Mount Ommaney Special School eNewsletter

A Message from Mike Curtis - Principal

Dear Families, As I reflect on the term that has passed, while we have all navigated daily challenges, I am immensely proud of the achievements of all students and staff. We have had numerous changes to contend with due to the growth of our school across curriculum, leadership, student access and participation and infrastructure.

Curriculum

We have embarked on the new version of the Australian Curriculum, that has added a different level of learning and capacity building for staff. Staff have been successfully able to transition to it this term with the support of our Head of Department-Curriculum, Caron and by drawing on the Hub model to share planning and teaching responsibilities. I have seen a number of very innovative opportunities for students to learn within the Hub where use of different spaces, student grouping arrangements and resources have been used, resulting in very happy and engaged young people.

Student Access and Participation

First term is always an opportunity for staff to get to know their learners and how they learn best. This is also an opportunity to set Personalised Learning Goals aligned to the Access and Participation domains of Communication, Access to Learning Activities, Social Participation and Health, Personal Safety and Care. Most families have had their ICP and Personalised Learning Plan meetings with the classroom teacher and have had the opportunity to co-devise goals for the Semester. You will have received a copy of these by email and you will receive progress notes on these with the report cards at the end of next term. Please feel free to check in with your child’s teacher for ongoing progress if you have any concerns or queries.

Leadership

We have changed our leadership structure this year at MOSS. We have now included Hub leaders into the fold, where they support all other staff within the Hubs and link closely to the Executive Team. They, together with the executive team have all taken on different projects aligned to the school’s improvement agenda. There is exciting work happening in the areas of play-based and schema- centred learning, SoundsWrite phonics approaches, communication and comprehensive literacy.

Infrastructure

Firstly, I am extremely excited to report that the extensive refurbishment of the pool and pump room has been completed and ready for use in Term 2. Our HPE staff have been updating their training qualifications and we will be able to start the program early in the term. Our ‘K Block’ rented demountable building is in use with 4 classrooms of our Middle Years students. While this is a temporary measure to cope with our sudden growth in enrolments, our more permanent solution is underway. Our Master Plan for our new build in is in the concept design phase before being submitted for Minister approval.

A gradual and phased rollout will include the following:
- School Hall and Outside School-Hours Care facility with undercover parking
- 10 classrooms, therapy room, outdoor learning spaces
- Reconfigured bus set-down area
- Separate parent pick-up and drop off zone
- New playground and ‘green space’
- New ECDP carpark off Endeavour Road
- Refurbished Administration and Therapy/ Office building

I will keep the community informed of the timelines as approvals are given and these become clearer. In the meantime, our school continues to grow in enrolments and another temporary solution for more space may be sought prior to the new building being completed.

I hope the upcoming holiday period is enjoyable for you all and I look forward to connecting with you in Term 2.
Regards, Mike

A Message from Chrissy Hamilton - Deputy Principal

This year we have renewed the MOSS Mindset 6ms. The MOSS 6Ms underpin our shared understanding and language about pedagogy. They frame professional conversations and guide robust discussions, in regard to teaching and learning practices. When planning and reviewing practices, this MOSS mindset ensures that students are at the centre of all our decision making and programs taught have validity, integrity and are evidence-based.

Have a lovely Easter break, from Chrissy

A Message from Katie Bartholomaeus - Acting Deputy Principal

With the growing numbers at MOSS this year it has meant that we have welcomed new teachers and new teacher aides. It is always great to have teachers and staff from a broad range of experiences on our team. All of our new teachers have been completing an Induction Program. These sessions have been led from our experienced MOSS staff and many current staff joined the sessions to further develop their own knowledge.

• Mandatory Department Training
• ICP’s, Presented by Caron
• PLG’s, Presented by Chrissy
• AAC, presented by Emma (SLP)
• OT Services, Presented Georgia and Casey (OT)
• PBL 8 Essential Features, Presented by Andrea
• CARA (Risk Assessments) and ROCC (Communication Profiles), Presented by Caron

All staff have been working on their Annual Performance Development Plan. This is a way that Teachers and Teacher Aides set goals for their own personal growth and development. This helps guide the leadership team to make informed decisions around the Professional Development that is needed or wanted by staff.

