MOSS Newsletter - Term 2, 2023
- A Message from Mike Curtis - Principal
- A Message from Chrissy Hamilton (A/Deputy Principal)
- A Message from Sandra Schuptar - HOSES - ECDP
- A Message from Juliet Young - Education Program Officer (EPO)
- A Message from Bill Schneider - School Chaplain
- From G Hub
- From D/E Hub
- From A Hub
- From B/C Hub
- From H/I Hub
- From J Hub
- From the P&C
- Open Theatre Drama Workshops
- Brisbane Fresh Futures Post-School Options Disability EXPO
- 2023 School Calendar
A Message from Mike Curtis - Principal
Dear Families
It is with much excitement writing this, knowing I will be here as Principal now for a long time! I am now able to continue the work on a shared vision for MOSS, ready for our next four-year planning period with certainty. I was asked in my interview what my vision for MOSS was and my response was related to Equity and Excellence. These words are currently being used in the Department’s strategic plan but resonate with me as I feel it sums up what the leadership team and I are striving for. My vision for Equity relates to my firm belief and consistent intent that all of our students get what they need to thrive in this world. This intent and drive have led to a strong renewed focus on the Personalised Learning Goals (PLGs) to complement their access to the curriculum learning areas. The level of support within the personalised learning goals determines the level of adjustments, strategies and expertise required to achieve them. Students requiring the highest level of support (level 3, intensive) go through a Case Management process that is carefully tracked and monitored by the Student Support Team (SST) every week. We regard our parents and caregivers as being a fundamental part of the Case Management Team and essential in determining the strategies, resources and expertise necessary to progress students through the identified goal.
My vision for Excellence is connected to building the capability and capacity in staff so that we can provide a ‘specialist education’ program that allows the equitable provision of education to occur. Wayne has left a legacy in that his beliefs, ideals and intense work in this area are being continued through his modelling, mentoring and coaching that he passed on to me, the leadership team and wider staff. We were a part of his vison and the structures and processes that he set up with us will be extended, refined and renewed into the next planning period.
So, in a nutshell, what is or will this all translate to?;
- All students accessing the Australian Curriculum through an Individual Curriculum Plan accessing either Highly Individualised Curriculum or Different Year Level-Partial
- Every child at MOSS receiving 3-4 PLG goals in some/all of these Access and Participation areas: Communication, Health, Personal Safety and Care, Social Participation, Access to Learning Activities
- Any students requiring intensive support for any of the goals will receive Case Managed support through a Case Management Team which will be tracked and reviewed through weekly SST meetings
- Teaching and Learning Coaches across the school to support and build capability in staff to start to trial High Impact Teaching Strategies across the school as well as how to adjust and differentiate for each of their students
- Hub leaders in all of the above Access and Participation areas to have a role in hubs to support the team and to action and/or advocate for resources in that area.
What have been some of the highlights and notable events from Semester 1, 2023?
- Completed upgrades of some learning areas, including existing rooms made into classrooms, eg. A Block/Library, J5/Op Shop- some works still to be completed
- New and improved outdoor learning areas through external grants with some new ‘Pod Swings’ through P and C
- Exciting new ‘Inter-programming Model’ in the Senior School where all of our students are engaged in ‘electives’ aligned to their PATH goals
- Highly engaging learning environments, including ‘Special Celebration Days' such as the ANZAC camel fun day!
- Improved traffic management processes, signage, markings, etc for pick-ups and drop-offs
- Confirmation of a $25 million project to accommodate the increase in enrolments.
Once again, thank you to all of you, our MOSS community for your continued partnership and ongoing support. I wish you all a good school holiday period and look forward to continuing it all in term 3.
Regards
Mike
A Message from Chrissy Hamilton (A/Deputy Principal)
Every year, the Rotary Club of Brisbane Centenary sponsors our year 6 students to complete the Rotary Junior Community Award. The Rotary Junior Community Award is a non-competitive award designed to engage students in the community. The students work through a list of activities which are designed to increase knowledge about community values, and give satisfaction in volunteering. In the first session, our students selected activities from the four areas: Service, Skills, Physical Resources, Social Experience to develop a plan, that will be completed midway through term 4.
Each week, the students add a page to their Rotary Award portfolio to showcase the variety of skills learnt and provide evidence of participation in social experiences. So far, the students have learnt about Reconciliation week, participated in soccer, Purple day for Epilepsy, ANZAC day and met with Principal Mike and Di Scotte, from The Rotary Club of Brisbane Centenary, to receive their Rotary lanyards/badges and share their portfolios with Di. The students are thoroughly enjoying this special time together and are great role models for MOSS.
