Caboolture Special School Week 5, Term 3, 2024
Principal News
Dear Caboolture Special School community members
Well into Term 3 now with the successes of our students evident every school day.
Student attendance
Currently 85.7% - thank you for the (ongoing) collective efforts here.
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).
School Opinion Survey
The suite of School Opinion Surveys is undertaken each year by the Department of Education to obtain opinions about your child's school from families, school staff and students in target year levels (5, 6, 8 and 11). The surveys will help identify what we are doing well, and understand where we can improve. The survey invitation was emailed in the week beginning 15 July and is titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2024.
Each school family will receive one email invitation from the Department of Education to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey. The survey is anonymous.
Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey can be completed via computers, tablets or smart phones with an internet connection. For Parents/Caregivers who do not have access to the internet school computers/tablets will be available. Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au
P&C Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Well done and thank you to organisers and supporters.
Creative Generation—State Schools Onstage
Our amazing Caboolture Special School CGEN team represented our school community at this significant event in Brisbane and did us all proud. Our students also performed alongside their Burpengary State High School (SHS) partners at both Burpengary SHS and Caboolture Special School after the main event.
Thanks to all concerned, including staff and parents/carers for your investment of time with the event organisation.
Playground enhancements
The playground working group has helped initiate significant enhancements totalling $26 000 to playground areas including:-
- additional pathways in ParkLands, interactive boards ordered for ParkLands and L Block playgrounds, approved sandpit for S Block playground area.
I will also be applying for a significant grant to install a sizable playground area in the vicinity of S Block play area in the next round of State School Subsidy applications, due in November.
School Growth
With few exceptions, Special Schools across the State are seeing increases in their school populations. Our school is exceeding by some margin average growth across the sector. At this point in time and on current information, I am foreseeing an additional 4-5 classes at our school next year. Preparations are well underway in having a number of currently on site demountable buildings + room L205 ‘furniture ready’ by end of term in early preparation for 2025.
Website Enhancements
Our school website has some new photos and updated information. I encourage interested parties to take a look - https://caboolturespecs.eq.edu.au/
Grounds
The grounds are looking good! Thanks to grounds staff and invested parties for your work making our school as welcoming as possible.
Security
We have made significant improvements with school security over recent years, including increased rigor around the unlocking and locking of boundary gates, high fencing around the total perimeter of school boundary and on site CCTV cameras. The next stage of these security improvements will be a ‘buzz in’ feature being installed on the two pedestrian gates on Torrens Rd, bringing our school more in line with new school builds. Once these new and enhanced security features are installed, this will mean visitors to the school site will need to buzz into the office to enter through these two pedestrian entries. Quotations for this work are currently being sourced.
Metropolitan North Region (MNR) Special School Principal Network
Our school hosted the MNR Special School Principal Network Meeting on 7 August. Regional Director Gary Austin and School Supervisor Ric Day were in attendance, along with Special School Principals and Special School support staff from across the Region.
Metropolitan North Region (MNR) Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Network
We hosted this meeting on 9 August, learning with and from our PBL colleagues from across the Region.
Parent/carer student pick up
A reminder that it is essential that authorised persons picking up students from school make direct contact with the relevant school staff member before escorting their student out of the school grounds.
For early student pick ups, authorised persons must call into the school office for an early departure slip prior to student pick up.
Please direct late student arrivals (accompanied by their parent/carer) to office for late slip.
Sports Carnival – Date Claimer
16 August. We would love to see as many school community members as possible at this annual event.
School Collaboration/Partnerships/School Reputation and Standing
Burpengary Meadows SS staff have heard amazing things about our school (as shared with me by their Head of Inclusion) and I have accepted their polite request for a few educators to come along and join in the fun on sports day as they learn more about adjustments we make in physical activities that will assist many learners in the local community.
Morayfield East SS has also reached out this week about partnership opportunities with us.
Such collaborative work is something for us all to be proud of as we work together across schools and continue to build on the fine name of our school.
Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) Special Education Committee Meeting
I met with my fellow QTU Special Education Committee members on 7 August from 4pm as we discussed and advocated for the work of special education staff across our State.
Adelaide Drive Footpath Construction Works
This work is reaching finalisation.
Mobile Principal Office
I am implementing innovative ways of working in order to spend more time in classrooms with our students, teachers and teacher aides. I have been working within a 'mobile Principal office' when possible, basing myself in classrooms for periods of time and bringing along my laptop and stepping outside for calls, meetings, student support etc.
EKKA Holiday
Monday 12 August – school closed on this day.
Best wishes
Sheldon Boland
(Always Proud) Principal
Deputy Principal News
Dear Families,
So many amazing things happening at our school at the moment!
Creative Generations State Schools on Stage (CGEN) 2024
Firstly, the incredible team who represented Caboolture Special School at the 2024 Creative Generations on Stage in Brisbane in week 2. Our 7 students were part of a cast of over 2000 students at CGEN 2024 for its 20th anniversary! The students performed beautifully throughout all five shows and have made our school very proud. We were lucky enough to perform with our dance buddies from Burpengary State Secondary College at their high school and at our school. A huge congratulations to Cierra, Harrison, Noah T, Noah M, Isaac, Jandamarra and Aneet. Thank you to all the staff that have made this event possible.
We look forward to another opportunity next year in 2025!
Creative Generations State Schools on Stage 2024
School Photos
Our school photos have been taken for the 2024 school year and are in production with the photo company.
We will let you know when they have arrived back at school.
If you have any questions about school photos, please contact MSP Photography on 07 3865 4291.
Prep Students – Free Vision Screening
An email has been sent to Prep families to let you know that the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program is coming to our school.
