Willetton

The Willetton Kip McGrath Education Centre opened in May 2002 under the directorship of Julie Courtis. Julie is a qualified teacher holding a BA (Psychology and Primary Education) and a BEd (Teaching Children With Special Needs). She has nearly 30 years teaching experience in special needs, early childhood and primary education. Julie is a teacher dedicated to filling the gaps in your child’s education. In partnership with the Kip McGrath programme system, she and her fantastic team can help get your child back on track with learning and help in the development of his/her potential for future success.

The basic system in Kip McGrath is simple: first, children are assessed to determine their strengths and weaknesses in Reading, Spelling, Comprehension, Writing, Grammar and Maths. This is a FREE comprehensive assessment followed by a consultation with parents. From this assessment a programme can be written based on the individual needs of the student. We also consider individual learning styles as this can have a huge impact on children's learning ability.  These elements are what makes Kip McGrath Willetton different from other tuition CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMES ARE BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND LEARNING STYLES.

Children are taught individually within a group setting.  Dedicated, experienced teachers work with a maximum of five students, each child working on their individual programme getting one-one assistance as they require it. We will teach basic skills in English and Maths at the level required by the child. Secondary students can also work in areas required for their school programme. At KMEC Willetton, Teacher Assistants are employed to assist with Spelling testing and Reading programmes. Experience shows us that children do not require one-one assistance all the time and as such, we encourage the development of independent learning.

The Willetton Centre also caters for children who want to keep up and get ahead at school. Extension programmes and scholarship preparation can also be designed to cater for individual needs. We have also had enormous success working with students who have learning and attention difficulties.  In addition to providing these students with Maths and English tuition, we encourage them to take ownership of their learning and behaviour and develop stategies to overcome challenges.

In 2008, KMEC Willetton embraced the new early learning programmes for 4 to 5 year olds, ESL for both children and adults, Intellectual and Memory development incorporated into all children’s programmes as well as new Study Skills and Exam Preparation programmes. 2008 also saw the introduction of classes for adults in English as a Second Language, Literacy and Numeracy Skills, Writing and, for many, Preparation to Study Again.

KMEC Willetton moved to bright new premises in Unit 4 High Rd Riverton in 2007. Huge growth resulted in expansion of premises in September 2008 into Unit 3 as well. In 2009, the Willetton Centre was recognised as the largest and most successful centre in Australia.  

KMEC WIlletton is always at the cutting edge of new technology.   In 2011 and 2012, we were one of very few centres in Australia to pilot the new Insight computer technology to run our programmes. As we are one of the biggest centres in the world so we stretch the IT team in head office to its limits with our demands. I am pleased to say that the format is quite awesome and we are overcoming the glitches as they arise. My staff have been insturmental in testing this technology and have made a huge effort with setting up Insight for more than 250 students over the last few weeks.

The Centre caters for students from Willetton, Riverton, Canning Vale, Leeming, Bull Creek, Rossmoyne, Shelley, Wilson, Parkwood, Lynwood and Ferndale.

 

NEWS

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter 61 - February 2013 (PDF Version)

Newsletter 60 - November 2012 (PDF Version)

Newsletter 59 - September 2012 (PDF Version)

Newsletter 58 - June 2012 (PDF Version)

 

Media Release

Kip McGrath / Lynwood SHS Scholarship Winner 

The Kip McGrath Education Centre Willetton is delighted to announce the inaugural winner of the Kip McGrath Scholarship for 2012: Year 9 student, Zachary Belton. Zachary has been selected by a panel from Lynwood SHS and has chosen to do English tuition with us in 2012 with the aim of developing his skills toward full potential.  In the short amount of time since coming to Kip McGrath Willetton, Zac has been enthusiastic, hard working and shown significant improvement with English.

Read more about this story in this media release (PDF document)

 

USEFUL LINKS

Rener Heatlh Centres

As many parents are aware, I am in close consultation with Anton Rienetts who is a highly skilled Naturopath working with children with concentration and learning difficulties. Anton is testing these children for heavy metals, finding that many have excess toxic metals in the body, eg copper, aluminium, lead, mercury. He is in discussion with some top psychologists with the intention of putting a university study together to investigate these links.