In term 2 we are introducing more Professional Learning opportunities for all staff. These sessions will be once a week after school. The topics will include:

• Understanding Sensory Processing – Georgia and Casey (OT)
• Movement for Learning – Anastasiia and Celia (PT)
• Vision Impairment and the impacts on Learning – Jessie Middleton (AVT Vision Impairment)
• Using a PODD – embedding into Practise – Emma (SLP)
• Intensive Interaction – Louise Rusic
• Functional Analysis of Behaviour– Andrea (PBL)
• Make and Take Visual Supports session – Emma (SLP)

At MOSS we also access the Advisory Visiting Teachers to help build the capacity of teachers and staff working with students with Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairments and Physical Impairments. They are a wonderful resource and we value the opportunity to collaborate with them to meet the diverse student needs.

A Message from Sandra Schuptar - HOSES - ECDP

So far we have welcomed 80 families at the ECDP this year and we welcomed 5 new staff members onto the ECPD teaching team.

Our new staff include: Katrina Wilson - an experienced special education/early intervention teacher. Lina Howandi and Priscilla Peacock were our casual teacher aides from last year and we were able to secure them as our ECDP teacher aides for 2024. We also have the pleasure of having Akeneta Kafoa-Kramer join us this year.

Melissa Farrell, Caron Watt, Katherine Anderson and Anna Hall continued on as our faithful teachers from last year and Julie Crighton and Linda Hoffman also continued as our long term teacher aides. What an awesome team of professionals we have.

This term we have held a number of parent morning /afternoon teas as a way of sharing information with our school community.

During week 5 Casey and Georgia (our Occupational Therapists) held a morning tea on ‘How can I support my child to develop their self-care skills in preparation for school?” This was very well received and we have had requests to run it again. So Casey and Georgia will be running this session again in term 2 – in week 2.

During week 8 of this term all our families were invited to meet with their child’s teacher to hear about what their child is doing in the classroom. We also introduced information about the full time school options for children enter Prep in 2025. It is important that we begin the future school options conversation sooner rather than later. There are big decisions to be made and we do not want to rush our families into make these decisions without lots of consultation.

Kim Fischer (our social worker) held a morning tea in Week 9 and invited a Centrelink employee to discuss and share information about what possible financial and community supports might be available for our families.

Lindsey Wilkinson (our Administration support) has spent the last few weeks updating our numerous Information Brochures:

Specialist Contact Details
Financial Assistance and Support Schemes for Families
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

There have been lots of changes with the Government Financial payments and assistance and the National Disability Insurance Scheme and it is vital to have the most relevant up-to-date information available for our families.

Whilst the ECDP team are enjoying getting to know our families through our morning /afternoon teas and informal conversations at the end of our sessions we have all delighted in the progress and excitement of the children who are engaging in the ECDP programs. All our children are now happy to saying farewell to parents at drop off times and some are now protesting about having to leave. The teachers have all made visits to their local kindergarten programs and the IEP’s are mostly completed. Well done ECDP team.

Happy holidays
Sandra (Head of Special Education Services )

A Successful Leap Forward: Reflecting on Term 1 at MOSS

As we bid farewell to another enriching term at MOSS, we are thrilled to reflect on the successful implementation of Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum across all year levels from Prep to Year 10. This term has been marked by incredible achievements and meaningful experiences that have truly enriched the educational journey of our students.

One of the highlights of this term has been the tailored approach to learning through Individual Curriculum Plans (ICPs) and Personalised Learning Goals (PLGs). Dedicated teachers have worked closely with each student, setting targets aligned with the new version 9 Australian Curriculum achievement standards. This personalised approach ensures that every student receives the support they need to thrive academically and personally.

