Beverley Park School principal Jacqueline Lockyer helps students of all abilities have the best start in life

EVERY child deserves the best start in life regardless of their ability and this is what motivates Campbelltown’s Beverley Park School principal Jacqueline Lockyer.

Jacqueline Lockyer chats to students (from left) Liam McIntyre, 17, Liam Platten, 12, and Jaya Russell, 17. Pictures: Robert Pozo

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EVERY child deserves the best start in life regardless of their ability and this is what motivates Campbelltown’s Beverley Park School principal Jacqueline Lockyer.

Mrs Lockyer, 46, of The Oaks, has spent most of career in special education and works closely and tirelessly with Beverley Park’s teachers and parents to help the school’s 57 students achieve their personal best every day.

“We look at what every child can do and build on that,’’ Mrs Lockyer said.

“We make sure every child has access to the curriculum with learning adjustments.

“Every child has access to reading and maths, in maths, it’s life skills and using money.

“It’s all about personalising learning to help our students become lifelong learners and to face the big world when they leave at the end of Year 12.’’

Mrs Lockyer said she was overjoyed when the school was chosen as the recipient of the Campbelltown Mayor’s Charity Gala Dinner at Campbelltown Arts Centre in June.

More than $50,000 was raised for the school at the event and the funds will go to items including a new sensory playground.

It will include climbing equipment, a sensory path so students can flick off their shoes and enjoy walking on the ground, as well as a sunken trampoline and a tall rose garden.

“We are bringing the classroom outdoors,’’ Mrs Lockyer said.

“If we can support children’s sensory needs we can support their readiness to learn.’’

Mrs Lockyer said she was inspired by her students and she wanted to make a difference in their lives.

Beverley Park School principal Jacqueline Lockyer said she was overjoyed when more than $50,000 was raised for the school at the Campbelltown Mayor’s Charity Gala Dinner.

She became interested in special education when she was in Year 12 at high school after her mother Monica had a stroke which left her with a significant disability.

“That’s when I realised that people with a disability always need the opportunity to learn to communicate and I realised the importance of that,’’ Mrs Lockyer said.

“I want to give kids and people the opportunity to communicate.’’

After completing her teaching studies in 1992, Mrs Lockyer worked as a casual teacher at a number of schools before returning to university to study special education.

Mrs Lockyer then worked at Mary Brooksbank School, at Rosemeadow, for seven years before moving to Ambarvale Primary School as an assistant principal in special education.

She then left teaching to have her three children and returned to full-time work five years ago as Beverley Park’s assistant principal before rising to her current role.

“What I love about Beverley Park is it has a long history. We celebrated 75 years of education last year,’’ she said.

“What makes it so special is the people inside the buildings.’’

Mrs Lockyer said having three healthy children was also her motivation to help other families.

“Because my children are well I have the extra energy to help others,’’ she said.

“I don’t assume every child has to learn like everyone else. Every kid learns differently.

“At Beverley Park we’re working together to support our school. ‘’

Mrs Lockyer said as well as getting the sensory garden built, another major project was refurbishing the swimming pool for students.