louise28 Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Fantastic news, wishing Jake all the best in his new teaching assistant role! :jiggy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry & Melanie Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Wow !!! Thats a wonderful, heart-warming story. Well done you guys and 'good luck' Jake in your new role xxxxx:hug: Melanie x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOptimist Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Such a lovely post to read Kev - sounds like you have a lovely family. Good luck to Jake in his exciting new job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaroo Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 What brilliant news! You sound like a very proud Pappa!! :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30038 Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 I am bowled over by that school. They seem wonderful. I love that they are also going to make it an interview experience for him too. Not sure if you know that I have recently started working as a disability support worker for a wonderful organisation here in Gladstone. The "boss" has an adult son with autism and we have many others as service users. Would you mind if I "anonymously" told them about this story? I am sure it would blow them away! HUGE congratulations to Jake and to you both. No worries chook. Go ahead and brighten their day. kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 Kev, what a wonderful story, I think it would be wonderful for something like this to be published, just so that us parents with special needs children can see positive stories and outcomes. The school sounds great, wish it was closer to us. Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30038 Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 Received his job description today but no mention of funding yet............Classroom Assistant, 3 days a week with a view to more hours as and when needed. He has two days a week at Maccas which he originally went to on work experience but the manager took a shine to him and decided to pay him. Jake loves it there, so he's going to keep that on and the manager says that his hours will be flexible to suit the schools needs. kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 Kev, this thread must come close to the record for making the most people tear up across the widest geographical area....add me to the list...great to hear mate. I'm going back for a second read just so I can wallow in the awesomeness of it for a bit longer :biggrin: Edit: OMG I just read it again and felt fuzzier than the first time...what a great thing to happen...very happy for you all !!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuching Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 this is so touching.. thanks for sharing kev & bridget, congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnes Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I can only repeat what everyone else has said, what a fantastic post and a brilliant school. They seem to have gone above and beyond their scope of duty to your son, I'm so pleased for you all. Good luck to Jake in his new job, it sounds like he will be a great role model to the other pupils and in this day and age that is sometimes hard to find. It makes you realise that there are good people in this world. Jake must have good Karma, he will make a difference, if not in the whole world then at least in the little bit of your world and his school. I wish you all the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonnieRocket0 Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Being a parent of an autistic son, I would like to pass on mine and my family's heart felt congratulations to you and your family to the success of your son's school life. If it great to read such a great outcome and a wonderful start to the next chapter of his life. Kind regards, Ronnie Rocket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikes Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I've only just seen this. I love reading all your posts. What a wonderful story and thanks for sharing it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stockies Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Sorry Kev, I have only just seen this thread (how the hell i missed it i have know idea)!!! You must be the proudest parents out there at the mo Kev!! Jake, You are an Inspiration to lots of young people, I too have had a tear in my eye reading this. Please wish him well from all of us Kev....... Yourself and Bridget also deserve a big pat on the back for bringing up such a delightful well mannered young man...... Claire. xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyCoyles Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 I have no idea what its like to have an autistic child nor have I read any of your history but stories like that are few and far between, but a big reminder that there are a lot of good people out there and when you get enough of them together special things can happen. I am a father but my son is only 3.5 (with another boy due in Jan) but cant imagine how good it must feel to get your child to that level, in todays world that is a big acheivement. My brothers kids went off the rails badly during their early teens, they tried councelling etc, they were told that if they kept them alive until they were 19 they would have acheived something. So be very very proud of your son and I only hope I can do half as good a job with mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30038 Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Jake has now got his Job Description through. The role has been created for him and is funded by the Australian Red Cross. To say that we all chuffed is an understatement :yes: Job Title: Vocational Access Assistant - School Officer Level 1 Commencement Date: 27 January 2011 Job Description: The Senior Vocational Access Program is a new program that has been designed to allow access to vocational courses delivered by off campus registered training organisations (RTO's) for students who may not at this stage be eligible to participate in courses offered by our regular providers. These Vocational courses will be blended with on campus classes. The position of Vocational Access Assistant has been recently created to support the students participating in the Senior Vocational Access Course. This position will include a diverse range of responsibilities and will evolve as the course progresses. Participants in this course will also be required to work shifts in KCCanteen; therefore it will be necessary for the Vocational Access Assistant to be actively involved in KCCanteen duties. Key Responsibilities: • Vocational Access Training Days Assist with all activities outlined in the Senior Vocational Access Program hand book Accompany students on public transport to and from training venues (focusing on developing appropriate social skills in public and independence in travelling) Attend training sessions and support individual students as directed Accompany students on their breaks Assist students with any written work required for trainers (e.g. reading questions for them or scribing their answers) Assist students with practical tasks required in their training program Any other duties as directed by the Vocational Education Coordinator Assist KCCanteen Coordinator with the following tasks: ■ Supervision of Vocational Access students during service and preparation times ■ Stock rotation ■ Assist students with morning orders ■ Morning Tea: supervise/assist with students serving & money handling ■ Lunch: supervise/assist