Caboolture Special School Week 10 Term 3, 2025

Principal News

Dear Caboolture Special School community members

This has been another incredibly successful term for our students who continue to work hard and impress themselves and others with their achievements.

Our 2025 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 

One AIP priority = Implementation of Australian Curriculum (Version 9) across learning areas, with a focus on literacy and numeracy within safe, engaging, communicative and learning enriched environments.  

Student Attendance

83.9%

Caboolture Special School continues to rank in the top tier of special schools in the State with regards student attendance - well done to all.

School Planning – ‘next steps’

Recently, staff and school community members were invited to provide feedback on what they deemed were the most important improvement strategies from the recent school review report.

Staff and school community have listed the following top 5 improvement strategies as our ‘next steps’, with 1 being the most popular to 5 being the fifth most popular.  The top 5 improvement strategies selected by staff and school community members from the list of next steps are the same top 5 improvement strategies selected by school reviewers from the list of next steps, although the order is different.

1 - Broaden staff capability in implementing multi-tiered strategies, practices and interventions for students with complex behaviour and engagement needs to ensure consistent, effective support in a learning-focused environment.

2 - Collaboratively identify and communicate all staff members' roles and responsibilities to provide clarity and foster greater accountability for driving improvement strategies and actions.

3 - Systematically enact processes for leaders and teachers to purposefully engage in modelling, observations and feedback on teaching practice to support implementation of effective pedagogy.

4 - Prioritise implementation of a data informed Multi Tiered System (of) Support (MTSS), that includes staff capability development, to enact targeted and intensive supports that meet the needs of diverse learners.

5 - Collaboratively develop leaders' and teachers' assessment literacy to support teachers in monitoring students learning progress and identify next steps for learning.

Emerging themes from the improvement areas for future planning have been:

*Facilitating curriculum through purposeful pedagogy.

*Building professional capabilities for impactful practice.

*Monitoring performance to drive continuous improvement.

We will continue to develop these areas of focus to inform the development of our school's 2026 Annual Implementation Plan and Four-Year Strategic Plan (2026-2029).

Pancake Day

Thank you Chappy Krystal and team for your organisation of Pancake Day.  Thank you also to all supporters.

2026 Class Formations - parent and carer input

Parents and carers who wish to share information not already known to the school for consideration in the 2026 class placements will have the opportunity to do so via the official 2026 Class Formation Parent/Carer Information Form, which will be distributed in Term 4, Week 1.

Classroom Observation and Feedback (COAF)

Our teachers and school leaders benefit from formalised COAF processes each term, maintaining our school's standing as a facilitator of high quality practice.

Weekly Student Support Discussions

DPs, GO and I have student support focused discussions each Monday morning (10-10.30am) at our weekly student support discussion meetings, collaborating on current supports and ‘next steps’ for students that require additional supports at that moment in time.  

New P-6 Playground – coming

Our Working group – playgrounds has recently met and discussed ideas for the new P-6 playground.

Do you have an idea for the P-6 playground?  If so, please email it through to me on sbola5@eq.edu.au.  

Principal Tours

Principal tours will soon start for new families joining us in 2026.  Parents and carers of students intending to enrol at Caboolture Special School in 2026 are invited to attend a group tour of our school on one of the below scheduled dates:-.

Tour Dates:

• Friday, 19 September
• Friday, 31 October
• Friday, 28 November
• Friday, 12 December

Time: 10:00am – 10:30am 

Meeting Point: Front Administration Block

Tours include a ‘walk and talk’ around the school grounds, providing a general overview of our facilities and ways of working. Please note that tours do not enter classrooms and individual student needs are not discussed during these tours. Personalised conversations will instead occur during future enrolment meetings with one of our Deputy Principals. 

Please RSVP for school tours on 54314444.

Infrastructure

We are close communication with Infrastructure Branch on our growing school’s needs as far as future learning and flexible area spaces are concerned.  I’ll keep school community members updated on any developments.

Term 4 Friday Assemblies

(9.15am start in school hall)

Week 1 - whole school assembly

Odd weeks (other than week 1) – Classes 1-16 assembly

Even weeks (other than week 10) – Classes 17-37 assembly

Week 10 (last week) - no assembly

There are all manner of events that occur in Term 4.  I encourage school community members to continue to monitor classroom and whole school SeeSaw messages to keep up to speed on the always exciting and busy goings on at our school.

I will also take the opportunity to wish school community members and their families a safe and happy holiday.  School resumes for Term 4 on Tuesday 7 October.

Best wishes

Sheldon Boland

(Always proud) Principal

Deputy Principal News

As we close out an amazing term three, I wish all our families the very best over the holiday period.

