For the children and families in Australia affected by autism, life can be challenging. These challenges are met through the services provided by Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT), a not-for-profit organisation.
They have been informed that the lease for the Sydney South East School at Kirrawee will not be renewed in 2018. Consequently, they have until the start of 2018 to find land and build a new school for the 30 students who currently attend the school. The school has 5 classes of 6 students and the dedicated staff meet the significant learning needs of students with individualised learning programs. There are 200 children on the waiting list and without expansion, all 230 children will end up in local primary schools where they simply will not cope.
The cost of building a new school will be several million dollars. A recent event raised $26000 and whilst this figure is admirable, it could be run 100 times over and still not raise the funds required to relocate the school.
Government funding is the most likely solution to this issue. Land in the Sutherland Shire that was earmarked for the F6 Freeway in decades past (and is Government owned) would be perfect. With the slowness of building approvals, traffic and feasibility studies, planning for the school needs to begin ASAP. A new school is likely to take 12 months to build so construction needs to start in January 2017.
I hope this petition can 'go viral' and that we can get some mass media coverage and support for this worthy cause. It will be taken to members of parliament to provide evidence of community support for the project.
Thanks for taking the time to read and sign this petition. Please forward the link to everybody you know. Put it on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media site to spread the word. Your support is appreciated.
Kind regards,
Mark Gregory
ASPECT parent
Updates
November 29, 2015
The petition has reached one thousand signatures. This milestone confirms that the community understands the critical nature of finding a new home for the Kirrawee school.
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 27, 2015
November 18, 2015
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This response demonstrates a clear recognition of the urgent need for a new facility for these students.
Reached 100 supporters
November 15, 2015
198 Comments
I am a speech pathologist currently working with Aspect. To see the amount of families and people that we support is just an amazing feeling. The children urgently need the aspect schools as mainstream can be so overwhelming for them to meet their learning needs.
This is something that both federal and State governments should get their collective heads together annot being used anymore d get this built on State owned land that is not being used for the purpose that it was originally purchased for.
I have an 8 year old son on the spectrum who struggles on a daily basis with life/school. He/ I have been shown little compassion/understanding on a great number of occasions. Breaks my heart x
Aspect needs government funding. As a teacher I appreciate the need for specialised teachers and classes for ASD children who are unable to attend a mainstream comprehensive school. I would like to see my taxes used for this, rather than funding elite private schools.
My 2yo asd son may not be local to this area but i know how valuable this school is to its community. This wouldn't happen to a NT school so why is it happening to our special ASD kids. They should be the most protected of all.
I am the father of twins with autism and my children attend this school. It was their first year in kindergarten and they have come along in leaps and bounds with a view of going to mainstream in 2-3 years. They would not have had this life chance to live a full life without this school. This needs to be there for all children as the impacts of autism can be minimised in most cases by proper care and education. You should go and visit the school one day. I trust the authorities will not let this school close. We need to look after all our kids and all kids deserve a school. Thanks.
These children need this support
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For the children and families in Australia affected by autism, life can be challenging. These challenges are met through the services provided by Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT), a not-for-profit organisation.
They have been informed that the lease for the Sydney South East School at Kirrawee will not be renewed in 2018. Consequently, they have until the start of 2018 to find land and build a new school for the 30 students who currently attend the school. The school has 5 classes of 6 students and the dedicated staff meet the significant learning needs of students with individualised learning programs. There are 200 children on the waiting list and without expansion, all 230 children will end up in local primary schools where they simply will not cope.
The cost of building a new school will be several million dollars. A recent event raised $26000 and whilst this figure is admirable, it could be run 100 times over and still not raise the funds required to relocate the school.
Government funding is the most likely solution to this issue. Land in the Sutherland Shire that was earmarked for the F6 Freeway in decades past (and is Government owned) would be perfect. With the slowness of building approvals, traffic and feasibility studies, planning for the school needs to begin ASAP. A new school is likely to take 12 months to build so construction needs to start in January 2017.
I hope this petition can 'go viral' and that we can get some mass media coverage and support for this worthy cause. It will be taken to members of parliament to provide evidence of community support for the project.
Thanks for taking the time to read and sign this petition. Please forward the link to everybody you know. Put it on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media site to spread the word. Your support is appreciated.
Kind regards,
Mark Gregory
ASPECT parent
Updates
November 29, 2015
The petition has reached one thousand signatures. This milestone confirms that the community understands the critical nature of finding a new home for the Kirrawee school.
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 27, 2015
November 18, 2015
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This response demonstrates a clear recognition of the urgent need for a new facility for these students.
Reached 100 supporters
November 15, 2015
198 Comments
I support children with autism in a mainstream preschool and know first hand how crucial early intervention is for children with ASD. Aspect is a wonderful school and plays a vital role in supporting and enhancing the wellbeing and development of children with autism.
I am a speech pathologist currently working with Aspect. To see the amount of families and people that we support is just an amazing feeling. The children urgently need the aspect schools as mainstream can be so overwhelming for them to meet their learning needs.
This is something that both federal and State governments should get their collective heads together annot being used anymore d get this built on State owned land that is not being used for the purpose that it was originally purchased for.
I have an 8 year old son on the spectrum who struggles on a daily basis with life/school. He/ I have been shown little compassion/understanding on a great number of occasions. Breaks my heart x
Aspect needs government funding. As a teacher I appreciate the need for specialised teachers and classes for ASD children who are unable to attend a mainstream comprehensive school. I would like to see my taxes used for this, rather than funding elite private schools.
My 2yo asd son may not be local to this area but i know how valuable this school is to its community. This wouldn't happen to a NT school so why is it happening to our special ASD kids. They should be the most protected of all.
I am the father of twins with autism and my children attend this school. It was their first year in kindergarten and they have come along in leaps and bounds with a view of going to mainstream in 2-3 years. They would not have had this life chance to live a full life without this school. This needs to be there for all children as the impacts of autism can be minimised in most cases by proper care and education. You should go and visit the school one day. I trust the authorities will not let this school close. We need to look after all our kids and all kids deserve a school. Thanks.
These children need this support
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I support children with autism in a mainstream preschool and know first hand how crucial early intervention is for children with ASD. Aspect is a wonderful school and plays a vital role in supporting and enhancing the wellbeing and development of children with autism.