Dear Parents and Carers of our student community and Friends of Riverside ESC,

Welcome to the 2019 school year. Mandurah is growing and so is our school -- we have a record enrolment of 63 students with several more inquiries in various stages of processing. Of course, part of the growth is demographically explained, but it is much more than that. With pride in our staff, our programs and our whole school, we can justifiably say we are good at what we do -- nurturing your child's potential for a meaningful and contributory life. “My boy has done so well since moving to Riverside ESC” was an observation shared by a grateful parent at reception today.

Rhymetime is a fun and educational group for young children and their parents/carers. The program is designed to improve early literacy skills and engage with one another through the learning of rhymes.

School Board

Riverside Schools is a combined board between Riverside Primary School and Riverside Education Support Centre. It is comprised of community, parent and staff representing both schools with a holistic focus. Members are nominated and elected for a 3 year term.

Roles and Responsibilities of School Boards

The role of a school council (board) is outlined in the School Education Act 1999. In essence, the role of school board is one of setting the long term future for the school and maintaining oversight (not management) of the school’s operation. It is not about running the school – that is the job of the principal. It is about providing additional expertise to help the school achieve the best outcomes for the students.

An Independent Public School Board will operate with functions consistent with the legislative role of school councils.

The responsibilities of an Independent Public School Board are to:

• work within the Department of Education’s relevant legislation and regulations;
• contribute to the School Delivery and Performance Agreement and the Business Plan. (These documents summarise what the school wants to achieve in the future and how it plans to get there; the agreement will be signed off by the chair of the Board, Principal and Director General);
• endorse and review the annual budget (the budget summarises the income received annually from the Department of Education and other sources; It also lists planned expenditure, including salaries);
• assist with the formulation of codes of conduct (guiding principles designed to influence decisions and actions that the school takes);
• review the performance of the school;
• create interest in the school within and across the community;
• assist with principal selection when a vacancy arises (the chair of the School Board will be a member of the selection panel);
• approve fees, charges, contributions and items of personal use (booklists);
• approve extra cost optional components of programs;
• approve arrangements for sponsorship and advertising;
• liaise with other committees within the school e.g. the P&C;
• hold one open meeting each year to report to the school community; and
• provide advice to the principal on religious education and related activities.

The School Board does not:

• manage the day to day running of the school.(for example, it does not employ staff, decide which classes students will be assigned to, or resolve issues relating to individual teachers and students and/or parents);
• discuss individual issues relating to teachers, staff or parents – these are very clearly management roles and therefore the responsibility of the principal;
• represent specific interest groups, or permit special interests to dominate the agenda of the Board;
• intervene in the educational instruction of students;
• purchase land, buildings or motor cars, nor enter into hire purchase agreements or obtain credit or loans, unless permission is given by the Minister; and
• performance manage the principal or any other staff member.

Role of School Board members

Parent members of School Boards bring their experience as parents at the school, and the views and context of the wider school community to School Board meetings.

Community members bring a particular skill to the School Board. This may include business, accounting or building skills, or some other skill that the school is looking for at that time.

Department of Education employees bring their educational expertise to School Board meetings.

Riverside ESC is committed to a journey of continuous improvement across all aspects of the school. An annual survey of parents and carers, conducted as a voluntary activity, helps to monitor and strengthen that commitment while also satisfying our governing requirements as an Independent Public School.

The 2016 Annual Survey has yielded results beyond our expectations, with every response to questions being either "Agree" (13%) or "Strongly Agree" (87%).

Riverside Education Support Centre partners with Riverside Primary School (RPS) to provide an integrated learning environment for children of all abilities.

Contact RPS for information about enrolments and programs via their website at riversideps.wa.edu.au or by calling 08 9534 0300 during school office hours.

RESC is pleased to provide its Business Plan for the 2013-2015 period (updated at the start of Term 4, 2015).

Business Plan 2013-2015 (pdf file)

Riverside ESC’s emphasis throughout the educational journey is on shared learning: the children, the family and education staff learn from each other and together we make progress that ultimately benefits each and every child.

Riverside Education Support Centre offers classes ranging from Kindergarten through Year 6. Children qualify to attend Riverside ESC after being assessed for any of the following:

• Intellectual Disability diagnosed by a psychologist and according to the DSM5 Criteria
• Autism Spectrum Disorder with identified High Educational Needs
• Global Developmental Delay (when diagnosed in the 12 months preceding Kindy enrolment)
• Severe Mental Health disorder in some instances (please contact the Principal for details around this criteria)
• Some complex physical conditions may be eligible and should be discussed with the Principal for guidance.

Classes are generally composite, made up of children at different year levels. Our classes take into consideration varying learning abilities, behavioural challenges and requirements for hygienic and medical support, enabling the best possible distribution of teacher and staff resources.

2019

At the beginning of 2019 we have 63 enrolments, the highest enrolment in the 24 years since opening in 1995, and new inquiries are in progress. Students are spread across 7 classrooms.

2018

RESC has opened in 2018 with 51 student enrolments. The new administration block has been completed at a school-funded cost of approximately $250,000, providing rooms for the Deputy Principal and Manager of Corporate Services and a refreshed reception area.