Term three has been extremely busy with so many activities included. We have had CGEN, NAIDOC day, Sports day, School photos, Book week parade, Prep vision screening and excursions to CREEC and the Caboolture Historical Village! So many fun adventures we have had!

Enjoy some photos from my adventures this term.

Term Three

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Flouride Varnish

Next term the school dental clinic will be visiting our school. The flouride varnish program is free to all families. The team will be here on Monday 3 November.

Due to numbers, they may need to come an extra day which will be Thursday 6 November (if required).

Parents will need to complete a consent form for this dental check to occur.

This consent form will be sent home early next term. There is also a link on the flyer if you wish to complete the consent online.

Regards

Kerry Gilmore

Deputy Principal (Classes 1-16)

Deputy Principal News

Term 3 has come to an end and what a great term it has been.  Thank you to all our staff, students, families and community members for making our school a positive, welcoming, happy and supportive place to be.

Term 4 we have so many events happening and it is going to be fantastic! Swimming will be on from weeks 2-6 and further information and swimming forms will be sent out in week 1 to all families. This is a free program provided for by the school.

Term 3 was packed with experiences such as  Book Week. excursions and class learning accomplishments. Here are a few highlights - 

Have a great relaxing break and see you ready for term 4!

Katie Rogers 
Deputy Principal 
Classes 17-28

Deputy Principal News

During HASS and Design Technology lessons, Upper Years students have been exploring the sustainable use of both renewable and non-renewable resources. They are investigating how everyday materials can be repurposed to create useful items and how these creations can benefit the wider community. Around the school, students can be seen disposing of waste responsibly, using the correct bins, and collecting bottles to place in green recycling bins. These practices help teach students important life-long skills in caring for the environment, which will have a lasting, positive impact on the community.

Some classes have planted seedlings in a variety of planters, including creative designs that reuse drink bottles that were then hung in trees. In addition to learning about environmental care, students are also spreading the message by creating colourful signs to display in the garden areas, encouraging the whole school community to get involved.

One class produced innovative multimedia art using recycled materials, which they proudly shared with the broader community by exhibiting their work at the Burpengary Library. These kinds of projects help strengthen connections between the school and the community by promoting the exchange of valuable skills and knowledge.

Further community involvement included several classes visiting Lee Street High School for the All-Abilities Sports Day. Students participated in a variety of activities such as golf, soccer, table tennis, football, and Special Olympics events. This was a fantastic opportunity for Caboolture Special School students to engage with peers from other special schools and enjoy inclusive sporting experiences.

Additionally, students had the opportunity to attend weekly Thursday afternoon soccer sessions led by a professional coach. These sessions have been highly engaging, and parents have also had the opportunity to watch and support their children.

Regards, 

Katheen Evans 
Acting Deputy Principal 
Classes 29-37

Business Manager News

The Power of Kindness and Checking In: Building a Stronger Caboolture Special School Community

At Caboolture Special School, we know that education is more than just curriculum—it's about connection, compassion, and community. One of the most powerful ways we nurture this environment is through simple acts of kindness and regularly checking in with one another. These small gestures have a big impact, especially in a school where every staff member plays a vital role in supporting our students' diverse needs.

Kindness in the workplace fosters a culture of respect and empathy. Whether it's a warm greeting in the morning, a thoughtful note, or offering help during a busy day, these moments create a ripple effect. Staff feel valued, seen, and supported, which in turn boosts morale and strengthens teamwork. At Caboolture Special School, where collaboration is key, kindness helps build trust and resilience among colleagues.

Checking in with one another—asking “Are you okay?” or “How’s your day going?”—can make a world of difference. These conversations, even brief ones, open the door to support and understanding. They remind us that we’re not alone in the challenges we face and that we’re part of a caring community. For staff working in high-demand roles, this emotional support is essential to maintaining wellbeing and preventing burnout.

We’ve seen firsthand how these practices contribute to a positive school culture. Staff who feel cared for are more engaged, creative, and confident in their roles. Students benefit too, as they thrive in an environment where adults model empathy and emotional intelligence. Kindness isn’t just a value—it’s a skill we teach by example.

As we move through the school year, let’s continue to prioritise kindness and connection. Whether it’s through a quick check-in, a shared laugh, or a helping hand, every act counts. Together, we’re creating a workplace where people feel safe, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Let’s keep looking out for one another—because at Caboolture Special School, kindness is not just appreciated, it’s essential.

