Term One Update
From Telethon Speech & Hearing CEO, Mark Fitzpatrick
Welcome to our new look Parentlink. This is our first foray into providing TSH families with a digital newsletter. We welcome your feedback and comments.
Our Heartfelt Thanks
From the outset, I give my heartfelt thanks to all TSH families in helping us adjust programs and approaches whilst we deal with COVID-19. In planning for 2022 we were always focused on safely managing COVID-19 throughout our centre, but did not anticipate certain elements that we have had to contend with. We have had to make difficult decisions around immunisations and access based on the needs of the children and families we support, alongside the needs of the TSH team. Unsurprisingly, but very pleasingly, the response from TSH families has been nothing short of amazing. We have always sought to communicate with families about our approach and impact, and the supportive response we’ve received back is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Continuing to Meet Community Needs
At TSH we have a unique set of skills. Skills that an increasing number of families in our community seek and rely on, year on year. Hence, each year I reflect on the fact we are (again) supporting more families than ever before: in our classrooms, host schools, and by the number the partners we work with. In 2022, such growth has also meant undertaking some building works at Wembley, with even more to come, so we can create the best environment possible for families. After creating a new room for Talkabout 3, we are now finalising an extension to our Wylie Building. I look forward to communicating the results with families once it has been finished.
In addition to helping more families, this year we have also welcomed a host of new staff to our wonderful team, mainly teachers, education assistants, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. The presence of new team members adds to the rich fabric of our existing talented and dedicated team at TSH, and brings an array of different experiences and valuable insights. The new members of our team have fit in beautifully and I am looking forward to how they support you and your child.
The most important thing for TSH is to ensure that any growth does not come at the expense of great outcomes for you, your family, and your child. Our focus on creating positive outcomes for you will always remain at the heart of everything we do.
World Hearing Day
Hearing is such an integral part of our world and as a person who has had a hearing loss since the age of nine, I understand some of the challenges faced. So being able to shine a light on what we do and the wonderful outcomes we see families achieve is very important.
Ordinarily one of the privileges I have as CEO is to represent the experience of our families and staff with people who make decisions about services and funding available to the community. But on World Hearing Day (3 March 2022), I was proud to enable some of our families to tell their own story through the You Can Ask That event that we were part of. Understanding the journeys that families have been through and hearing directly from them is integral to improving the systems that need to be navigated.
Watch the video or visit Deafness Council WA to see more of this event:
Happy Holidays
It is nice that, as we head into the holidays for Term 1, some of the COVID restrictions will be lifted. So, on behalf of all of the TSH team I hope all of our families have a safe, restful and enjoyable break. We look forward to seeing you later in April for the start of Term 2.
Important Reminder: Update Your Details
The information that parents/guardians provide at enrolment is important in helping us to look after your child, and should be kept up to date. If not current, your family may miss important information from TSH such as health and safety updates around COVID-19.
Please Contact Us immediately if your family details have changed.
It is essential that you inform the us in writing of any change to student details. In particular, we need to know:
change of address
change of telephone numbers (particularly mobile phone numbers)
change of email address
any new medical condition or allergies that your child may have.
Senior Leadership Team
Telethon Speech & Hearing is headed by a CEO and senior management team, who between them have decades worth of experience in the healthcare, education and charity space.
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© 2022 Telethon Speech & Hearing Ltd.
Telethon Speech & Hearing acknowledges and thanks all individuals and organisations for their support of our centre, including: Channel 7 Telethon Trust, Channel 7 and The West Australian
