Mandurah teacher nominated for WA top award after bringing health clinic into school
Mandurah teacher Joanne Sadler is nominated for WA Teacher of the Year. She created an on-site school health clinic.
Joanne Sadler teaches at North Mandurah Primary School. Joanne Sadler is one of four finalists for the WA Minister's Teacher of the Year award.
About nine years ago, she helped students with autism move into regular classes. Joanne Sadler realized the real barriers to learning went beyond the classroom.
Joanne Sadler worked with a pediatric nurse practitioner. They created Early Steps Forward.
Now nurses work on site at school. Families can get medical care in a safe, familiar place.
The program serves all students aged two and up, not just neurodiverse children. Every morning, teachers run a circle.
They check how children are feeling emotionally. They ask if children have eaten.
They find out what extra support each child needs that day. Sadler says most students now love coming to school because they know it's their safe place.
- About 9 years
- Program age
- From age 2
- Youngest students served
- One of four
- Award finalists
- 2026
- Award year
Why it mattersWhen kids' basic health and emotional needs are met at school, they can focus on learning. They don't have to worry about hunger, fear, or untreated medical issues.
AustraliaWestern Australian schools may now have a tested model for wrapping health services around students, particularly those with disabilities or medical needs.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 d ago
