Back on Track educational support service

Back on Track is an educational support service for children diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment.

The aim is to keep children with cancer connected to their learning, their peers and their school community from diagnosis, through treatment and recovery and returning to school.

Back on Track supports children from kindergarten to year 12 from the city and suburbs to rural and remote NSW and ACT. Children benefit from a coordinated approach that helps them transition back to school and most are assisted by the program for 12 months.

What we offer

learning space for children attending the Oncology Treatment Centre (OTC) where Education Coordinators assist with ongoing learning 
whole school staff and peer presentation
Bear in the Chair for kindergarten to year 2 children who are away from school.
volunteer tutors on the ward
support documentation and medical letters
HSC and Beyond: Opportunities and Options  - a free information day for patients across the network in the senior years of school.
scholarship to a child who has completed the HSC and has secured a placement at University.

What we do

Advocate for the child

Back on Track coordinators arrange a school meeting at diagnosis and when the child is ready to transition back to school, in consultation with the medical team.     

Facilitate learning and social connections

Back on Track coordinators negotiate a support plan for the child to access learning and social support from the school.

Coordinators ensure implementation of the support plan through regular communication with the child, his/her family and school staff re: workflow, teaching/learning sessions, academic progress etc.    

Transition the child to school: planning and support

Education Coordinators in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Consultant liaise with the child’s school to plan for the child’s return to school.

Education Coordinators negotiate attendance, access to learning and social connectedness in preparation for return to school.

Contact us

For more information about Back on Track’s Educational Support please contact:

Dr Marianne Fernandes on (02) 7825 0422 (Mon – Thurs)
Sallwa Hourani on (02) 7825 0425 (Mon – Wed)

Donna Gurka on (02) 7825 0424 (Wed – Fri)
Justine Verreydt on 0417 528 056 (French-speaking qualified school teacher who provides educational support and tutoring to children from New Caledonia).

Find out more about Back on Track and donate to support their services to help school-aged children diagnosed with cancer.