A standout event this term was the curriculum excursion to the Ipswich Art Gallery, where students engaged in the fascinating world of Pattern Play. This experience seamlessly tied into our Maths unit on patterns, providing a real-world context for learning that sparked curiosity and creativity among our students.

Furthermore, our commitment to inclusivity and awareness was evident during Harmony Day and Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness. Many curriculum-related activities were seamlessly integrated into these events, fostering a culture of understanding and respect among our school community.

We also embraced sensory activities throughout the curriculum, enhancing learning experiences and injecting an element of fun into the classroom. These activities not only catered to diverse learning styles but also fostered a deeper engagement with the curriculum content.

Introduction of our ‘AAC Gotchas’ Initiative

This term marked the introduction of our ‘AAC Gotchas’ initiative, underscoring our steadfast commitment to ensuring every student has a voice and a mode of communication. The significance of AAC devices cannot be overstated, as they empower individuals with communication challenges to participate more fully in social interactions, educational settings, and everyday activities. By facilitating communication, AAC devices foster independence, confidence, and a sense of agency, allowing users to engage more meaningfully with the world around them.

The importance of wearing AAC devices, such as the PODD system, extends beyond mere functionality. These devices promote inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that individuals with communication difficulties are not marginalised or overlooked. By embracing AAC devices, society affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their ability to communicate verbally.

In educational settings, AAC devices play a crucial role in supporting learning and academic achievement. By providing students with access to AAC devices, educators create opportunities for meaningful participation and active engagement in the learning process. Furthermore, AAC devices can enhance literacy development, language comprehension, and social communication skills, laying the foundation for future success.

AAC Devices - Gotcha Moments

Looking ahead to the next term, our focus will shift towards assessment, with students working diligently towards achieving the best possible outcomes. Our dedicated teachers will continue to support and guide students through this process, ensuring that each individual reaches their full potential.

In our ongoing pursuit of excellence, teachers will also have the opportunity to further develop their skills through the updated Jane Farrall Comprehensive Literacy Course. This professional development initiative will empower our educators to enhance their practice in the special school space, ultimately benefiting our students.

As we reflect on the achievements of this term, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible efforts of our students, teachers, and wider school community. It has been a truly successful term, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunities and challenges that await us in Term 2.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the education of our students. Together, we will continue to inspire and empower every student to reach their full potential.

A Message from Juliet Young - Education Program Officer (EPO)

Anzac Commemoration Tuesday 23rd April

MOSS is fortunate once again to welcome 9th Forward Support Battalion soldiers to the school along with 26 Transport Squadron mascots, camels Penny and Vernon to help commemorate our Anzacs. There will be lots of activities on the day as well as the opportunity to explore a military vehicle, try on uniform and complete a military style obstacle course. Our seniors will also provide Anzac biscuits and light refreshments. All parents and carers will be invited to share this day with our students and staff.

CSHS Students

As part of their STEP (Student Enrichment Program) CSHS students will start attending MOSS at the start of next term. CSHS supports our school in many ways throughout the year and MOSS is very happy to be able to reciprocate by providing opportunities for CSHS students. We also acknowledge and appreciate all teachers who are willing and able to accept CSHS students into their classrooms on Wednesday afternoons. Typical activities during this time may include reading to students and helping with end of day routines.

Volunteers/Student Placements

MOSS appreciates the time and effort currently provided to us by two volunteers. We are expecting a third volunteer to return to us next term and are also making plans for a student to complete their 100 hours as part of their Cert 3 & 4 in Educational Support.

MOSS Marathon

Planning will start in term 2 for the first MOSS Marathon. All students, staff and members of our community will be encouraged to take part so that together we can achieve the marathon distance of 42km by walking, running, riding or wheeling. The marathon will go for as long as it takes to complete the distance (could be over terms 2 and 3) and a distance tally will be kept. This will be a great way to involve all of our school and community in an event and to show what can be possible when we all work together towards a common goal whilst also encouraging movement and activity.