T3 commenced with 52 enrolments, three pending enrolments and two enrolment inquiries -- good indications of our growing status as a school of choice and ends with 56.

2017

This year, RESC has maintained enrolments similar to 2016, 54 at the start of the year and 59 at the commencement of Term 2.

A Deputy Principal role was approved by the Department of Education for the school.

A new bicycle track aimed at building student confidence and awareness has been completed, a sensory playground incorporating musical experiences has been installed, a new amentities block commissioned and construction work on a revamped administration building has started.

2016

Riverside ESC enrolments stand at 59 at the end of Term 3, more than 10% up on the same time last year.

2015

This year is our first as a K-6 school, including pre-primary. With the transition of both Year 6 and Year 7 to high school at the end of 2014, our numbers have dropped to 45. Reflecting Mandurah's status as one of Australia’s fastest growing outer suburban municipalities, 2015 has commmenced with several new enrolment enquiries. Kindergarten is opened for the first time.

At the commencement of Term 4 enrolments have grown to 53 with several new inquiries received for 2016.

On October 30, Riverside Primary Schools celebrated 20 years in operation.

2014

'Bigger and better' marks the beginning of 2014. Riverside ESC grows to seven classrooms and a start-up enrolment of 57 students. A Pre-Primary 1 class has been added so that children can commence their learning journey earlier than has been possible in previous years.

This is the final year we will have Year 7 students; as from 2015 Year 7 is incorporated into high schools in W.A.

2013

2013 sees the beginning of a new era for the school, which is now operating as an Independent Public School under the direction of the WA Department of Education.

As for last year, 2013 commenced with five classrooms. The school received a number of late enrolments during term 1 with students transitioning from other schools, and finished the year with just over 50 students. This necessitated the addition of a new classroom which came into operation at the start of Term 3.

2012

The school year commences the year with five classrooms and 48 confirmed enrolments.

Business plan development, a requirement of Independent School operation commencing 2013, commences with a workshop helping to define direction, objectives and milestones.

Mid-year, the school expanded to six classes and 50 enrolments, enabling the delivery of more one-on-one activities and guided learning.

Late term 3, Principal Jenny Crake retires. Jim Douglas takes up the role of Principal at the start of Term 4.

2011

Riverside ESC is granted status as an Independent School operating under the auspices of the W.A. Department of Education.

At the commencement of Term 3 a fifth classroom was opened, as enrolments grows past 40.

2010

Mid 2010 a new classroom is added to accommodate student growth, bringing the number of classrooms to four.

1995

Riverside ESC started operations, opening as part of the combined Riverside primary schools.

 

The Combined Schools Board

The Riverside Schools Board consists of elected community, parent and staff representatives from the Primary School and the Education Support Centre. The School Board meets regularly to maintain an overview of operations for both schools and ensure ongoing compliance with the School Board Constitution and Code of Conduct. They also take part in planning, monitoring and reviewing school priorities and policies.

The School Board sets and approves annual voluntary contributions, personal items lists and endorse the schools’ development plans.

The elected chairperson for 2019 is the Hon. David Templeman MLA.

In 2017, members of the Board undertook professional development pertaining to the work and responsibilities of this office, led by Emeritus Professor Jo Barker (Curtin University). The course covered effective management, board responsibilities, scope of board membership, involving the community, addressing key priorities and setting appropriate and achievable strategies. A major outcome was the creation of a Vision Statement for the Combined Schools Board:

“Providing strategic assistance to support the schools in meeting present and future business plan visions”

Parents and Citizens Association

The Riverside Primary Schools P&C Association (RSP&C) is a parent representative body of both Riverside Primary School and the Riverside Education Support Centre. The P&C is affiliated with the state body WACSSO.

REVIEW

Toward the end of 2015, and as part of the compliance requirements set by the WA Department of Education (DoE) for Independent Public Schools, Riverside Education Support Centre underwent a comprehensive review process over several days, involving an in-depth investigation of the school's business plan and capacity to carry out it's stated goals. The subsequent report furnished by DoE recognises the excellent work of the school in the delivery of high quality, well resourced and individual-focused education for our students. It is a tribute to our whole team and we recommend its reading to parents, caregivers and the wider community.

Our next review is scheduled for 2018.

RESC - IPS REVIEW 2015 (read and download)

Article - 2015 School review

 

SCHOOL REPORT

Each year, the School submits an Annual School Report to DoE. It provides information on the activities and achievements of the school, and is made available for download by clicking the links below.

2017 School Report (pdf)

SCHOOL MOTTO

Truth, Pride and Friendship

Transport for students to and from Riverside ESC is determined by the specific needs of the student, with most children either coming by school bus or via family transportation. Very few are able to travel independently.

Families seeking to use the government-funded school bus service need to complete an application. Information is provided on our school bus webpage.

Like most schools, traffic at drop-off and pick-up times is hectic. Please exercise patience, using the parking zones in accordance with displayed signage.

The 2016-2018 Business Plan has been updated and approved by the School Board. It is available by clicking here: RESC Business Plan 2016-2018

The 2013-2015 Business Plan is available here: Previous Business Plan.