Monday 8th December 2003
Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Responds to Discrimination Claims
Mr Michael Bowman, Director of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, responded today to claims that a five year old boy with a speech disability had been refused enrolment at Corpus Christi Primary School, Waratah.

Acknowledging that he can only make limited comment about the case because it had been referred to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Mr Bowman said that “based on best practice and strong professional advice both within and beyond the Catholic schools system, we believe that it is in the best interests of the child that he attend the Shortland Intensive Language Support Class into which he has been accepted, and receive the specialised support that this centre can offer.”

Mr Bowman said: “Upon completion of the Shortland Intensive Language Support Class, Jack Atkins had been assured a place at Corpus Christ Primary School, Waratah.”

Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, the Most Reverend Michael Malone, endorsed the recommendation of the Catholic schools system, believing that their decision - based on strong professional advice - had been made in the best interests of the child.”

Bishop Malone said that the Catholic education system in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to supporting children with disabilities and special needs. “We provide considerable resources to support children with special needs,” he said.

Background Note: The Catholic Schools Office supports children with special needs in many ways. They provide Teaching and Learning Facilitators in every school, special needs index funding, additional funds for integration and provision of professional development as well as staffing and funding the Special Education and Counselling Centre known as the Saint Laurence Centre.

The St Laurence Centre is the Counselling and Special Education Unit of the Catholic Schools Office. Staff of the St Laurence Centre consists of Special Education Advisers, Psychologists, a Speech Pathologist and Administrative staff. They are responsible for the provision of support services for students with special needs. These students include those with disabilities, learning difficulties, developmental, emotional, behavioural or social problems, those who have experienced trauma and those who may be need some support at a particular time.

Back to Media Releases