Junior Rotary Community Award

Term 2 will see the above program offered to our year 6 students. MOSS has successfully run this program for a number of years and we look forward to continuing our relationship with our local Rotary group and supporting our students in their efforts to achieve this award. The JRCA involves student participation in community service, physical recreation, social experiences, developing new skills and supporting our environment. This is a great way to encourage our students to engage in new activities, develop new skills and to challenge themselves.

Drama Classes

From G Hub

We have had a wonderful start to the year in G Hub. It has been lovely to see the children become more confident in their new environment and begin to enjoy making connections with their teachers and peers.

Our focus this term has been developing friendships and becoming familiar with the daily routine of school. We have been working on communicating our needs with various supports through play and shared community activities.

Through play the children are learning and practising new social skills and developing their fine and gross motor skills. As they investigate new materials, interact with peers and engage in play they are building communication skills, developing language and problem-solving skills. We have really enjoyed Community Play on the deck each Thursday with children from all classes coming together to participate in lots of different sensory rich activities. We embrace the messy play and celebrate in the children’s delight and enthusiasm for new experiences and learning opportunities.

Another highlight of our term has been our weekly Open Theatre sessions. Together with our drama teachers we have participated in non-verbal activities to music. By modelling and imitating their teachers, the children have developed their communication skills and their own agency in making choices. It has been a joy to watch their confidence and willingness to participate grow as they become more comfortable in this environment.

Thank you parents for working with us to make the children’s transition into G Block a happy and productive one.

G1 Gallery

G3 Gallery

We’ve had a wonderful term in D/E Hub and have lots of beautiful photos to share. We hope you enjoy them.

It has to be said though, that some of the most magical things that have happened in our hub this term, can’t necessarily be caught by a camera: wearing big kid underwear for the first time and using the toilet, trying a new food, using a PODD to let us know that you are feeling angry instead of physically lashing out, taking a friend’s hand as an invitation to play, beginning to use your words, tentatively moving ever-closer to a non-preferred activity, leaving Mummy in the morning and walking bravely to the classroom…the list goes on. We are so proud of our little people!

The staff in D/E Hub would like to thank all of our families for your support this term and will see you all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the beginning of Term 2.

D1 Gallery

D2 Gallery

E1 Gallery

Creating a Successful First Term

As we bid farewell to the first term of the school year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey AB Hub have embarked upon. It's been a term filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences, and we couldn't be prouder of each and every one of our students.

Academic Achievements: Nurturing Curiosity and Knowledge

In the classroom, our students have been busy expanding their minds and honing their skills across a wide range of subjects. From exploring numbers to delving into the wonders of indigenous texts, our students have shown remarkable enthusiasm for learning. We've witnessed breakthrough moments, celebrated achievements big and small, and watched with pride as our students embraced new challenges with confidence and determination.

Building Connections: Fostering Friendships and Community

Beyond the classroom and lesson plans, our AB HUB students have been busy building lasting friendships and forging meaningful connections within our school community. Students can often be seen sharing laughs and playing games during playtime, it's been heart-warming to see the bonds of friendship strengthen and grow with each passing day.

Looking Ahead: Embracing the Journey

Ahead As we look ahead to the next term, we're filled with excitement and anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead. There will be new lessons to learn, new friendships to forge, and new experiences to treasure. Together, as a supportive community of parents, teachers, and students, we will continue to nurture and empower our students as they navigate the joys and challenges of their educational journey.

Thank You for Your Support

Finally, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our parents and guardians, for your unwavering support and encouragement throughout the first term. Your involvement in the ICP, PLG process is truly invaluable and deeply appreciated.

As we prepare to embark on the next leg of our journey together, let's celebrate all that our AB HUB students have accomplished so far and look forward to the bright future that awaits.

A1 Gallery

K Hub have soared into literacy learning this term. Classes have been focusing on a range of Indigenous texts with a bird focus including Magpie Learns a Lesson by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Kookoo Kookaburra by Gregg Dreise. Students have explored their learning through a range of activities with the aim of developing our retell skills, focusing on narrative structure, characters and setting. Activities have included nature walks, exploration through play, acting-out, visual art, and creating props and masks. Teaching staff have been very impressed with student engagement, willingness to try new things and participation in the learning activities.

