Evie Logan-Clarke: Inclusive Education

Mr RICHARD TORBAY (Northern Tablelands—Speaker) [6.51 p.m.]: This week I met a remarkable 12-year-old who, like her peers, is graduating from primary school to secondary school at the end of the year. Evie Logan-Clarke's journey, however, has been much more difficult than most. She suffers from Rett syndrome, a fairly rare neurological disorder that affects about 300 girls and women in Australia. As a result of the disorder Evie cannot speak or use her hands and at times finds it difficult to walk. Despite her profound disabilities, she has spent the last seven years within mainstream classes at Armidale City Public School. Her parents, and teachers and students at the school believe her attendance has been of benefit not only to Evie but also to the school community.

The New South Wales education system gets a lot of knocks for its failings, but many times it deserves bouquets. On this occasion I commend it for opening doors for Evie Logan-Clarke and other children with disabilities. Evie's mother, Vicki, told me that one of the worst things that can happen to children and adults with disabilities is to be segregated and isolated from the mainstream of society. If it happens to people with disabilities when they are children, it almost inevitably follows when they are adults. When they were researching the best options for Evie, her parents weighed up the relative benefits of special and inclusive education. They found a new trend in disability education was emerging and that inclusive education was possible in New South Wales. When they approached Armida1e City Public School, they were encouraged to go ahead with the inclusive option. They were successful with their application to have a teacher's aide allocated to assist Evie through her school experience. About 25,000 children with disabilities are now included in mainstream classes around New South Wales, 350 of them at schools in the New England area.

Evie is at the high end of the disability spectrum, except for her behaviour, which has been assessed as excellent. She listens carefully, she can communicate and she participates when she can. Her behaviour has worked well for her and has won her respect and affection at the school. She has learned to use a computer by way of a special switch. She sits and listens carefully in class and pays attention. Each day she has a break for a rest, but otherwise she participates in all class activities. Since Evie started at school she has taught herself to sit from standing and to jump on a trampoline. In kindergarten she won rapturous applause from the whole school when she participated in the 50 metre races on sports day—it is just like the Paralympics. She loves going to school and is positive about the experience. Her peer group has accepted her and she has made many friends. Her teachers report that Evie has taught them many things and her presence has had a positive effect on the school community. She has changed the dynamics in the classroom where other children have learnt to accept her as different but also much the same as themselves. They appreciate her qualities, her courage and her efforts to succeed and belong. They also learn not to take their own capacities for granted.

Next year Evie has been accepted to Armida1e High School where she will join mainstream classes and participate to the best of her ability. She has a group of friends who probably will stay with her for life. Her mother, Vicki, wrote to me about the positive experience Evie has had at Armida1e City Public School over the past seven years. She says Evie's experience at Armida1e City Public School has demonstrated the success of inclusive education for children with disabilities. They particularly want to thank teacher's aide Sue Wilson for her support. I know Sue personally and she is a tremendously dedicated person. The family also wants to acknowledge the wonderful work of the staff of the Department of Education and Training both at the school and in the district office, who have done their jobs successfully, willingly, cheerfully and outstandingly. Vicki Logan has asked me to pass on the family's thanks to the Minister for Education and Training, and to congratulate her and her staff on providing a successful, positive and outstanding inclusive education for Evie over the past seven years. I will go one better by putting this testimonial on the public record because we often forget about the high standard of our public education system, the dedication of our teachers and their willingness to go the extra mile to help students reach their potential regardless of their level of ability.