Welcome to the Mount Hawthorn Education Support Centre
Our Vision
The aim of the Centre is to promote the abilities of each student and develop their educational, physical and social skills, knowledge and independence, in preparation for secondary schooling and for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
“…inclusion is where everyone is treated equally and has an active role in society. Hence, an inclusive society for people with disabilities is one where they: are respected; have equal access to services and facilities, and; are provided the same opportunities as non-disabled Australians.” – Disability Royal Commission 2022
Objectives
- A positive and mindful approach to learning
- Maximising independence for all students
- Ensuring all students learn to capacity
- Recognition of the differing needs of all students
- Compassion and understanding
However, the main program at Mount Hawthorn Education Support Centre is for children aged PP to Year 6, generally with an intellectual disability, for whom mainstream classes are not the best option. We are a small centre with a homely atmosphere and a high staff to students ratio that supports your child’s education. We plan a wide and varied curriculum and aim to make learning interesting and enjoyable for all students and are determined to make sure that each student receives the appropriate learning opportunities to enhance and broaden their abilities. The staff of Mount Hawthorn Education Support Centre work together with parents, guardians, members of the local community, supporting agencies and the staff and community of Mount Hawthorn Primary School, to provide a safe, socially just and supportive environment.
With a much wider intake than a mainstream primary school, we have students coming to Mount Hawthorn ESC from as far away as Nedlands. Luckily, parents do not have to drive their children to our centre as PP to Year 6 students are eligible to use special Transperth buses (assuming that we are their nearest education support centre) which pick them up at their house and bring them to school and back. Buses have an education assistant as well as the driver to assure the safety of the students. Visit the Resources Page for more information
To be eligible for the main education support program (PP to Year 6), a student needs to have an intellectual disability with an IQ lower than 70 or very high needs autism. While many students with intellectual disabilities or higher needs autism are well serviced in mainstream classes, there will always be some who would benefit from a smaller class size, more intensive learning and with a higher level of support.
Our students are integrated into mainstream classes such as Art, Sport, Music, Dance, attend some incursions and special activities and play amongst mainstream peers during breaks, so they are not isolated from the primary school community.
If you think you may have a child who would be eligible to come to us into PP – Year 6 and you are interested in considering this option, please do give us a call and come around for a visit at any time of the year.
I acknowledge and respect the Wadjuk Noongar people, the traditional custodians of the land on which I work and live and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.