C/J1 Hub has been exploring locations within the school, to learn about positional language. Some of our learners have been working on following and providing directions, while others have been exploring positioning themselves or objects. Maths learning this term has focused on developing number concepts, with some students moving onto larger numbers past 100 and exploring place value. Subitising, the ability to look at a small set of objects and instantly know how many, is an important mathematical skill we’re continually building. Patterning has also been a focus with students using a variety of materials to create their own patterns. Data collection has provided a lot of fun interaction, with students asking and answering questions to gather information. Students have been learning how to organise data in different ways using objects, pictures or symbols to make simple displays, tables or picto-graphs. Importantly, we have then been working on discussing what the data shows and communicating our mathematical ideas.

Stories with an Indigenous theme have been a focus, to build an understanding of characters and events in stories. This English unit emphasises interaction, including active listening and participation in discussions to share ideas. Students have been creating artworks about story events, and building comprehension skills when retelling stories. A variety of digital tools have been used to create story scenes and communicate ideas. Indigenous stories have strong links to the natural world and relationships, so students have been developing their understanding of place, how to care for country, work together, share, be friends and co-operate with others.

Creating artworks about stories has let students explore a variety of materials and art making techniques too. During these hands on activities, students have engaged in lots of choice making with materials and equipment, while interacting to express ideas, ask and answer questions, and share opinions.

Developing personal and social skills is a priority. Health and PE with Mr Eric has been a big hit with the students, as they’ve explored body awareness through Yoga and a range of movement activities, including obstacle courses and modified ball games. There’s a few sporting stars in the making!

Some students have achieved, and many students are very close to achieving, their PBL certificate for filling up their sticker charts for showing the school expectations of 'Be safe', 'Be your best' and 'Be respectful'. Congratulations on your hard work C/J1 Hub!

What a term have H/I had, we have had a lot to celebrate such as Chinese New Year, Valentines Day, Dr Seuss Day, Harmony Day and the upcoming Epilepsy Awareness Day.

Students have been immersed in texts for enjoyment such as “Our family dragon”, “This is me”, “Special Land” and “Who ever you are”.

During Maths, students have been immersed in numeral recognition and identification. This has been explored during indoor and outdoor activities that each individual student enjoys.

In HPE, they have been enthusiastically engaging in movement activities with Mr Eric.

In HI Hub we have been practicing our social skills in activities by requesting, turn taking and waiting. We are proud of the individual achievements that our students are making during the busy term.

HI Hub – Sam Kuss (H1), Jess Tully (H2), Jo Gardner (I1) Louise Ruzic (I2).

H1 Gallery

H2 Gallery

I1 Gallery

This term J Hub have been building on our Inter-programming model started in 2023. Our young people are accessing real life learning in preparation for transitioning to post-school options. J Hub is about sampling different opportunities and learning what our young people enjoy in both social and leisure programs and work experience. This term some of J Hub programs have been based around groups accessing the community to explore local environments in Bushwalking and Travel Training, swimming at Jindalee pool, exploring music and sensory stories at school, external dance program and supported work experience placements.

Victoria Park

Code Camp

School Holiday Activities

Brisbane Kids - School Holiday Activities

Brisbane City Council - School Holiday Events

Families Magazine - School Holiday Activities

Urban Xtreme - School Holiday Activities

Schoolzine Website

Riverlife - School Holidays

2024 School Calendar

school_calendar.pdf

Day	Date	Event
Fri	13 Sep 24	Last Day of Term 3
Mon	30 Sep 24	First Day of Term 4
Mon	7th Oct 24	Public Holiday
Mon to Wed	28th - 30th Oct	Senior Camp
Thu	7th Nov 24	Senior Formal
Thu	5th Dec 24	Senior Graduation
Fri	13th Dec 24	Last Day of Term 4

PDF Details

Newsletter Sponsors

MOSS Newsletter - Term 1 2024