Mackay West State School Special Education

 … because everyone is special!

The Mackay West Special Education Unit is an integral part of Mackay West State School's philosophy of catering for the needs of all students.

Special Education involves working with students who have diagnosed disabilities recognised by Education Queensland.  This includes students with Physical Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Speech Language Impairment, Visual Impairment, Intellectual Impairment and a range of Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

The team working with our students with disabilities here at Mackay West also provides service to Central, Dundula and Walkerston State Schools.  This keeps us very busy!

We have seen students make huge progress, from learning to sit at their desk in class, being able to write their name, completing maths activities, improving their reading ability, talking more clearly and listening carefully to instructions, through to playing with friends at lunchtime and participating on camps.  We have been there with them for it all! 

Sometimes their achievements take longer and they have to try so much harder than other students, but this makes it so much more rewarding when their goals are achieved.  We are very proud of all of the students we work with.

The 2008 Encouragement Award this year went to Brandon Jansen.  Brandon made huge improvements in all areas.  He is learning to control his emotions and has been concentrating more on his work.  He has made huge gains in his maths, writing and his reading.  Brandon has also been working hard on developing friendships.  Well done Brandon and congratulations!

2008's year seven graduates were Aaron Edwards, Luke McIntosh and Rosanne Taylor.  We have all enjoyed watching you grow and become young adults.  Congratulations on working so hard through your primary school years to achieve your goals.  We wish you all the very best.

Our team in Special Education includes:

Head of Special Education:              Linda Brown

Special Education Teachers:           Melissa Carrington, Erin Gibson,  Julie Minicke

Special Education Teacher Aides:  Fran Bell, Vicki Hatfield  

Special Education Admin Aides:     Leisa Shaw, Lorraine Todd 

I’m Special,

I’m Me!

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people reading

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people writing

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people working hard

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people trying

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people learning

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people cooking

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people smiling

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see friends

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people caring

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people dancing

looking at me.

Look in our class window,

what do you see?

I see people having fun

looking at me.

Looking in the mirror,

what do I see

I see someone who can

read, write, work hard, try, learn, cook, smile, be a friend, care, dance and have fun.

I can see someone very special,

I can see me!

Written for all of our special friends who do all of these things in the Special Education Unit at Mackay West State School.