About Us
O'Connor Education Support Centre (OESC) is the only primary disability special education centre in the Goldfields Region and is located in Kalgoorlie. The Centre caters for students from Kindy to Year 6, with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and complex communication needs. O'Connor ESC aims to develop the whole person socially, emotionally, intellectually and morally, engendering a positive self-image and independence in daily life.
The school is co-located with O'Connor Primary School and the two schools pride themselves on the collaborative relationship that exists between them.
Students integrate with O'Connor Primary School students in the playground and in selected classroom activities. The inclusion plan created collaboratively by both schools promotes a multitude of opportunities for students from both schools to engage in educational activities that promote social skill development, acceptance and understanding. O'Connor ESC shares with the Primary School a library, canteen, staff room, and playground areas. The schools have a combined P&C and provide pastoral care through the breakfast program. Joint activities include the weekly assemblies, athletic faction carnival, swimming carnival, Harmony, and NAIDOC day celebrations, Year 6 camp and Year 6 graduation.
O'Connor ESC students have the opportunity to participate in additional school activities, with two of the Year 6 school councillors being appointed from the Centre. O'Connor ESC is an inclusive school that welcomes all students and shows respect for all cultures and religions.
O'Connor ESC has a targeted communication program that incorporates both speech and occupational therapy. A relationship with Bega Health has begun with a shared vision to promote health, including overall health amongst our First Nations students and families. O’Connor ESC also welcomes the EarBus to school each term to support the ear health of the First Nations and at-risk children. This allows students and families who have difficulty attending medical appointments for various reasons to be seen by an Ear Screener, Nurse, GP, Audiologist and ENT on school site which offers a full medical check for each child.
Staff are trained to incorporate research based teaching strategies into their teaching. Social and play skills programs are implemented with communication as the focus. Our teaching practice also incorporates Protective Behaviour programs. We provide a targeted, differentiated curriculum, linked to the Western Australian Curriculum and Abilities Based Learning Education, Western Australia (ABLEWA). This combined with a rich social environment is designed to meet the individual learning needs of each child.
Our aim "Empower Today for Tomorrow' supports students to participate meaningfully and successfully within their family, school and local community.