Riverside Education Support Centre has a long history of providing opportunity to trainee teachers and education assistants to learn from our qualified staff and team-based program development.

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

Welcome to the 2020 school year. It is 25 years since the founding of our combined Primary and ESC schools in 1995.

Mandurah is growing and so is our school -- we have a record enrolment of 76 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 child] has done so well since moving to Riverside ESC” was an observation shared by a grateful parent at reception today.

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.

2020

Starting the year with a record startup enrolment of 70 confirmed students, that number has climbed to 76 as families seek out the professionalism and care that epitomises Riverside ESC.

2019

Enrolment growth continues. Our enrolments at the beginning of 2019 numbered 63, the highest since opening in 1995, with students are spread across 7 classrooms. By Term 3, enrolments have grown to 72. As Term 4 starts, we graduate to 8 classrooms and employ new teaching and EA staff.

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.

SCHOOL MOTTO

Truth, Pride and Friendship

REVIEW

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 internal review process over the past year, involving an in-depth investigation of the school's business plan and capacity to carry out it's stated goals. This process culminated with the visit of a DoE-approved two-person review team visiting the school in December 2019 to confirm we are indeed on the right track. They found Riverside ESC to be an "effective" school.

Riverside ESC is committed to a journey of continuous improvement across all aspects of the school. Regular surveys 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 2019 Annual Survey, summarised below, has yielded valuable information that will be incorporated into future planning. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.