Dear Parents,

Due to Covid-19 and remote learning, I regret to inform you that we are drawing our UC Occupational Therapy program and partnership to an early close this year. We will recommence the program in 2022.

The pilot program has been very successful with many celebrations. We have supported 206 students from Kinder to Year 5, provided additional assessments and observations to a number of students from Preschool to Year 3, including screening all the Kinder students.

20 Occupational Therapy students have participated in the on-campus MTS program and thoroughly enjoyed their time. In fact, 4 OT students volunteered to attend an additional day at MTS for part of the time!

There have been many benefits for our staff also as we participated in OT workshops focused on attention and sensory processing. Additional professional conversations to support the individual needs of our students and build teacher capacity have also been very beneficial. The UC students have benefited from understanding the complexities of the classroom and collaborating with class teachers.

The online workshops offered to parents at the end of last term were very successful and well attended by our families.

We have learnt a great deal through the trial of the pilot program and are in the process of reviewing and planning for 2022. The opportunity to initiate such a unique partnership has been exciting and challenging. We are leading the way in exploring how Allied Health Services and Education can work together to support the needs of our students.

We would like to thank all the OT students involved for their enthusiasm, energy and willingness to participate in our initiative. We extend a special thank you to Jacqui Etherington, Occupational Therapy Clinical Educator, for her constant support, enthusiasm and professionalism. Jacqui has accepted a job with the Education Directorate and will not continue with us next year. We wish her all the very best in her new role and look forward to continuing our partnership with Jacqui’s replacement.

In the coming weeks, parents will receive an evaluation survey and feedback for their child where appropriate.

Karen Garrity

Diverse Learning Coordinator