with students serving & money handling ■ Money counted weekly with Vocational Access Students • Other specific duties will be assigned as necessary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 I can imagine your pride in this wonderful child Kevin, all the worry, tears and stress over the years has led to this, you couldnt wish for a better result! The role has been created for him and is funded by the Australian Red Cross. I had no idea that the ARD funded in this area, Brilliant! Thank you for sharing love Susie x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olly Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Good stuff Kev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Irvine Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Congratulations to you both for raising such a wonderful son, you have every reason to be proud of him and yourselves, your story has really brightened up my day x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Hi Kev, Would you happen to know if this type of job or funding is available Australia wide? My son is 15 and sounds a lot like yours. I've recently been with him on a school camp and he surprised me and some of the teachers how organised he was and seemed to be helping a few of the other kids too. The school he attends have been great and he enjoys going. They have a program for kids with "learning difficulties" and he tends to hang around with what the other kids would call a bunch of geeks. They don't mean it nastily however and he gets loads of support from most of the kids there and has a great circle of friends. We worry, a lot like you I guess, what he can possibly do when he leaves school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Wonderful news Kev that really is and what a great start to his adult life.:notworthy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest markandmichelle Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Congratulations to u both on u sons new job, times like these make parents so proud, and here is to all the children he will help along the way. all the best Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Go Jake!!!! It's not long now, tell him to enjoy his free time whilst he can. Hugs Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bottler Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Bridget has gone to bed after a particularly harrowing night shift and I really need to let this out.............it's a long 'un so bear with me. This is one of the happiest days of my life! :yes: As you may know, Jake (17) is autistic and attends a private school that takes 25% of it's pupils with disabilities. He's in his final term and I have worried constantly about his future as he's such a gentle, naive, polite soul, whom I feared, would really struggle with his life once he left school. He too has expressed his concern that he's not ready to leave school yet. We had his IEP (Individual education Plan) meeting a couple of weeks ago to cover his last term and we mentioned that we didn't think that he was ready for the "real world" yet and so we asked if there was a possibility that he could resit his final year. This was not for academic reasons but merely to keep him safe and allow another years maturity before he was on his own in the job market and social setting. We were told by the Disability Support Teacher that she would investigate this. This morning, we had an appointment with the Principal to be told the outcome. To our surprise, when we arrived, not only was the principal present, but also the DST and several other members of staff. Apparently, they had discussed Jake's future at length, since the IEP meeting. We were told that throughout the last 2 years, Jake had become a mentor to many of the year 11's and below, as well as some of his peers, helping them familiarise themselves with running the tuck shop, with basic computer skills etc and had been an "all round good egg" where his juniors were concerned. We knew some of this, but not the extent to which he had become involved with helping his peers and juniors. His rigid adherence to rules and protocols had not only been of benefit to him and his peers, but also the school. Then the bombshell! they didn't think it appropriate that Jake remained in yr 12 because academically, he would have little to gain, and socially, he would be interacting with the "less mature". He needed to "move on" We feared the worst:cry: Then..............and I can still hardly believe this ............the principal said, with a mischievous grin on his face, "what do you think about Jake staying on as a teachers assistant?" :shocked: I couldn't believe what I was hearing! :jiggy: They didn't know for sure if they could get funding for a salary, (but they were optimistic), or even if it would last longer than 12 months, but 12 months was the initial timeline and they were quite prepared to take Jake on in that position, with, or without salary, and that we wouldn't have to pay school fees, whatever the outcome of funding and they would welcome him as a colleague and asset to the school. He would have to wear collar and tie, perform to a set programme (training given), his role being to help other students in all aspects ie helping with the transition to life outside school (ironic) :laugh: such as filling in online forms (tax file number applications, Learner driving applications, log book completions etc) using the cash register in the tuck shop, and generally mentoring his juniors in all aspects of school life, with particular attention to social skills. I cannot explain how I felt when I heard this. I was light headed and gobsmacked to say the least. You always think well of your own kids, but to hear so much praise from other people is a feeling that is so hard to explain, particularly when he can get so frustrated and angry at home whe he lets it "all hang out." That he can maintain such control of his natural inclinations (frustration/anger) whilst at school and find time to mentor others makes me feel so proud of him. Bridget and I have already decided that the school fees saved will be donated to the school to buy some specialist equipment. The only problem we could foresee, is Jake feeling that he was not worthy of the position, and/or perhaps too frightened to take on the responsibilty. We discussed at length about how to approach him with the proposal and it was agreed that the DSW should put it to him as she has been his "confiidant" for the last 5 yrs. We await Jake's return from school this arvo and his response. I am so chuffed atm..........thanks for listening..............Australia.............I luv ya even more :yes: kev it was so good to read about your son ... I have a brain damaged grand daughter aged 24 ... so many sleepless nights worrying what would happen to her when she grew up ... unless you have experienced it you don`t really know what it can do to you ... but she is fine now , living in a Care Home with brilliant carers and even going to College five days a week learning " life skills " ... I wish you and your son all the best ... he cannot fail with the wonderful parents`s he has ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrightonBoys Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 I have had a crap morning with students (and its only 0938!!) stories like this remind me why I am in education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Coggies Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 That has made me cry and made my day! Thanks for posting your news and wish your son every success in his job. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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