Retrieved from http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psyab&q=National+safe+schhol+framework+pdf&oq=National+safe +schhol+framework+pdf&gs_l=hp.3...1179.9283.1.9390.34.21.0. 0.0.0.1140.3252.7-3.3.0...0.0...1c.1.7.hp._9skxvHGxs&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44011176,d.dGY&fp=ee7b e92d76565c99&biw=1024&bih=449 Australian Government Department of Education Science and Training. (2005). National Framework for Values Education in Australian Schools. [Teacher resource]. Retrieved from http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/valueseducation/pages/default/200 37/?reFlag=1 Catholic Education Office Archdiocese of Melbourne. (2009). A Learning and Teaching Framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. [Teacher resource]. Retrieved from http://www.ceomelb.catholic.edu.au/uploadedFiles/CEOMFramework-20pp.pdf Commonwealth of Australia. (2007). The Australian Public Service Social Inclusion policy design and delivery toolkit. [Information Booklet]. Retrieved from http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psyab&q=The+Australian+Public+Service+Social+Inclusion+policy+d esign+and+delivery+toolkit&oq=The+Australian+Public+Service+ Social+Inclusion+policy+design+and+delivery+toolkit&gs_l=hp.3. .0.8639.8639.1.10874.1.1.0.0.0.0.560.560.51.1.0...0.0...1c.1.7.hp.eKGNWDiMWrQ&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf. &bvm=bv.44011176,d.dGY&fp=ee7be92d76565c99&biw=1024& bih=449 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. (2007). Australia’s commitment to children’s rights and reporting to the UN. Rhian Pospischil S00117416 8 [Factsheet]. Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/children/aus_co mmitment_to_children_rights.html Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing. (2005). Disability Discrimination Act. [Act]. Retrieved from http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psyab&q=disabiity+discrimination+act+pdf&oq=disabiity+discrimina tion+act+pdf&gs_l=hp.3..0i13l10.4223.13541.1.13623.32.27.0.0. 0.2.902.14170.38j1j9j7.25.0...0.0...1c.1.7.hp.vYuyQLC8zOw&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r _qf.&bvm=bv.44011176,d.dGY&fp=ee7be92d76565c99&biw=10 24&bih=449 Smith, A. (2007). Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. The inclusion of pupils with special educational needs in secondary school physical education, 9(1), 37-54. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com.ezproxy1.acu.edu.au/doi/abs/10.1 080/1740898042000208115 UNICEF. (n.d.). A Summary of the Rights Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. [Factsheet]. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
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