Rathica Palavar

I am Rathnamala Palavar, better known as Rathica. I am a dedicated Head of Inclusion with a fervent commitment to fostering inclusive education and supporting the unique needs of students of determination (StoD). I have a long history of serving the needs of StoDs and their families in the capacity of Speech and Language Therapist and Secondary SENDCo. I have worked closely with the school counselors to ensure that students thrive academically as well as socio-emotionally.

Originally hailing from the sunny and vibrant city of Durban, South Africa, I have always been driven by a passion for improving the lives of individuals facing communication and learning challenges. My journey in the field of Speech and Language Therapy began with a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of effective communication.

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and a Masters Degree in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, where I honed my skills in assessing and treating a diverse range of communication disorders. I supplemented these qualifications with an iPGCE and a CCET and AAT to be a Specialist Educational Assessor. My professional journey has taken me across various settings, from clinical practices to educational institutions, working with individuals from birth to geriatrics, allowing me to accumulate a wealth of experience and expertise.

As the Head of Inclusion, I am committed to enhancing inclusive learning environments that empower StoDs to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I collaborate closely with my inclusion team, teachers, students, parents, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure that tailored support is delivered to our StoDs.

My approach to inclusion goes beyond conventional methods; I am a firm advocate for embracing innovative strategies, technology, and curricular to enhance the learning and life experience for StoD so they can become valued, contributing members of the community. I believe in the power of early identification, personalised interventions, and ongoing professional development to unlock the full potential of students.

My unwavering commitment to inclusion, coupled with my genuine passion for the well-being and success of students of determination, drives my mission to create positive, lasting impacts in the lives of those I serve. Together, let's build a world where every individual has the opportunity to communicate, learn, feel secure, enabled, empowered, and thrive.