Caboolture Special School Week 5, Term 2, 2024
Principal News
Dear Caboolture Special School community members
As we move deeper into Term 2, we continue to witness the successes of our students on a daily basis.
Student attendance
Currently 86.5% - thank you for the (ongoing) collective efforts here. Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2024 student attendance target is 86%.
2024 AIP School Priorities
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).
Moreton Downs State School – Numeracy
I was our school representative at the recent Rob Profitt-White facilitated numeracy professional development at Moreton Downs State School. Whole school numeracy enhancements are an important part of our 2024 AIP and we are continuing to explore possibilities.
Respectful Relationships Education (RRE) School Community Survey
Our school continues to lead work in the RRE space. Parents and carers will soon be invited to participate in a Departmentally endorsed RRE survey to further inform ‘next steps.’ School community feedback is always welcome.
Friday Staff Dress Up Days
Do some of our staff look a little different on Fridays? A new dress up theme for staff occurs every week. It’s always fun and supports our wellbeing focus.
Student Absences
Our school office (54314444) requires notification from parents or carers of student absences. A voice message service is available during busy times and/or for calls made after hours.
SeeSaw notices to teachers alone are not satisfactory notice for student absences - thank you.
Meeting with Assistant Director-General (ADG)
I met with Chris Lassig (ADG) recently in Brisbane and discussed matters of relevance with him related to our school and the Special Education sector. I typically meet with Chris once a school term.
Advocacy – Special Education
I have recently rolled into my fourth year as a committee member on the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) Special Education Committee. I find this work, advocating in the interests of educators and our future generation, very satisfying.
Book Fair
Thank you for you support of Book Fair this week and to Katie Rogers (Head of Department - Curriculum) for her organisation of this event.
Week 10 – Dance Opportunity
The very popular dance experience from 2023 will be back in week 10 of this term. Teachers will select their preferred timeslot from available day and time options – two classes per session – 30 minute session – dance organisers will advise of available days and times in due course. Free of charge.
Principal Peer Reviewer – Term 2
I will be Principal Peer Reviewer for Logan City Special School (currently Queensland’s largest Special School) as part of their School Review from 21-24 May 2024. Principals may be selected to participate in such reviews to assist individual schools and the Department in this work. All State Schools have a School Review every four years.
School website enhancement work
This is currently underway – updated information and photographs are part of the new offerings. Stay tuned!
Long Service Leave (LSL)
I am on LSL from 10 – 21 June (weeks 9 and 10 of term), spending time fishing in Central Queensland with the bloke who introduced me to this pastime (thanks dad!), my son and some good friends. Deputy Principals Sheree Carter (week 9) and Kerry Gilmore (week 10) will step in for me in my absence, with Bridget Abbott (weeks 9 and 10) covering the Deputy Principal role during this time.
Chaplaincy Week
National Chaplaincy Week (20-24 May) is an annual celebration of school chaplains and the role they and their volunteers play in championing and caring for their local school community. Our Chappy Mouse (aka Melisa) has announced that she has some fantastic prizes on offer in her Chaplaincy Week Raffle. Tickets are 1 ticket for $2 or 3 tickets for $5 and can be purchased on the P&C QKR App. The prizes are: 1 x Gourmet Meat Tray from Thomas Foods 2 x Luxury Food Hampers Money raised goes straight to the Caboolture Special School Chaplaincy Funds. The lucky tickets will be drawn on Tuesday 28th May 2024 when Chappy Mouse is in the House!
Thank you Caboolture Special School commnity members for your ongoing support in what is a truly valued partnership.
Best wishes
Sheldon Boland
(Always Proud) Principal
Deputy Principal News
Learning this term
Across the school we have the privilege of seeing daily work from all our students.
Over the past few weeks classes have been looking at various topics. Here are some examples of what our classes have been busy completing. In literacy time, some classes have studied ‘Tiddalick the frog’ and ‘Where is -the green sheep?’. In mathematics we have been counting, patterning and sorting. In science, some students have been classifying and studying animals.
It is amazing to watch the work that our students produce each and every day!
Amazing work!
Creative Generations State Schools on Stage 2024
This term we are starting our rehearsals for Creative Generations State Schools on Stage 2024 (CGEN)! Thank you to all those parents and carers who nominated their child. We had so many applications this year and the team had a very tough decision to select the final team of eight students. Selection is based on a set of criteria that we use each year including year level/ age, interest level of the student in dancing, attendance, behaviour and staff nomination. The 8 students (and parents/ carers) who have been selected have been notified this week. We encourage those who may have missed out this year, to reapply next year for CGEN25. The students have been hard at work practising their dance with the CGEN team and Lucie Reay!
A reminder that tickets can be purchased by following the link below.
Bus Transport
If you are considering bus transport, please see administration as soon as you can. The process for bus approvals can take some weeks to process.
If you have any changes or edits to make to existing bus transport approvals, this can also take some time to approve. If you are moving house, please advise us as soon as possible.
In some cases, the buses may be full and there will be a waitlist.
If you no longer require bus transport, please make us aware as soon as possible. Other students may be waiting for these seats.
Medication
If your child has any updated health or medication information, please advise the office as soon as possible.
All the best for the rest of the term ahead!
Kerry Gilmore and Sheree Carter
Deputy Principals
Curriculum Corner
Brave hearts' lovable lion cub mascot 'Ditto' is coming to visit!
Wednesday 29th May
Every class will attend a 30min show on the day and meet Ditto.
Brave hearts Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Program offers trusted and effective personal safety education for children primary school.
Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Program is a fun and effective personal safety education program, curriculum-aligned with the Australian Curriculum.
Brave hearts encourages parents and carers to also explore free resources, such as information sheets on topics related to the prevalence, indicators, and effects of child sexual abuse, as well as download a free booklet – Protecting Children and Young People from Sexual Abuse: A Guide for Parents and Carers.
Report Cards
Semester 1 report cards will be emailed to familes at the end of this term.
Have you updated your contact details to ensure emails are recieved?
Contact office staff to enquire or make changes.
Katie Rogers
Head of Depeartment Curriculum
Your feelings: When Children Are Diagnosed with Disability - Guidance Officer
If your child gets a diagnosis of disability, autism or other additional needs, you might have a range of feelings, especially while you get used to the diagnosis.
You might have times when you feel sad or have a sense of grief, especially when you think about the dreams you had for your child and family.
There can be feelings of blame – directed towards yourself and other people. Or you might wonder why this has happened to your family.
It’s also common to worry about the future, for both your child and your family.
You might feel relieved too, especially if you’ve been worried about your child’s development for a while. A diagnosis means you can ask questions about your child’s development and get support from professionals.
At the same time, you might feel confused and overloaded with information, conflicting advice and pressure to make decisions.
Your feelings can be influenced by how your child’s needs affect other parts of your life – it could have an influence on your work, social life or the amount of time you can spend on personal interests or hobbies. Your child’s diagnosis could also alter your sense of identity as a parent, particularly if you start connecting with disability-specific parent support groups or find yourself advocating for your child’s needs.
The amount of support you have from others, like a partner, family and friends, might also affect how you feel.
There’s no ‘right’ way to feel, and all your feelings are valid. Dealing with your feelings is part of coming to terms with the diagnosis and moving on with your life, your child’s life and your family’s life.
Adapted from: Raisingchildren.net.au