From Chrissy
A Message from Sandra Schuptar - HOSES - ECDP
This term has seen an increase in our number of registrations. We are now supporting over 100 children and are presently waiting on approval for another 12 families.
Our classes are fun and exciting and our children are learning how to play with new friends.
The playground is the place for our families to meet new people and many are making strong connections with each other.
Our playgroup has grown and we now have 8 regular families attending our group with 2 more families due to come before the end of term. Playgroup had the pleasure of having our Principal, Mike Curtis join us for a ‘play date’ during mid-May. Mike had a wonderful time and made the following comments about the value and importance of playgroup;
“On Wednesday I had the privilege to get to play in the playgroup. I was so touched by how such strong connections with our families are made at that early stage when they are coming to terms with the support needs of their children. I felt that it sets a precedent for the care and partnerships that are continued through their ECDP journey and then if they move through our school thereafter. I love how happy and engaged the children were and the explicit intent behind the intervention." Mike Curtis, Principal – Mount Ommaney Special School
The ECDP Playgroup is such a positive start to a child’s educational journey.
At the beginning of Term 2 the ECDP teachers held another Parent Information Session on the range of options our children have for their entry into full time education for 2024. Our families are already well on the way of making the very important decisions for their child’s future educational journey.
We are looking forward to Term 3; welcoming new families into the ECDP community and watching the growth and development of our children as they take on new learning.
A Message from Juliet Young - Education Program Officer (EPO)
ANZAC Commemoration
The start of Term 2 kicked off with our ANZAC Commemoration alongside soldiers from 26 Transport Squadron and their camel mascots, Penny and Vernon. Various activities including pin the tail on the camel, camo face painting, sensory trays, exploring a military vehicle and an army style boot camp course provided plenty of learning and fun for our students. Staff and students were delighted that so many parents and carers were also able to join us.
Soccer Excursions
Our Upper Primary and Senior Secondary students have been participating in Interschool Soccer Carnivals held at Ipswich Showground and Brisbane Lions stadium at Richlands. The chance to meet and play soccer with other schools and explore new surroundings has been a wonderful team building opportunity. Our teams played their best and many ‘good sport’ moments were seen and recognised.
Plastic Lid collection
Students helped load up boxes of cleaned and sorted plastic bottle lids to be taken to our new plastic lid recycling partner Precious Plastic. Dave, from Precious Plastic, was very appreciative of all the hard work our students have done and welcomes any further plastic deliveries.
Volunteers
In the last week of this term we will welcome 11 Centenary State High School students into our school to complete their 20 hours of volunteering necessary to gain their certificate in volunteering. MOSS is pleased to be able to support our local high school and to participate in this program again.
A Message from Bill Schneider - School Chaplain
It's always surprising to see how fast time does really fly when a person is enjoying themselves. I’m very fortunate to be one of those people who really enjoys their job and look forward to working with the students I am lucky enough to be given the opportunity to spend some time with. From the very smallest of people in the ECDP to the students preparing to face the big world next year. I must admit some of the little people have surprised me the most this term with some of their musical talents and their desire to participate in our group activities. There have been occasions when one of our more senior students has joined in with our drumming who in the past would under no circumstance come near a drum, I’ve even caught him seemingly to be having some fun. Little steps taken great confidence gained.
On occasion I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy some of our senior students Thursday lunches. They certainly know how to treat a Chappy with the best BLT Rolls and Ice Coffees in town, Well done to the whole team. This past term a couple of us have gathered on Wednesday mornings to pray for our school community. We will continue to do so every 2nd Wednesday of the month from term three. Over the next few weeks I will be away on leave, returning week 3 of term three. I am available by email if anyone would like to contact me. With the upcoming school holidays, I wish you all well and stay safe if travelling anywhere.
Chappy Bill
Willie.schneider@suchaplaincy.org.au
From G Hub
As we move further into the school year, we are excited to share the progress we have made in creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment for our students. Our focus has been on discovering each child's unique learning style in order to maximize their engagement and learning potential. We watched as their unique personalities shone through.
Understanding how children learn best is essential in tailoring our teaching methods and activities. By identifying their individual strengths and preferences, we can provide personalized learning experiences that cater to their needs. As educators we have been working closely with each student to uncover their learning styles, allowing us to create meaningful and effective lessons.
In addition to academic growth, we have also been fostering relationships among our students and staff. A supportive and inclusive environment is crucial for children to feel comfortable and confident in expressing their needs. By building strong connections with their peers and teachers, our students are developing valuable social skills and a sense of belonging within the school community.