He believes these metals build up in the frontal lobe of the brain where processing occurs, resulting in memory, concentration and learning issues. It makes sense that, if a toxic substance is in the body, to get rid of it. The process is simple:- homeopathic / naturopathic substances which attach to the metal ions and flush them from the body.

Initial testing is simply a hair analysis. The results in many children have been immediate and amazing. I see too many instances where pysychologists are prescribing medication for children with these issues, on the assumption that it is due to ADD, ADHD… or something related, and that drugs are the answer. If we can improve concentration, focus and general learning ability in a natural way, then we must be on a winner.

I strongly recommend that, if you have concerns about your child’s learning, concentration, focus or memory, please make an appointment with Anton before going down the medical route.

Rener Health Centres is located at 412 Canning H’way (cnr of Stock Rd), Attadale. 

Ph: 9330 2522

  

Brain Gym

We often refer our students to Jean Jordan from Simply Balance to learn about and participate in Brain Gym activities.

Brain Gym is a great way to improve how well you can think, remember, learn new skills or to react in a different way to conflict or a challenging situation. Brain Gym is used in classrooms throughout Australia to improve the focus and concentration of children of all ages. In a short time children's attention and ability to learn improves as the stress and challenges that many children face daily in the classroom, is reduced.

We have seen great improvements in children who have participated in this program.

For more details please click here to visit the Brain Gym section of the Simply Balance Website or contact Jean on (08) 9463 7619.

 

Wiz Kids Counselling

If your child needs help:

• Understanding, regulating and managing emotions (sadness, anger, worry);
• Building up their confidence and self-esteem;
• Managing relationships with parents, siblings and peers;
• Dealing with bullying;
• Establishing and maintaining friendships;
• Dealing with times of crisis (such as a separation / divorce, or the death of a loved one).

Janine is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW) with 20 years experience and is based in our centre. She has worked with children in a number of settings within the disability, health and educational sectors. Please feel free to contact Janine on 040-116-3737 or via email at: janine@wizkidzcounselling.com.au.  You can also check out her website at: http://www.wizkidzcounselling.com.au.

Alternatively, you may wish to make an appointment to come in and see Janine while your child is at Kip McGrath. Medicare rebates may apply with a G.P.'s referral. Janine says "Our children are our future and we want that future to be a bright one".

Pre Primary and Primary Students

• Get Ready for School / Pre-Primary Programme for 4 and 5 year olds
• Maths Tuition: Years 1-7
• English Tuition: Years 1-7 including ESL
• Study Skills for Year 7
• Scholarship Development and Extension Programmes
• Memory and Thinking Skills
• Speed Reading Course (Senior Primary)

Secondary Students

• Maths Tuition: 8-10 plus Years 11 and 12 TEE subjects
• English Tuition: Years 8 -10, plus Years 11 and 12 TEE English and ESL
• Study Skills for Years 8 - 9
• Study Skills for Years 10 -12
• Scholarship Development and Extension Programmes
• Physics for Years 11 and 12
• Chemistry for Years 11 and 12
• Economics for Years 11 and 12
• Accounting for Years 11 and 12
• Memory and Thinking Skills
• Speed Reading Course

Post Secondary Students

• Adult Numeracy and Literacy including ESL
• STAT Test preparation for people returning to tertiary level study 
• Writing and Maths for TAFE and University students 
• Study Skills for University students

Why Kip McGrath?

• Free, comprehensive assessments

  

• A modern, well equipped learning centre
• World class computer programmes
• A positive and relaxed atmosphere
• A place to develop self confidence
• We make learning fun
• Develop problem solving skills
• We teach children to think
• A programme designed to suit the individual needs and learning styles of each child

Programmes For Sale

Kip Maths Expert @ Home

The Kip Maths Expert @ Home package for Years 7 – 12 is our amazing new maths programme. Copies of this programme are available in the centre.

The cost is $299 (7-10), $399 (11-12) or $599 (7-12). This programme is ideal for self motivated students to work on themselves at home. Please pick up a brochure when you come in and ask to see a demonstration.

Willetton Centre Testimonials

The testimonials below were written by some of our satisfied parents.

Clayton has come along in leaps and bounds. Thank you.

Shannon has made remarkable progress in mathematics through the program. It’s really given her the confidence she so badly needed.

