Anula Primary & Educational

Speech Pathology & Therapy Services

Expo and study tour April 2-4th

2014

Dr Roslyn Neilson

Dr Neilson is a Speech -Language Pathologist, specialising in children with reading difficulties. She completed a Ph.D. in 1998 at the University of Wollongong on the topic of Phonological Awareness and Word Recognition Skills in Children with Reading Difficulties. She runs a private clinical practice, has worked in local schools and schools in remote Indigenous communities, provides university lectures and professional in -services, and devotes time to research. This research has involved the development of several phonological awareness assessment tools, including the Sutherland Phonological Awareness Test -Revised (SPAT-R)and the School Entry Alphabetic and Phonological Awareness Readiness Test (SEAPART).

Speech Difficulties and Literacy: The Good, the Bad and the Fuzzy.

If children aren’t pronouncing words clearly, does this affect their reading? The answer is that it depends on the kinds of errors that children are making. This discussion will outline the kinds of speech patterns that teachers can be on the lookout for in the classroom, and will present some suggestions about what teachers might do when a child’s speech doesn’t sound right –suggestions for supporting literacy learning as well as speech

Literacy Difficulties: Getting the Phon back into Phonics.When children struggle to learn to recognise and spell words, their problem typically involves not a visual difficulty, but rather some weakness at the level of phonological processing. The weaknesses may be subtle, and it is very easy to take it for granted that children have the relevant skills that support learning to master the alphabetic code. This workshop will explore aspects of phonological processing that are relevant in the context of learning to read and spell. Guidelines will be provided for assessing the skills, and for supporting children who are finding the task difficult, using teaching strategies that can complement any reading program.

Flight to Warruwi School

Study tour begins - 31st of March 2014. Sue and Roslyn fly to Warrawi Primary School.

Location:Warruwi School is on Goulburn Island, located in the Arufura Sea about 300 kilometres north-east of Darwin, has a travel buddy named Munburri (Maung, the local language, for turtle) who has travelled around the Northern Territory.

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Sue working with the beautiful children at Warruwi Primary School

It was such a privilege to be able to share the visit to Warruwi with Roslyn Frogs and all!

“The Anula teachers make the difference.” Sue

"Witnessing the Kathy Walker approach first hand was inspiring. Both students and teachers were so captivated in the learning experience“ Anna Kovacs

Study tour continuedKathy Walker Early Learning ApproachAnula Primary School

Debrief of WLA lessonwith Teachers

“(Walker Learning Approach shows) Students taking ownership of their learning.” Connie

Great learning with the Tribes approach thank you Coleen!

Tribes approach

ESP&TS Occupational Therapy in action at Anula Primary School

Debrief of Occupational Therapy Lessons with Teachers

Students enjoying the engaging in-class Speech lesson

"Captivating and exciting activities that everyone enjoyed participating in".  

LANDMARK EVENT! Official release of the ‘SEAPART’ - School Entry Alphabetic and Phonological Awareness Readiness Test

Stimulating discussions!

"Teachers had a wealth of knowledge and it was fabulous to get the opportunity to pick their brains“ Anna

Exceptional professional development presentations were held during the study tour week. Guest Speaker Dr Roslyn Neilson presented:1. ‘Speech Difficulties and Literacy the good, the bad and the fuzzy.’ 2. ‘Literacy difficulties: Getting the Phon back into Phonics’

“I appreciated hearing Ros’s talk and the wonderful information she provided us with. It was fantastic”! Daniella

Dr. Ros Neilson is a brilliant presenter who is an inspiration to listen to!" Claudia

“The Welcome to Country and Ash’s own story of speechtherapy touched me deeply- a really moving experience”

Sue with Teachers at Darwin ESP&TS Expo. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the innovative Speech /Occupational Therapy programs and Teacher Professional learning programs offered by ESP&TS.

To all concerned, Thank you for all the effort and time that you have taken to provide us all with the opportunity to engage in both the Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology and Therapy sessions. Having the opportunity to listen and talk to Dr Roslyn Neilson was a great privilege and all the staff at Wagaman felt that through Dr Roslyn’s talks they had increased their own understanding on ‘The ‘Good, the Bad and the Fuzzy’. Additionally, analysing, understanding and planning for students that are experiencing literacy difficulties. The occupational therapy workshop has promoted in us here at Wagaman Primary a renewed desire to include more varied tasks and supports to promote the fine motor skills needed to become fluent and confident writers. We are already busy making the fine motor kits that Erica showed us. The only drawback for me was that on the Thursday afternoon I found the room very stuffy and I also struggled to hear Dr Roslyn. This made me quite tired and I felt I was not able to give my whole attention to the presentation. The presentation itself was very illuminating and of deep interest to me. I am aware that the behind scenes organisation often runs into many hours. Thank you again and I hope that it will become a regular event on our schools calendar. Kind Regards

Carol PuticaSenior TeacherWagaman Primary School Wagaman Terrace Wagaman, Northern Territory, 0811

Expo displays3rd April 2014

Speechies & OT’s having fun in Darwin

Thanks also to (from left): Anna Kovacs (Sydney Speech Pathologist,) Erica Farrugia (Sydney OT), Claudia Westcott (Student Speech Pathologist) Daniella Votano (Assistant manager Darwin branch), Amber Brooker (Darwin Speech Pathologist).

"A huge thank you to Sue for this amazing experience in Darwin“Erica