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Assessment Task 1 Letter to the school

Dear Mr. Wilson,

I am writing to express my dismay in your refusal of my daughters enrolment

into Year 5 at your school, on the basis of her epilepsy and your schools
inadequacy to cater to her needs.

It is a matter of social justice that Jade be accepted into your school. The
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child explicitly states that all
children have the right to an education (Unicef Australia, 2014). It also outlines
that children with disabilities have the right to receive special care and support
so they can live a full life (Unicef Australia, 2014). As Jades epilepsy is
considered a disability, you are neglecting her rights. She should not be
treated differently to the children you warmly welcome into your school
community. Instead, Jade should be one of these students. I would also like to
draw your attention to your inclusion policy. This document states that your
school community will strive towards providing for all students, with one of
your main aims being to ensure that the needs of individual students is
catered for (Wodonga South Primary School, 2015). However, in denying
Jade an education, you are dismissing your own inclusion policy.

Furthermore, your school website mentions that a values education approach

is adopted at your school, yet your refusal in accepting my daughter
contradicts this. A values education means that effects of disability can be

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diminished through a supportive and respectful learning environment where
students feel valued and supported (Lovat, 2007). Students are able to
actively participate in a caring setting in which positive values are emphasised
as their self-esteem, security and wellbeing are significantly impacted upon
(UNESCO, 2003). Despite this, you fail to produce a school environment that
incorporates such an approach to support student wellbeing. Jade isnt
respected and she is being rejected and shunned due to her disability. One of
the ninth values for Australian Schooling under the Framework for Values in
Australian Schools is respect Treat others with consideration and regard,
respect another persons point of view (Australian Government: Department
of Science and Training, 2005, p.4) In this situation, you have ignored this and
have acted irresponsibly by making an immoral and disrespectful decision.
What kind of behaviour are you modelling for your students if you neglect to
follow the approach endorsed by your own school?

According to the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood:

Education Services Australia (2010), it is your responsibility as an educator to
include my daughter in a safe and supportive environment. In refusing her
enrolment, you are failing to uphold this principle. The National Safe Schools
Framework outlines that student safety and wellbeing is improved when
students feel connected to their school and feel confident about their social
and emotional skills (Educational Services Australia: Standing Council on
School Education and Early Childhood, 2010). You are disregarding these
philosophy and principles of inclusion by denying Jades acceptance based on
her epilepsy. Additionally, the predominant vision of the National Safe Schools

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Framework is for all Australian schools [to be] safe, supportive and respectful
teaching and learning communities that promote student wellbeing
(Educational Services Australia: Standing Council on School Education and
Early Childhood, 2010) In this situation, you fail to uphold the Framework and
you are negatively impacting on my daughters wellbeing.

Not only is it a social justice concern, it is also a legal matter. Legislation

dictates that students must be included and have the opportunity to participate
in a school community. In particular, the Disability Discrimination Act and the
Disability Education Standards give students with a disability the right to
receive an education on the same grounds as students without a disability.
This means that these children have the same access and educational
opportunities and choices as all other children (James Cook University, 2015).
Your decision has completely overlooked Jades ability to participate and
receive the same opportunities as everybody else. In doing so, you have
violated the Disability Standards for Education. Furthermore, the Education
Standards clearly state that students with a disability should be able to enrol
in a school just like any other child (James Cook University, 2015). This
reiterates how you have failed to fulfil your professional responsibility in
accepting and including all students. Moreover, the Department of Education
and Training provides a policy specifically addressing Epilepsy and Seizure,
ensuring that students like Jade are given the opportunity to flourish, as well
as to participate fully in the life of the school (State Government Victoria:
Department of Education and Training, 2014).

Genevieve Jones

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I understand that accepting a student with such a condition can be a difficult
task, especially if the school doesnt have the necessary resources and
training, as cited in your rejection letter. However, we are willing to assist you
with the process. The Epilepsy and Seizure Policy proposes that schools must
implement strategies to assist students with epilepsy or seizure disorders
according to their specific needs (State Government Victoria: Department of
Education and Training, 2014). This is an area in which we can support you
and your teachers to ensure that Jade is included and cared for appropriately.
We will work alongside you in the development of Jades Epilepsy
Management Plan, and we will collaborate with your staff to ensure they are
well informed about her specific condition to guarantee that inclusive and safe
practices are employed. There is also training that teachers can undertake to
assist in the management and understanding of Jades condition. In this way,
your school can become an Epilepsy Smart School. This means that the
school community will understand epilepsy and implement inclusive practices
to support a student with epilepsy in fulfilling their academic potential and
developing positive social relationships (Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria,
2012). We acknowledge that it requires a whole school approach, working
with Jade, her potential peers, teachers, staff, the school community and us,
however we believe that it is your duty to do so under the philosophy and
principles of inclusion.

Jades disability does not define her, and it does not prevent her from living a
fulfilling life. As an educator, it is your professional responsibility to abide by
the philosophy and principles of inclusion, and this means accepting Jade into

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your school community. According to the Disability Discrimination Act, what
you are doing is illegal and completely unacceptable. You are required to
provide for my daughter the necessary care and support to enable her to
actively participate in the school community.

I look forward to your reply.

Catherine Bull

1082 words

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REFERENCES
Australian Government: Department of Education, Science and Training.
(2005). National Framework for Values Education in Australian Schools.
http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/Framework_PDF_ver
sion_for_the_web.pdf
Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria. (2012). Epilepsy Smart Schools. Retrieved
from http://www.epilepsysmartschools.org.au/?
gclid=CIWfufjEs8QCFcEIvAodfiYAUg
James Cook University (2015). Disability Discrimination Act: Education
Standards Your right to an education A guide for students with a disability,
their associates and education providers. Retrieved from
http://www.jcu.edu.au/disability/public/groups/everyone/documents/form_dow
nload/jcuprd_049959.pdf
Lovat, T. (2007). Synergies and Balance between Values Education and
Quality Teaching. Retrieved from https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/74cdee09b046-4413-0d4c-8179dc83458d/1/Lovat2007%20Valuesand%20QT.pdf
UNESCO. (2003). Teaching and Learning for Sustainable Development
Values Education Strategies Supporting Student Wellbeing Through Values
Education: A Resource Package. Retrieved from
https://leocontent.acu.edu.au/file/74cdee09-b046-4413-0d4c8179dc83458d/1/Supporting%20Student%20Wellbeing%20Through
%20Values%20Education%202009%20Excerpt%20.pdf
Unicef Australia. (2014). Simplified Version of the United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved from
https://www.unicef.org.au/Discover/What-we-do/Convention-on-the-Rights-ofthe-Child/childfriendlycrc.aspx

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Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood Education:
Services Australia. (2010). National Safe Schools Framework. Retrieved from
http://www.safeschoolshub.edu.au/documents/nationalsafeschoolsframework.
pdf
State Government Victoria: Department of Education and Training. (2014).
School Policy & Advisory Guide Epilepsy and Seizure. Retrieved from
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/health/pages
/epilepsy.aspx
Wodonga South Primary School. (2015). Wodonga South Primary School
Inclusion Policy. Retrieved from http://www.wodongasps.vic.edu.au/wpcontent/uploads/2013/06/Wodonga-South-Primary-School-InclusionPolicy2.pdf

Genevieve Jones