Bridget is much more confident in the classroom. Thank you for your help and encouragement. She is much more confident in having a go and writing longer sentences and stories. Thanks again.

Kilani has been really enjoying her Kip McGrath lessons. Her school work has really been improving and she seems to understand and do her school work a lot easier now.

Leia has made noticeable improvements in her concentration and learning abilities since starting Kip McGrath lessons. Her teacher has also commented on how well she is doing and improving at school.

I am very happy with the progress that Jeremy has made in Term 3 and Term 4 2011. His writing skills have developed and he is also getting better at math. In 2012 I would like to see him further develop his reasoning skills.

Julie, thank you. Alex has made great progress at school. There has been a huge increase in his marks and his attitude towards maths since the end of Term 1 this year. Thank you to you and your staff for your hard work, kindness and assistance this year.

Kip McGrath has helped Lucas heaps. The school always comments on his improvement. Lucas loves work with Simon and Simon knows how to help him. Great job Simon and Kip McGrath.

Curtis has only done Kip McGrath in this last term of school, but already both his teacher and ourselves have seen a big improvement in Curtis’ attitude towards his school work and attitude in general. He received an award at school last week for “correct punctuation and writing beautiful interesting sentences”. My only wish is that we started Curtis at Kip McGrath earlier – thank you all so very much.

My son had a low score for English last semester but now he has improved remarkably. I’m very grateful to Kip McGrath.

Thanks so much to the fantastic staff at Kip McGrath Willetton and my children’s hard work. My daughter is contributing to get outstanding results. My son Alexander has made excellent improvements and will be working hard again at Kip McGrath Willetton in 2012.

Lucas has made great progress in his maths this year. Thanks Julie and your team.

My daughter improved in English writing and reading. Thanks to Kip McGrath teachers for supporting her in her studies. She’s now starting with high levels in both subjects. Looking forward to next year in Kip McGrath.

Anaya enjoys the challenge and new learning skills. She has advanced well since starting Kip McGrath. She enjoys going to Kip McGrath – which is a good sign!  Thanks.

Sarisa is getting a better understanding of maths and is not ‘frustrated’ about doing her homework anymore. Doing well, thanks.

Willetton Staff Details

The calibre of staff teaching in the Kip McGrath Centre in Willetton is extraordinarily high. I doubt you will find a more talented group of teachers anywhere else in Australia.

