Caboolture Special School Week 1, Term 1, 2024

Principal News

Dear Caboolture Special School community members

Welcome (or welcome back)

We have had a terrific first week of the 2024 school year at Caboolture Special School.  Staff will continue to prioritise strengthening relationships with students and their families.

I thank all concerned for your commitment to respectful and positive partnerships, moving forward.

School Growth

I am very excited by the 20% student enrolment growth we have witnessed this year at our school.  We are proud of the part we play in positioning our students for success.  Such student enrolment growth is well planned for to ensure our school's high quality offerings to students are maintained, moving forward.

Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

Every Queensland State School has an AIP for the year ahead.  This planning document outlines a number of school priorities that will remain a focus throughout the year.

Our three key priorities for 2024 are:-

- Optimising effective communication processes for all learners.

- Strengthening Australian Curriculum (AC) implementation, with an increasing focus on numeracy and Respectful Relationships Education (RRE).

- Scaling up Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL).

These school priorities are aligned with the Queensland Department of Education’s Equity and Excellence strategy key pillars of:-

- Educational Achievement

- Wellbeing and Engagement

- Culture and Inclusion

Communication

Seesaw is the school’s preferred (although not only) means of communication.  Our school has a newsletter that is published on the school website (https://caboolturespecs.eq.edu.au/) at the end of weeks 1, 5 and 10 of each term.  On occasions the school may also correspond to parents by telephone, email and/or hard copy notes home.

Meet and Greet

School community members are invited to join staff members in the L Block (infant) undercover playground area on Tuesday 13 February from 2.40-3.30pm to connect or reconnect with our staff members.  There will be some food and drinks provided for attendees.  No need for RSVP.  Children are (of course) welcome.  Stay for as little or as long as you'd like.  

Late Student Arrivals and Early Student Departures

For late student arrivals or early student departures, the supervising parent or carer needs to go through the front school office with the child(ren) in order for this arrival or departure to be processed and to receive the required paperwork, aligned with departmental procedures.

Getting to and from school

Parents and carers who are using vehicles for student drop offs and pick ups can park outside of the school grounds, or for students requiring a closer drop off and/or pick up (for example for accessibility considerations), there are a small number of L Block carpark areas designated for predominantly (but not exclusively) Prep student drop offs and pick ups, that are accessible through gate 4.  Parents and carers may escort their child into the school and to their classroom (typically from 8.30am or at a time mutually agreed with by the class teacher) or use our drive through student drop off and pick up area by entering with your vehicle through gate 3, off Adelaide Drive.  This gate will open at 8.30am and will close at 9am each school day.  The gate will re-open at 2.30pm and close at 3pm in the afternoon.  Drivers are reminded to be extra cautious while driving in and around the school grounds and I thank you in advance for your patience while waiting in line, particularly as we have increased student enrolments of close to 20% for 2024.  Please be aware of following road rules while waiting along Adelaide Drive, including ensuring access is available for school buses to enter the school grounds.  Please note that school gate 2 is an exit only, as marked – there is no entry via this gate at any time.

Pedestrian gates are located next to the school office near gate 1 on Torrens Rd or there is another set of pedestrian gates approx. 50 metres further along Torrens Rd near the C Block entrance.  These gates (while closed and with high reach child safety latches) are accessible throughout the school day for visitors.  Late student arrivals (after 9am) will need to be escorted through these gates by a parent/carer on their way to the office before going to class.

A significant number of our students use third party transport services (most commonly buses) to get to and/or from school.  There are arrangements that need to be made through the department of transport, department of education and parent and carers for this to occur and the process takes some weeks to finalise, where vacancies exist to offer this service.  Enquiries can be made through our school office on telephone: (07) 5431 4444 or email: admin@caboolturespecs.eq.edu.au in the first instance.

Access to Classrooms 

Parents and carers are asked not to enter buildings containing classrooms during student learning times, unless arranged through mutual agreement with your child’s teacher (eg volunteer arrangement) or authorised by the school office staff (eg escorting a student for a late student arrival).  Unnecessary visitor pedestrian movement in these buildings during learning times is potentially disruptive to students.

Student Learning Materials 

Our school supplies these learning items free of charge for our students each year.  Your child will have the learning materials they need from day 1.  Our teachers will reach out to families should any additional learning items ever be required.