With Gratitude

Biddy Adams

Business Manager

Curriculum Corner

As part of our commitment to delivering a personalised and meaningful education for every student, our dedicated teaching team has been working diligently this term to develop Individual Curriculum Plans (ICPs) for all students across the school.

Each ICP is a carefully designed document that outlines a student’s personalised learning goals, aligned with their current abilities and future learning needs. These plans are tailored to ensure that every student is actively engaged in learning that is both accessible and appropriately challenging, within the framework of the Australian Curriculum Version 9 (V9). We are proud of the work our teachers have done to ensure that every student has a clear, achievable learning path this semester. 

This term, our students have enjoyed a variety of exciting excursions and incursions that brought learning to life! Classes visited the Caboolture Historical Village, where they explored local history through hands-on experiences with olden-day artefacts and buildings. Our science incursion sparked curiosity with interactive experiments and the exploration of how materials can bend, twist and stretch, while the dance incursions had students moving, grooving, and expressing themselves through rhythm and movement. Outdoor fun continued with visits to the CREEC playground, where students enjoyed nature-based play and social interaction in a beautiful, inclusive environment. These rich experiences support learning in fun, meaningful ways for all our students. 

Until next time, 

Jody O'Shea & Chela Mega 

Curriculum Team 

Guidance Officer News

Is FAFO the End of Gentle Parenting or Just the Start of Bigger Problems?

If you’ve spent time on TikTok or read the Wall Street Journal lately, you might have come across a new parenting buzzword: FAFO parenting. It stands for “Fuss Around and Find Out” (a cleaner version of the original phrase, where the first “F” is a somewhat stronger word).

The idea is simple: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Don’t step in when your child makes a mistake — let life teach them. Forget their raincoat? Let them get drenched. Refuse to eat dinner? Let them go hungry until breakfast. Spray Mum with a water gun after being told not to? Into the pool you go.

Supporters claim this “tough love” approach prepares kids for the real world, sets firm boundaries, and builds resilience. But as tempting as it sounds (especially when we’re tired of endless negotiating), there’s a darker side parents should understand.

Why FAFO Parenting Backfires

1. It damages the relationship. When kids know you’ll let them suffer to “teach a lesson,” they stop seeing you as a safe place to turn. They may go elsewhere for comfort — sometimes to people you wouldn’t choose.
2. It confuses punishment with learning. Being left hungry doesn’t teach meal planning. Walking home in a thunderstorm doesn’t build weather awareness. Kids learn that parents let bad things happen and they feel unworthy of their parents’ help. What they don’t learn is how to solve problems.
3. It creates compliance, not character. Children may obey out of fear, but that doesn’t build integrity, empathy, or good judgment. True resilience comes from feeling supported, not punished.

A Better Way Forward

Discipline isn’t about dishing out pain to prove a point. It’s about problem-solving together. 

That statement needs to be on repeat. Too many of us feel like it’s our job to make our kids pay a price when they are challenging. That’s the opposite of what good discipline looks like. The best discipline recognises that children aren’t the problem. They’re having a problem. And if we can support them in solving that problem, the challenging behaviour goes away. 

So, if FAFO isn’t the answer, what is?

Here are three approaches that truly help kids learn and grow:

1. Connection First

Children behave best when they feel seen, heard, and valued. Before stepping in with correction, start with connection. That might mean kneeling to their level, making eye contact, and saying, “I can see you’re really frustrated right now.” Or, “It’s a pretty tricky situation huh?” When kids know you’re on their side, their defences come down. They feel safe enough to listen and safe enough to learn.

Connection doesn’t excuse the behaviour — it creates the conditions where change becomes possible. Think of it like building a bridge: without connection, there’s no path across. With it, you can walk your child to better choices.

1. Collaborate on Solutions

Rather than letting “life” teach hard lessons, we can teach problem-solving. Instead of, “You didn’t bring your raincoat, now you’re soaked — bet you won’t forget next time,” try, “Looks like you’re wet and cold. What can we do differently tomorrow so this doesn’t happen again?”

These small conversations build responsibility without shame. Children learn that mistakes aren’t fatal; they’re stepping stones. And they learn that you’re willing to help them think through better strategies — which is exactly the skill they’ll need when you’re not around to rescue them.

1. Coach, Don’t Control

Our role isn’t to coerce compliance but to coach competence. Coaching means guiding with patience, encouragement, and high expectations. It’s sitting beside your child at the homework table and asking, “What’s your plan to get started?” rather than standing over them with threats.

Force creates resistance. Coaching opens up the possibility of growth. It allows kids to build the inner compass they’ll need long after childhood.