As the weather began to cool down, we made adjustments to our shared learning experiences. Whilst water play was a hit during the warmer months, we have transitioned to sensory activities on the deck. These sessions offer a multitude of learning opportunities, despite the mess they may create. Children are encouraged to use a variety of communication methods, explore different textures, engage their senses, and develop their fine motor skills. The activities have proven to be not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable for our students. Furthermore, all staff members are able to interact with every child, promoting a sense of community and enabling continuity of the curriculum and personalized learning goals.
Looking ahead to the next term, we are excited about the continued growth and development in G Hub. We are thrilled with how far the children have come this year. Our commitment to understanding our students' learning styles, fostering relationships, and creating engaging activities has resulted in a positive and enriching experience for all. We are dedicated to continually improving and providing the best educational opportunities for our students and to make them feel valued and supported.
From D/E Hub
This term in D/E hub we have been busy bees! We eased back into the term and routine well after becoming familiar with our new teachers, peers and classrooms in term 1, and have continued to develop lovely friendships with one-another in term 2.
We celebrated a range of special events across the term including ANZAC day, Mother’s Day, the National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) and some birthdays. We particularly enjoyed reading “The Speedy Sloth” during the NSS. Some of us also made some ANZAC biscuits which were delicious!
We have focused on engagement in a range of different texts, creating a personal journal, adding and taking away in mathematics, hands-on experiments, as well as fine and gross motor skills development and ICT.
On top of working hard across our curriculum areas, everyone has been working hard on their Personalised Learning Goals, developing their communication, personal and social skills every week. It’s been lovely to take a look at the enormous progress the students have made in so many ways, and we can’t wait to work on some different goals next semester!
From A Hub
Term 2 has been a busy term with lots of special events, such as ANZAC Day, National Simultaneous Story Time and the start of athletics coaching. A Hub thoroughly enjoy opportunities to do things together. We have increased our whole hub learning to now include cooking sessions on a Friday. This has been very popular and whilst not everyone wants to eat what they make, they all participate in the cooking.
Mindfulness activities on a Monday afternoon provide an opportunity for the students to engage in shared tasks that work towards improving friendships and communication. We also have some students visiting other classes within the hub for their reward time. This is an opportunity to further strengthen interclass friendships. We wish everyone a safe and relaxing mid-year break and look forward to Term 3.
From B/C Hub
We have officially made it halfway! As we near the end of another remarkable term, we would like to acknowledge the tremendous resilience of the students in our hub as we have undergone some changes to staff in the past few months. We welcome Kirsty and Andrea to the BC Crew!
This term, many of our students attended an interschool soccer carnival. It was amazing to see the students shine, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship and try their best in a new environment. A great day was had by all and the students have loved telling us about all the goals they saved! Some classes within the hub have also participated in a sporting schools’ program, completing athletics. The students loved this program and were excited to attend throughout the term. We are all looking forward to sports week next term.
The BC Hub students also had the opportunity to participate in National Simultaneous Storytelling Day – reading the text, ‘The Speedy Sloth.’ The students loved combining classes to listen to the story being read from the zoo. We also had the opportunity to watch a directed drawing of a sloth and completed a sloth craft.
Science has been a favourite subject this semester, with students loving using ICT to contribute to experiment. A particular favourite was the coke and mentos and bicarb soda and vinegar cause and effect based experiments. We look forward to continuing this great work next semester.
Wishing you all a safe and restful holiday break,
The BC Crew.
From H/I Hub
In our English and HASS based activities, we have been exploring different texts about special events in our daily lives and the world around us. Celebrating our classmates’ birthdays and Mothers’ Day have given us the opportunity to communicate our feelings about the people close to us. Students have been very chatty when it comes to celebrating birthdays. Any mention of it being someone’s birthday has inspired student led conversations about invitations, parties, presents and sleepovers. We are then very busy using our AACs, alternate pencils and pens with paper to make cards and presents for our friends. Authentic learning experiences stemming from student interests and joy mean our learners have been highly motivated and engaged.
The outdoor area in our hub is a favourite learning place for so many of our students. Play and inquiry-based learning occurs in this space throughout the day. Research shows children learn through play but more importantly learn how to learn through play. Maths and Science activities such as building with many different types of blocks and designing our own experiments have seen students form different classes joining together to learn.
Our students love to have lots of fun together in the playground. While they are having fun, they are working on their communication, social and emotional development, and other Personalised Learning goals. They jump on the trampoline, ride bikes, chase bubbles, balls and each other, read books, play games and chat. Everyone in HI hub especially love to share music, play instruments and dance! We start our week with 'Sing Sing', an opportunity for us to express ourselves through music and movement. The joy and concentration on their faces is contagious.
From J Hub
Students in J block have had a wonderful term! They have continued to work hard to achieve their learning goals and further develop friendships and make connections through the inter programming model.