Morning Tea and Lunch

Generally speaking, there are two meal breaks during the school day.  Alternative arrangements are in place for individual student circumstances, when and where required. Parents and carers are responsible for supplying their child’s food on school days. 

Student Medication

Schools are governed by stringent measures re: administration of medication to students.  Enquiries can be made to your child’s class teacher or through our school office on telephone: (07) 5431 4444 or email: admin@caboolturespecs.eq.edu.au in the first instance.

Parents and Citizen's Association - members wanted

As Principal, I want to extend a warm invitation to parents and carers of our students to join the P&C in a capacity that works around your other commitments.  Being a member of your school’s P&C is a very authentic and satisfying way of contributing to both your child’s success and to your local community.  Interested persons can contact our P&C executive through cabspecspandc@gmail.com

I look forward to building on the great start we have made to 2024.

Best wishes

Sheldon Boland

(Always Proud) Principal

Deputy Principal - Lower Years

Hi everyone,

Welcome to all of our students and families this week! It has been great to see everyone getting to know their new class group for 2024.

My name is Kerry Gilmore and I am the Deputy Principal for the Lower Years (Classes 1-6 and Classes A-I). It is a very exciting time for everyone as they settle into their new classroom routines.

I have been contacting parents in regards to individual health plans, emergency medication and routine medication forms. Please update this information any time details have changed.

Administering medication at school

If you require staff to administer medication to your child at school, please contact the school office in the first instance to discuss your child’s requirements.

Please note, school staff will only administer medication that:

• has been prescribed by a qualified health practitioner (e.g. doctor, dentist)
• is in its original container
• has an attached pharmacy label.

Office staff will ask you to complete and sign Section 1 of the Administration of medication at school record sheet.

N.B. If your child requires more than one medication, you will need to complete a form for each medication.

Requirements for students at risk of anaphylaxis

If your child is at risk of anaphylaxis, it is important for you to provide the school with your child’s emergency medication and their ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan, completed by your doctor. This Anaphylaxis Action Plan provides the instructions for the school to administer your child’s medication in an emergency, which is specific to respond to their health condition. 

Requirements for students at risk of asthma

If your child has asthma and requires assistance to administer their medication, it is important for you to provide the school with your child’s emergency medication and their Asthma Action Plan, completed by your doctor. An Asthma Action Plan provides specific instructions for the school to administer your child’s medication.

If you have any concerns about your child’s health concerns, please contact Kerry Gilmore.

Kerry Gilmore

Deputy Principal - Lower Years

Deputy Principal - Upper Years

Wunya everyone.

We are so excited to be back at school for 2024. What a great year we have ahead of us here at Caboolture Special School.

My name is Sheree Carter and I am the Upper Years Deputy Principal (classes J to X).

Our lovely school is growing and this year sees some classroom changes across the school with some of our upper years’ students utilising S block and the oval for play times which is a new and exciting experience.

Our senior students will have the opportunity to order their senior shirts for 2024 and these letters will be going out to families shortly.

A reminder that families can observe and celebrate their children’s successes here at school on a daily/weekly basis through the social platform SeeSaw. If you have not been given access to SeeSaw as yet please contact your child’s teacher.

We welcome each and every family to participate in their child’s learning journey so please watch out for events and celebrations that will be occurring across the term. Assembly is held every Friday in the hall from 9:15am and all families are welcome to attend.

Have a great weekend!

Sheree Carter

Deputy Principal - Upper Years

Curriculum Corner

Such as great start to the school year. Teachers will spend the first few weeks building relationships and getting to know students to set the stage for a fantastic year full of learning.

Our curriculum plan this year is divided into three areas Prep, Lower Primary and Upper Primary. Teachers will cater for individual learning needs while delivering context from the age- equivalent curriculum.

Below is the curriculum outline for Semester 1. Prep Curriculum will be delivered in Classes 1-6, Lower Primary will be accessed by Classes A – I and Upper Primary will be delivered in Classes J-X.

These overviews have  the context that will be used to teach and assess the listed General Capapbilies for this semester. 

Looking forward to sharing some great learning experiences and achievements in the upcoming newsletter.

