Tahlea Dagerty feels right at home at Dalkeith Primary School – but finding the 8-year-old the right school space, complete with all the support she needs, was quite a journey.
“Tahlea started kindergarten at a private school in Perth, but we soon found the environment wasn’t the best fit for her, even though the school caters for children with disability,” explains her mum, Chelsea.
The school was also quite a distance from home for Tahlea, who has an acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, as well as other health challenges, caused by contracting meningococcal disease as a baby.
“Tahlea was very sick at that stage, so getting her to kindy was a challenge,” admits Chelsea. “There was also uncertainty around who was funding her at-school nursing care at the time.”
Hannah’s House: Specialised Help at School
With her older son already at their local school, Dalkeith Primary, the family decided to try Tahlea there, too.
Last year, in Year 1, Tahlea attended school four days a week.
At school, she’s supported by a registered nurse from Hannah’s House, funded by the WA Department of Education, and loves it.
“It’s relieved a lot of stress knowing Tahlea can attend school and attend school safely, and the relationship and communication between the school and Hannah’s House is really good,” shares Chelsea.
“She loves school and her nurses and has lots of friends. We thought five days a week would be too much for her, but Tahlea is bored on the morning she has off before her therapy sessions, so she’ll go to school 4.5 days a week this year.”
Safe & Settled with Nursing Support
Chelsea, a mum-of-three, never thought her daughter would be so settled in a school environment.
“It’s perfect now but there was a lot to work through at the start, such as ensuring Tahlea had suitable access to the classrooms and that ramps at the school were suitable,” she says.
Says Hannah’s House CEO Jonine Collins: “We’re very proud to be able to provide registered nurses and support workers to deliver quality care, comfort and joy to students like Tahlea, so they can safely attend their school of choice.”