In Week 5, we celebrated National Volunteer week to acknowledge the work and commitment of all the students on the volunteering pathway. Some of these students are enrolled in Certificate I in Active Volunteering, which requires external volunteer placements. At eWaste at Kenmore where they further developed their work readiness skills. Students followed workplace protocols by signing in and out of the venue, wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment, safety glasses, apron, and gloves, and working safely. Students worked with great focus to carefully dismantle and sort appliances and their components for recycling.
We are very pleased that a Year 12 student has been welcomed by `Vinnies’ in Kenmore to volunteer. Each week her duties include, categorising clothes, pricing items for sale and checking, and tidying up displays on the shop floor.
Students in Year 12 are starting to access their post-school placements, these include the ORCA project, a work preparation program based in Indooroopilly, Sailability in Graceville, and Quick Response, a lifestyle program located in Darra and Oxley.
To assist families to explore future options you may like to attend the upcoming, Fresh Futures Expos in Brisbane, Wednesday 2nd August 2023 and Ipswich Wednesday 6th September 2023. The Expo showcases a wide variety of post-school programs and services available to young people with a disability.
As part of their Queensland Individual Certificate of Achievement (QCIA), some students also had opportunities to visit a variety of locations during community-based instruction. These venues included the local shopping centres, Mount Ommaney library, All Abilities Dance in Kenmore, and Rocks Riverside Park and Community Garden.
Students in Junior Secondary have continued to work on their academic and personal learning goals. They have had a fabulous time exploring all elements of their curriculum.
At Rocks Riverside Park students practiced their social skills in the community each week. By attending the park, they engaged in social interactions with others, allowing them to develop and refine their communication, cooperation, and relationship-building abilities. Community based instruction programs provide students with the opportunity to practice important skills such as turn-taking, sharing, and problem-solving in a real-world context. These experiences in a real-world setting provide valuable opportunities for students to enhance their social skills and become more confident in social situations. The community park serves as a platform for them to apply what they have learned and build connections with their peers, fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging.
Students in J Hub have been busy participating in a mobility and sensory sessions during the week. These sessions focus on enhancing their motor skills, coordination, and sensory integration. Through targeted activities and exercises, students can improve their balance, strength, and overall physical abilities, which can positively impact their daily lives. The sensory sessions provide a therapeutic environment where students can explore and regulate their sensory experiences, helping them develop self-awareness, self-regulation, and coping strategies. These sessions also promote social interaction, as students can engage with their peers in a supportive and inclusive setting. Overall, participating in mobility and sensory sessions empowers students with disabilities, enabling them to build essential skills, increase their independence, and enhance their overall well-being and work toward personal and QCIA goals.
This term was a busy one for the recycling program. We have been hard at work sorting out bottle lids with a big shout out to Damon, who has demonstrated great independence in sorting several boxes and keeping staff to the routine. We are in discussions to take the students to see what happens to the lids once they have been sorted. Stay tuned. A big thank you to Juliet for all her support this term.
This term we have commenced a travel training program to visit the BCC library at Kenmore. Students have been learning how to travel safely on school buses as well as information about some of the local points of interests thanks to Erica and Tarquin. We have been learning about quiet library voices and how to find books and other reading materials. Next term we plan on introducing borrowing books to the program. A big thank you to the staff of Kenmore BCC library for their warm welcome and for all the interesting interactive displays for the students to explore.
This term some students have continued to participate in the dance program at All Abilities Australia based in Kenmore. Students have enjoyed learning new dance routines, meeting new people, and having the opportunity to showcase solo performances. Great dancing everyone! Next semester some students will have the opportunity to participate in wheelchair dancing at All Abilities Australia. Watch this space – more details to follow.
Our school plot at Rocks Riverside Community Garden is developing nicely due to all the hard work and efforts of the community garden team. We’ve been busy adding mulch, planting seeds, and watering the plot. Students have enjoyed exploring the garden with their senses as well as using gardening hand tools. Great efforts from everyone!
From the P&C
Hello from the P&C Association:
It's been a slow start to the term as we settled into our new P&C executive roles and welcomed new committee members. This term we successfully hosted our first MOSS working bee with 18 volunteers (including siblings) chipping in to help out. Benches were painted, weeds were pulled, grass was whipper snipped and fence palings were secured and all finished off with a shared morning tea. It was a lovely morning and a great opportunity to get to know other families, create a sense of community and help rejuvenate our school.
Our next P&C Meeting is Tuesday 25 July at 5:30pm in the Admin Building. If you are keen to learn more about what's happening at the school and help us to build a sense of community we'd love to welcome you.