Regards, 

Katie Rogers 

Head of Department - Curriculum 

Respectful Relationships at CSS

This year in all Queensland State Schools including at Caboolture Special School, teachers and school leaders are implementing a new program to help support all young people from Prep to Grade 12.  It is called the Respectful Relationships Education program and it covers a range of topics relevant for all young people as they navigate growing up and what it means to look after their health and well-being.  The three main topics covered are - Personal and Social Awareness, Respectful Interactions and Protective Behaviours.  Our school priorities teachers will be introducing these topics through the delivery of Health and Physical Education and our classroom teaching teams will continue to embrace our Positive Behaviour for Learning approach which links beautifully to the concepts being covered in this new government initiative.  Check out the website for information for parents and carers https://learningplace.eq.edu.au/cx/resources/file/a0ba1327-a69e-474d-a220-acfff7542960/1/index.html 

As with any new program and especially one of this nature that relies on parent involvement to ensure we are working collaboratively to support your young people, we will be working very closely with parents, carers and community and providing information through various platforms and face to face as the year gets underway. 

I had the opportunity to explore the program with staff at our recent Student Free Days and share with them my own professional background working with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Education QLD to develop materials that have been used to support students in a Special Education setting.  Last year our teachers Chela and Lucie also contributed to the Respect Program through providing expert advice on how they could adapt their teaching materials to reflect our learners and their needs.  It has been a very exciting time for the CSS team and we are very proud of our shared commitment to delivering this program in a highly effective and engaging manner.  I can assure you all that we have a very passionate and capable team who will be working to develop their knowledge further and we look forward to meeting parents soon.

Tanya Jolly 

Head of Department - Pedagogy

Guidance Counsellor - Asha Kumar

A warm welcome to all our returning families and also to all our families that are new to Caboolture Special School!

My name is Asha Kumar and I am excited to continue working as a Guidance Counsellor at our school for 2024. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday are my working days. I work at Griffin State School on Wednesdays.

Marianna Geise is working at our school on Wednesdays as the Guidance Officer.

NDIS Information Session - Expression of Interest

If you are interested in getting an update about current NDIS policies, please contact our school office with your contact details or email me on akuma59@eq.edu.au to register your interest. If we have enough participants interested, we will arrange an information session at our school site.

I look forward to meeting you sometime in the near future and working with your children this year.

______________________________________________________________

Bedtime Tips

Does your child have trouble sleeping?
Children with autism can have trouble sleeping for a number of reasons. They can be more sensitive to light, textures, and noise. 

Some children with autism have low muscle tone, or other problems, and that can cause breathing disruption or contribute to sleep apnoea. And some medications can affect sleep.

Sleep problems aren't forever, but you can do lots to help. 

Help your child get ready for sleep

 Let your child get plenty of exercise and sunlight early in the day.

• Use a visual schedule and stick to a schedule.
• Don't watch TV or use the computer right before bed. 
• Offer a warm bath or a massage.
• Don't tickle.  That revs up the nervous system.
• Reduce your spoken language.
• Eat a lighter dinner, light on protein, which is harder to digest.  Or eat early and have a light snack before bed.
• Read a simple story.  Some favorites: Goodnight Moon, Giraffes Can't Dance.

Create a room conducive for sleep

• A clutter-free bedroom.
• Create a separate playroom, if possible.
• Wedge pillows, towels, or bedding under child’s feet or
  sides.
• Cotton knit sheets.
• Snug-fitting cotton pyjamas; remove tags.
• Glow in the dark stars on ceiling.
• Mitigate for dust.
• Try an air cleaner or humdifier.
• White noise machines screen out noise.
  
  

If all else fails

• Ask your doctor about adjusting medications.
• Treat any allergies or sleep apnoea (your child can be tested for sleep apnoea).
• Read: Sleep Better -- A Guide for Improving Sleep for Children with Special Needs.
• Consult your pediatrician, neurologist, or a sleep disorder clinic.

Source: https://livingwellwithautism.com/

Asha Kumar

Guidance Officer

Book Club - Issue 1

Book Club is a great way to share reading in the home. There are two issues of Book Club a term that will be sent home with students. There is no obligation to purchase, it is just an opportunity offered to our school community. 

Issue 1 will be sent home early next week - so look out for catalogues in school bags! 

All orders are placed and paid for online. If you have any difficulties or questions please contact Katie Rogers - Head of Curriculum - kroge30@eq.edu.au.