NEWS

NEW LOCATION & INCREASED STUDENTS FOR THE SHINE PRE-SCHOOL

(EARLY LEARNING UNIT)

SEPTEMBER 2007

The Early Learning Unit moved to a new location in the new Centre in Carrigaline in September of this year. The Early learning Unit is now located in two purpose built classrooms with a play area and garden. The larger premises has allowed us to increase the number of children we can cater for from seven to fifteen in a morning and afternoon sessional format.

One Of The New Pre-School Classrooms

The new Pre-School offers a bright and spacious classrooms and gives our tutors and students a much improved environment to work and learn. The new classrooms are also the new location for our After Schools Clubs and Saturday Clubs.

Appointment At Shine Pre-School:

Sara Holland has been appointed to the position of Senior Tutor in the expanded

Shine Pre-School. Sara joined the IPAA in September 2006 and will work closely

with the ELU Management Team of Grace & Alma.

ELU Graduation Class 2006/07

On the 27th June 2007 the Graduation Ceremony for the ELU Class of 2006/07 took place when each Student received a

certificate of achievement for all their hard work during the year. Each certificate was presented by ELU Manager Grace O'Callaghan in a beautifully engraved silver scroll holder.

Congratulations to all of our wonderful Students and their Tutors for making the 2006/07 academic year such

a fantastic experience for everyone.

Grace,Alma, Sinead and Sara will miss all the kids very much and can be very proud of the

great work they have done this year. Good Luck to the the children and their families of the class of 06/07

and we wish them every success in their new schools.

(Special Thanks To Carroll's Jewelers East Village Douglas for Supplying The Scroll Holders)

The Morning Class

(Back L to R) - Sara, Grace, Alma, Sinead

(Front L to R) - Christopher, Cian, Robert

ABOUT OUR PRE- SCHOOL

Shine strongly supports the idea that there should be a variety of educational approaches adopted to meet the needs of children affected by Autism. There is no single model to meet the varied needs of ASD. Examples of the varied methods of teaching may include Teacch, ABA, PECS, Greenspan to name a few.

Our school believes in the importance of a well rounded education encompassing all areas of development in the child: Communication. Cognitive and Academic. Play and social skills. Physical development. Self-help skills.

We also welcome any input from other professionals which will aid the development of the child.

We promote a caring enthusiastic learning environment in partnership with home and family.  

We strive to develop the following qualities in our students:

• Respect.
• Acceptance of difference.
• Confidence.
• Patience.
• Gentleness.
• Motivation.
• Hygiene.
• Independence.

We aim to develop an internalised self-discipline among our students. Internalised self-discipline is interpreted as having a sense of the difference between right and wrong and enabling appropriate independent negotiation of choices.  The child decides for themselves how to behave, taking risks and learning consequences.  It is part of building confidence, and self esteem in a person.  Parents and teachers share a dual responsibility in this development.

The Role of the Parent

• To act as a role model.
• To display a positive attitude towards school.
• To keep the lines of communication open.
• To be fair and consistent.
• To make time for your child.
• To give them the confidence to express what they feel.
• To teach them alternative ways of behaving.
  

The Role of the Teacher

• To act as a role model.
• To promote a stable and consistent environment.
• To show the child alternative ways of behaving and implement tactics to help them achieve this.
• To encourage praise and reward good behaviour.
• To devise and implement their individual education plan (IEP) in conjunction with parents and other professionals.
• To ensure ongoing communication with parents.