August 21, 2017

Why I am really thankful for Gateways…

Why I am really thankful for Gateways…By Marcus Howie

“I am really thankful for my Gateways friends. Because they helped me walk to the Supermarket, the Chemist, the Library and all kinds of food outlets all by myself. Also for taking me to places like the Gym, the Pool, the Geelong Library, Reading Cinemas, Village Cinemas, Adventure Park, the Geelong Show, the Melbourne Show, Circus Quirkus and all kinds of health professionals. Also for helping me get a volunteer job at the Op Shop. And for helping me catch the bus to places I want to go to all by myself.”

Gateways Residential Support Worker Heather who has been supporting Marcus, shared that after he finished one of his first volunteering placements he told her

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

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📣 Important update: Change of location for our

📣 Important update: Change of location for our Navigating School Disengagement Forum!

We're excited to bring you our upcoming forum, Navigating School Disengagement: now being hosted at our Geelong head office at 12-14 Thompson Rd, North Geelong, VIC 3215.

This location change allows for a more comfortable and intimate setting, giving you a better opportunity to connect with our presenters and other attendees.

📍 Please arrive at the main reception on Level 1, and our friendly team will guide you to the forum room.

🕓 Registration closes today, Friday, 8th November at 11:59pm! Don't miss out—secure your place today via the link in our bio.

Event details:
Date: Tuesday 12th November
Time: 9:30am - 3pm
Where: Gateways Support Services – Head Office North Geelong
Cost: $25.00 (includes, morning tea, lunch and take-home material)

Just one week left until our Navigating School Dis

Just one week left until our Navigating School Disengagement Forum! 🌱

If your child is struggling to engage with school, you don’t have to face it alone. Join our Positive Behaviour Support Specialists for a full day of guidance, and practical strategies to help your child reconnect with their education. This forum is designed to support YOU, offering insights and tools for navigating school challenges together.

🎟Ticket sales close this Friday, November 8th, at 11:59 pm—reserve your spot today and let’s work together toward a positive change for you and your child.

📅 Date: Tuesday 12th November
⏰ Time: 9:30am – 3pm
💰 Cost: $25.00 (includes, morning tea, lunch and take home resources)
📍 Location: Northern Aquatic Recreation Centre

Register and secure your spot via the link in our bio.

#gatewayssupportservices #positivebehavioursupport #communityevent #disabilitysupport #communitysupport #schooldisengagement

Community support spotlight 🌱 A big thank you

Community support spotlight 🌱

A big thank you to our community partner Geelong Connected Communities for supporting our upcoming Navigating School Disengagement Forum. 🙌

Geelong Connected Communities generously supported the event through diversity and inclusion grant.

Support like this means we can focus our resources on impactful programs and initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of those we support.

Interested in attending the Navigating School Disengagement Forum? Head to the link in our bio to secure your spot!

#gatewayssupportservices #schooldisengagement #positivebehavioursupport #communityevent #communitysupport

Introducing your Navigating School Disengagement F

Introducing your Navigating School Disengagement Forum Presenters 🙌

Along with Bree and Alex, Emma and Kimberley are excited by the opportunity to present this important forum to you. With a wealth of knowledge and industry experience they are ready to help support you with knowledge and practical strategies to help your child reengage with school.💡

Meet Emma 🌼
Emma is a proud LGBTQIA+ woman, dog-mother to her son Cooper, and lover of all other creatures great and small. An advocate for continued personal development, Emma took a break from work throughout 2023 to volunteer her time to animal rehabilitation, in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.

Throughout her 10 years industry experience, Emma has completed numerous studies in Disability Services, the Positive Practices of Behavioural Support, as well as microstudies in mental health and understanding domestic violence. Emma is currently completing additional studies in Specialist Forensic Disability Practice.

Throughout the past five years, Emma has been in care-giving roles to primary school aged children. Emma understands the importance of setting realistic goals to impact positive long-term

Meet Kimberley 🌷
Kimberley possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a Graduate Diploma in Primary Education, a Master of Social Work (Qualifying), and an Advanced Diploma in Disability Studies. With over 20 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities across the lifespan, she is committed to enhancing their quality of life and understanding the factors contributing to their behaviours.

Her interest in school disengagement emerged from her own personal experiences navigating the challenges her children have faced in this space. Kimberley aims to inform parents and caregivers that, although the journey may be difficult, a collaborative effort to understand the reasons why their child's avoiding school can foster hope for positive outcomes and improvements in school engagement and quality of life.

To find out more or to purchase a ticket head to the link in our bio

#gatewayssupportservices #positivebehaviour #schooldisengagement #publicforum #communityevent #education

Introducing your Navigating School Disengagement F

Introducing your Navigating School Disengagement Forum Presenters 🙌

Our knowledgeable and experienced Positive Behaviour Support Specialists are thrilled to have the opportunity to guide you through this insightful forum and support you with knowledge and practical strategies to help your child reengage with their education. 📚

Meet Bree 🌻
Breeanna (Bree) holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Deakin University. With 10 years of experience in the disability sector, Bree is passionate about creating real and lasting positive change in the lives of young people. She is particularly focused on understanding how to build environments that support neurodivergent children, helping them feel safe and connected to their education. In her spare time, Bree enjoys traveling, listening to music, and participating in pub trivia!

Bree hopes that parents and carers at the forum will learn ways to help their kids discover their "why," providing a better understanding of their feelings and making school feel less overwhelming.

Meet Alex 🌱
Alexandar (Alex) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support. With over 10 years of experience working with neurodiverse individuals, he is dedicated to enhancing the environment and quality of life for people living with disabilities. In his free time, Alexandar enjoys surfing, playing Dungeons and Dragons, exploring the functions of behaviour, and spending time with his dog, Winnie.

His focus on school disengagement has developed in response to the emerging needs of the families he supports.

🎟To find out more or to purchase a ticket head to the link in our bio

#gatewayssupportservices #positivebehavioursupport #schooldisengagement #publicforum #communityevent #education

Are you a parent or caregiver worried about school

Are you a parent or caregiver worried about school disengagement?

At Gateways, we understand the challenges of supporting a young person who is struggling to stay engaged in school. You’re not alone. 🙌

Join us for an informative forum on Navigating School Disengagement, where we’ll help you understand the reasons behind school disengagement and guide you in finding practical strategies to support your child.

Event details 🕒
9:30 – 10am: Introduction and housekeeping
10 – 11am: 1st session - Finding the WHY behind school disengagement
11 – 11:30am: Morning tea
11:30am – 1pm: 2nd session – Strategies for navigating school disengagement
1 – 1:30pm: Lunch
1:30 – 2:30pm: 3rd session – The importance of regulation – finding the calm

🎟️ ️Ticket Price: $25 – Includes morning tea, lunch and take-home material

This is a safe space where you can gain the tools and confidence to help your child re-engage with school. Hosted by our dedicated Positive Behaviour Support team, we’ll walk with you every step of the way.

📅 Tuesday, November 12th, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM at the Northern Aquatic Recreation Centre.

Reserve your spot today via the link in our bio.

#CaregiverSupport #PositiveBehaviourSupport #NavigatingSchoolDisengagement #GatewaysSupportServices

Share our vision and help us provide support for children and adults with disabilities and their families, to maximise their quality of life.

We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land we stand on. We recognise the diverse needs of our community and we ensure our services are inclusive of all children, young people and their families including those who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ and persons living with disability.