	JULIE COURTIS I have been Director of the KMEC Centre in Willetton since 2002. I have a Bachelor of Education (Teaching Children With Special Needs) and a BA (Primary Education and Psychology), as well as accreditation as a KMEC Director. I taught in Education Support, 4 year old kindergarten and primary schools from 1982 to 2002. Since the death of my husband in 2001, Kip McGrath has become my life focus, along with parenting my own two children. My partner, Michael, is the Waste Manager Coordinator on Barrow Island, so we endure the fly in fly out life, as many of you also do.
	DR ANNE DEVENISH Anne is working in the centre six days per week.  She is our English specialist and has been working wonders with our secondary students in this area. Anne also runs the Study Skills Programmes, adult ESL and literacy programmes, and Scholarship Development and extension programmes for children wanting to sit for exams during the year or who need further stimulation. She holds a Diploma of Teaching, a Bachelor of Education, a Masters degree and a PhD and has extensive experience in Special Needs, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education. Anne has worked for many years in Kip McGrath centres in Perth and it was my very good fortune to have her come to Willetton in 2006.
	CATE WALKER Cate has a string of qualifications in Education, Music and History. She is an experienced ESL teacher both in Australia and overseas. She is  working at UWA as an examiner in addition to four days a week with us, teaching  English and Maths at a primary and middle school level. Cate also takes the role of Manager in the centre when I am away.
	DR VENKATA ALURI Venkata works with our year 10 -12 Maths students. He holds a BEd in Maths and Science, an MA (Economics), Masters in Maths and PhD in Economics. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Maths as well. He has worked in secondary Maths, Science, Accounting and Economics for many years.
	MERILYN BABIDGE Merilyn came to us from the Myaree Centre. She holds a Diploma of Teaching and has many years of experience with English and Maths at a Primary level.
	CAROL BOYES Carol has been with us since mid 2005. She qualified in Education in South Africa and has had extensive primary and remedial teaching experience in South Africa and the UK. Carol runs her own financial services business with her husband in Perth and works with our primary students three afternoons per week.
	CHANTAL CUTLER Chantal has a Certificate IV in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), a Bachelor of Arts in Political Philosophy and is Currently studying a Post Graduate Diploma is Financial Management.  Her teaching career started with teaching English as a second Language in Japan, South Korea and Australia for 9 years.  She has experience working with people of different ages and various ability levels.  Chantal is passionate providing guidance to her students and giving them help to uncomplicate situations in their learning.
	SUGANTHI DANAGARAN Su has taken on a lot of the middle school maths for me this term, freeing me for other duties. She has teaching qualifications in Maths and Accounting and many years experience with Maths to Year 11 level.
	SIMON DEVENISH Simon has a Bachelor of Education and a Business Diploma. He is working with troubled youth in a full time capacity and has been working with Kip McGrath programmes for a number of years. He shows enormous talent and ingenuity across a wide age range of children. He is in high demand and works with a range of children. Simon is also our computer expert and maintains all our computers – a huge job as you can imagine.
	VIRGINIA (GINI) EVERSEN The closure of Myaree Kip McGrath centre brought Gini to our door in 2010. She holds a BEd in Primary Education and works with us several days a week. She has great talent with our young students and is achieving fantastic results with them. She is working alongside Anne with our extension level classes as well.
	MICHELLE FARRO   Michelle has just joined our team, teaching our year 11 and 12 Chemistry students. She is a qualified science and maths teacher and is particularly passionate about Chemistry.
	ANN INGHAM Ann comes to us with a broad range of qualifications. She holds a Bachelor of Education, a Higher Education Diploma (Junior School), a Higher Education Diploma (Pre-Primary) and a Further Diploma in Education (Minimal Brain Dysfunction and ADDHD Children). Ann has had many years experience in teaching roles and senior roles within schools, working with a variety of ages. She also has extensive experience working with remedial students and those with English as a Second Language. Ann is passionate about Literacy, particularly Reading and Phonics, and helping challenged students to reach their potential.
	MANGALA JAYATILAKE Mangala joined us in 2007 and is now with us three evenings per week, working with middle school maths. She has an Education degree from Sri Lanka and has been teaching maths for 17 years. Mangala also works part time in child care.
	JUDITH KAMINSKI Judy started with us in 2006 when she retired from full time teaching, after 30 years in Primary schools. Judy is working with us on Mondays and Saturdays.
	STEFANIE KOENS Stefanie joined us in 2011.  In 2005, she completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and History at Notre Dame University.  She also holds a Diploma of Secondary Education.  She travelled to New Zealand to teach English for two years, working with students in Years 6 to 11.  Stefanie has been tutoring in English since 2005, specialising in Upper School English and Literature Studies.  She is extremely passionate about creative writing.
	DR DON SARATHCHANDRA Don is another very highly qualified member of our staff. He holds Masters and PhD degrees in Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. He has tutored in senior Maths and Science for many years and is working with our senior level Maths, Chemistry and Physics students.
	BRUCE WARNER  Bruce comes to us having spent the last ten years in the Steiner system, most recently teachng at the Perth Waldorf School as a Primary Teacher.  At this school, Bruce taught one cohort from year four to year seven.  Bruce has also previously worked in the film and television industry prior to teaching.
	KLARA WIRYADINATA Klara comes to us with a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary). She has been working with a variety of age groups at primary school level for the past five years. Klara is passionate about Mathematics, Reading and Debating.
Teacher Assistants
	SARAH COURTIS My daughter Sarah has just been awarded a First Class Honours Degree in Musical Theatre and Drama. She is now completing her Tutor training qualification and working with Gini and myself with pre-primary students. She has worked in the centre now for several years in an assistant role.
	ANNE STARLING Anne has been with us for some time now, working four afternoons in an assistant role. She is involved with spelling and reading with students and also keeps the filing and cleaning of the centre under control. She has a great talent for keeping a check on reading and spelling levels and finding innovative ways of teaching these skills to struggling children.
	EMMERY STARLING During her school years, Emmery was one of our students. Now that she is studying Sports Science at Notre Dame University she is spending some of her free time working with us in an assistant role on Fridays and Saturdays.