Case Study – Mount Warren Park State Primary School, QLD, May 2020

1. Team Teach has always provided the training we required to ensure we are keeping our students safe. The one aspect Team Teach focuses on is the crucial nature of and the power of de-escalation. At all times the student is the most important person in the situation and staff are encouraged through the training to look at their practice and school processes to allow students the time to de-escalate without the need to physical intervention.

Team Teach also provides the student with dignity throughout the process. Staff are trained in effective strategies that focus on the wellbeing of the student and themselves before, during and after an incident.

2. Team Teach has always provided the staff with timely professional development on a topic that is always high on the priority list for not only the school but staff. Schools are always after better ways to interact and support their students and Team Teach provides this development. My aim has always been to ensure the staff in my schools are supporting every student in the best possible way – the focus of Team Teach provides this level of intervention and training for staff.

3. I have been involved with Team Teach both as a staff member and facilitator in my schools for now over 15 years. The course is a very well balanced mix of theory and practical sessions with the focus always being on the strategies we need to be aware of to de-escalate complex situations. I have facilitated this training for hundreds of staff over the time of my involvement and have had outstanding responses from all staff when asked about relevance, content and messages.

4. Benefits to my schools have been:

• Consistency in approach and an understanding of the dignity that we expect all students and staff to be treated with
• Safe practices and clarification of departmental and school expectations if a complex situation arises
• A shared understanding that de-escalation is the key

5. I would absolutely recommend this course to other schools after seeing the impact it has had in my sites, as well as conversations with other Principals and school leaders who have requested me to assist them in training. I have been part of schools of varying size and complexity from regional Qld to large South East Qld schools and the message delivered by Team Teach is clear and transferable across any school setting. I will continue too use Team Teach in all of my settings to ensure the safety of all of my staff and students.

6. Training provided by Team Teach at regular intervals is always of the highest standard. The tutors are always very knowledgeable in their approach to the training and are up to date with current legislative requirements. Resources are always up to date and cover both online platforms as well as hard copy material. Refresher training days required to ensure safety and compliance are always well received with both support from the lead tutors but also provides local school tutors the opportunity to network with other professionals.

Clay McCann
Principal
Mount Warren Park State Primary School, QL