They are a Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep. If your child is in Prep and you would like their vision screened, please complete a consent form using the below link or QR code.
Screening commencement date: Thursday, 12 September, 2024
Link and QR code will close on Sunday, 1 September, 2024
https://visionscreening.health.qld.gov.au/ParentalConsent/0105oumZ
Thank you everyone! Have a great weekend!
Kerry Gilmore
Deputy Principal
Deputy Principal - Upper Years
Halfway through Term 3 and not slowing down. Here at CSS we have a lot of events occurring. Next week we have Lee Street State Special School staff coming to meet with our Year 6 students to begin to prepare for their exciting journey ahead into high school.
Lee Street staff will be meeting with year 6 students here at CSS in classrooms as well as our students visiting Lee Street for Year 6 Transition days which is a valuable and rich experience for all. These dates are as follows:
Observation visits with Lee St staff (visit in class)
- Wednesday 14th August 9:30am-10:15am
- Tuesday 10th September 11:30am-12:15pm
- Tuesday 22nd October 11:30am-12:15pm
Transition Visits at Lee St State Special School
- Wednesday 28th August 9:30am-10:15am
- Thursday 3rd October 9:30am-10:15am
- Thursday 14th November 9:30am-10:15am
Lee Street will also be offering multiple parent/carer information sessions and will liaise directly with families around these as we move forward.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding high school transitions please contact me directly via the school office.
Regards,
Sheree Carter
Upper School Deputy
Star Students - Term 3, Week 5, 2024
Name | Class | Award |
Tanvir | Class 6 | Bronze |
William B | Class K | Bronze |
Riley H | Class L | Silver |
Imogen | Class P | Silver |
Willa | Class P | Silver |
Cierra | Class X | Silver |
Dexter | Class X | Silver |
Thomas D | Class X | Silver |
Lola | Class L | Silver |
Micah | Class C | Silver |
Stella W | Class P | Silver |
Layla | Class P | Silver |
Igor | Class R | Silver |
Jaxson | Class R | Silver |
Sammie | Class J | Silver |
Yazmine | Class X | Silver |
Hunter M-R | Class P | Silver |
Matty | Class 4 | Silver |
Dylan | Class 4 | Silver |
William | Class F | Silver |
Jacob W-D | Class C | Silver |
Zavier | Class S | Silver |
London-Maddison | Class C | Silver |
Nakaiyan | Class H | Silver |
Hunter H | Class H | Silver |
Kingston | Class I | Silver |
Manny | Class I | Silver |
Bethangel | Class I | Silver |
Haiden | Class V | Silver |
Hoia | Class U | Silver |
Elliot | Class R | Silver |
Paytenn Jayde | Class 5 | Silver |
Maddison E | Class R | Silver |
Macky | Class 4 | Silver |
Millie | Class M | Silver |
Ayla M | Class 5 | Silver |
Amelia | Class B | Silver |
Abel | Class 2 | Silver |
Leo J | Class 6 | Silver |
Robert | Class E | Silver |
Ekam | Class I | Silver |
Edith-May | Class I | Silver |
Leo P | Class H | Silver |
Armaan | Class H | Silver |
Jasmine | Class I | Silver |
Mia-Clover | Class Q | Silver |
Samuel | Class Q | Silver |
Isaiah | Class A | Gold |
Harrison L | Class A | Gold |
Elle | Class M | Gold |
Ty | Class A | Gold |
Matthew | Class S | Gold |
River | Class A | Gold |
Ray | Class A | Gold |
Curriculum Corner
Individual Curriculum Plans Semester 2
Teachers have been busily preparing Individual Curriculum Plans (ICPs) for our students this term. ICPs record the curriculum level your child will be taught, assessed and reported on for Semester 2, 2024.
As part of this process, parent and/or carer and teacher meetings will be held sometime between weeks 7 – 10. These meetings are to discuss your child’s learning progression and also strategies that will be put in place by the class teacher and teacher aide. Teachers will share with you your child’s individual learning goals for literacy, writing and communication.
The ICP process requires parents/carers to discuss, provide input on and endorse the ICP plan.
Your child’s teacher will contact you soon to organise a meeting time and date. We look forward to your valued participation within this process.
Maths Learning
Recently teachers engaged with Rob Proffit-White from Learner First to explore using games to engage learners.
The principles of mathematically rich games were shared. Games need to -:
1. All students need to be engaged
2. Balance between skill and luck
3. Maths concepts are being explored
4. Flexible games that can be modified for all
5. Home connections - can students play at home?
Many of our classes have been trailing these fun games and learning along the way!
Have you engaged in a game at home?
Learning to take turns
Learning to partition numbers and
play the game.
Everyone wins!
Queensland Symphony Orchestra Experience
Some classes were able to attend a relaxed concert performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. The excursion was an adventure starting with a bus trip into the "big city"
Student have then written recounts about the excursion. Such amazing progress has been made in the area of writing and students being able share their ideas.
Great Work!
Katie Rogers
Head of Department - Curriculum
Sports Day - Friday August 16th
Parents and Carers are invited to join in the fun of Sports Day.
Timetable of Events -
9am -10am Classes J - X Rotational Activities in Parklands
10am - 11am Classes 1 -6, A -I Rotational activities in Parklands
11:30 am - Races on the back oval starting with Prep Classes
Students can wear their house colours on the day.
Our reversible sports colour house hats have arrived! Just in time for sports day! These hats are 57cm with a toggle for adjustable size. One side has the school logo and colours while the reverse side has one of the four sports colour and house names. They are $18 each and are now available to order on QKR.
Please contact your class teacher if unsure of your child's house colour.
Ekka Show Holiday