This isn’t about bubble-wrapping our children. We aren’t trying to protect them from hard things. Life will bring plenty of natural challenges. But home should be their safe base — the place where they know someone always

Trends like FAFO parenting may grab attention online, but they miss the heart of what our children need most: connection before correction. When kids know they’re loved, supported, and guided through challenges, they don’t just become obedient — they become resilient, kind, and capable human beings.

Source: Dr Justin Coulson

https://happyfamilies.com.au 

Asha Kumar

Guidance Officer

Bus Transport

Reminder - 
If your child is not taking the bus in the afternoon then contact must be made with the bus company and school office. 
This includes early pick up or changes to pick up arrangements. 

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Are you wanting to apply for bus transport for 2026
OR needing to change trips?

Then applications need to be submitted  as soon as possible. Please contact the office for the required paperwork. 

Bus companies will begin to plan for 2026 runs next term. Late application for transport at the beginning of the year can take 3-6 weeks, sometimes longer as runs are full. 

Bus companies cannot make changes through conversations with families. It is important to also note that once the forms are lodged the school office has no further responsibilities and only gets updated after parents are informed changes have been made.

If you have questions or need changes made to bus transport, please call in to the school office or email kroge30@eq.edu.au

Workplace Safety

SCHOOL WATCH

The School Watch program encourages everyone to look out for and report any after-hours crime in our schools.

Empty schools can become targets for unlawful entry, arson, stealing, graffiti and property damage, especially during school holiday periods. This comes at a cost to the whole community and not just the financial cost of repairs.

The School Watch program is a partnership between the Department of Education and Protective Services Group, Queensland Police Service, providing a way for members of the community to report anything they see that is suspicious, even if it seems minor.

Caboolture Special School has CCTV (Closed circuit television) installed within the grounds.  These are specifically utilised to capture intruders to our great school and to ensure we continue to safely educate and engage our students.  This is for all students, staff, family members, carers and the broader school community.

Look, Listen, Report. Call School Watch on 13 17 88.

If you see a crime in progress, call Triple Zero (000).

Kind Regards

Joyce Schaper

Workplace Safety and Injury Management Coordinator 

Chaplaincy News

Hello Everyone!

As we wrap up another fantastic term, it has been a joy to witness the school spirit alive and thriving throughout our community. The energy and connection across the school has truly been something special and a privilege to be part of.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of continuing to connect with students and staff, offering practical support wherever possible. One of the highlights was hosting our whole-school Pancake Day — and what a success it was! The joy on students’ faces and the buzz around the school made all the effort more than worth it. A big thank you to the amazing volunteers, staff, and wider school community who helped make the day run so smoothly — it couldn’t have happened without you.

Kaye and I also recently relaunched the Staff Coffee Shop on Fridays — a small initiative with a big heart. Designed to support staff wellbeing, this pop-up café will now run every three weeks, providing a warm and welcoming space for connection, conversation, and encouragement. We are excited about the potential to grow this initiative and, in time, extend it to include the wider school community.

As we head into the holidays, I want to wish everyone a peaceful and restful break. It’s been a busy term, and I hope you all find time to recharge, reflect, and enjoy the things that matter most. I am looking forward to seeing everyone back, refreshed and ready for a great Term Four — and continuing to support our students, staff, and families in meaningful ways as we finish the year strong together!

Until next time,

Chappy Krystal

P & C News

What a Term! it has been full of exciting things to report 

Sports Day – What a Fantastic Day!
Our recent Sports Day was a great success, filled with exciting games, friendly competition, and lots of team spirit. The students had a fantastic time and showed amazing sportsmanship throughout the day – well done to all who participated!  

Father’s Day Stall – Thank You!
A big thank you to everyone who supported our Father’s Day Stall – it was a great success! We loved seeing the joy on the kids' faces as they picked out special gifts, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing Teachers, Teacher Aides and our P&C volunteers. Thank you. 

Next Up: Colour Run!

Get ready for some fun – our Colour Run is just around the corner! Stay tuned for more details coming soon. It’s always a highlight of the year, and we can’t wait to see everyone covered in colour and smiles!

Christmas is Coming
It may seem early, but the festive season is fast approaching! Planning is already underway for our Christmas celebrations, so keep an eye out for ways to get involved.

Thank you for your continued support. We couldn't do it without you!

Monty’s Colour Fun Run coming 08/11/2025

Simply go to www.myprofilepage.com.au and click onto the register button to create a cybersafe, online profile page.

Raise $10 to receive your first incentive prize, there are 15 unique prizes on offer!

You can even earn free bonus donations!

Caboolture Special School 

P & C Association 

Star Students - Week 10, Term 3, 2025