Page 1 of 12

24th October 2018

Principal: Sheldon Hooper Email: the.principal@redcliffspecs.eq.edu.au

Deputy Principals: Kirsten Maclean and Jayson Gilbert Website: www.redcliffspecs.eq.edu.au

Telephone: 3897 5111 Address: Klingner Road REDCLIFFE QLD 4020

Newsletter No. 9 Week 3 Term 4 2018

Social Media

This newsletter serves to explain a little about the School’s attitude to the explosion of social media that

is occurring in our society, which can often affect the school community. To be clear, we do not want you

to feel that we are anti-social media. We recognise that social media often presents opportunities for

friendship and self-expression, and we know that, most of the time, our pupils are safely and responsibly

engaged in the social media environment. You will know that Redcliffe Special School itself uses social

media for communication, through Facebook - something that we hope will grow further in the years to

come.

However, we, along with many schools, have a number of growing concerns that often occur at home but

spill over into the school environment. These concerns include a range of social media - such as

Instagram, Kick, Facebook, texting and phone calls. Issues include:

Posting photographs encouraging inappropriate behaviour and sending these to other students.

Risky behaviour, whereby the student is exposed to predatory influences or posts including sexually

suggestive material

Cyber-bullying – involving the sending or posting of harmful material online.

Taking photographs/videos at school/ on the school bus and posting them online.

Taking photos of other students and posting them online without consent.

Accepting Friend Requests from strangers and interacting with people they do not know.

There are no easy solutions to these difficulties – difficulties with which all schools are presently

wrestling. The best approach is, we feel, a simple one - students require on-going supervision and

education in online safety by all who are responsible for their welfare.

Page 2 of 12

Parents / Caregivers can use a number of strategies to ensure safety online. Monitoring and reviewing

your child’s contacts, followers and content helps to manage their safety and reduce risks. If you have

concerns for your child’s safety, you may report any incidents to the Queensland Police Service.

For further information on Cybersafety and Cyberbullying, please, visit

http://behaviour.education.qld.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/cybersafety/cyberbullying-

cybersafetyprintfriendlyguide.pdf

End of Year Gathering / Celebration of Learning

As the school has grown, it has made the logistics of an offsite concert difficult to manage (practices/

costs/ qualified personnel to manage equipment, etc). After much deliberation and consideration

amongst staff, 2018 will see a change in format for the end of year concert.

As in previous years, classes/ phases will perform an item, e.g., song, dance, mini play, other item.

Families will also have the opportunity to spend time in their child’s room looking at some of the work

they completed during 2018. This may look like class photos/ slideshow display, classroom work display,

artwork displays, computer activities/display, sensory activities or other learning programs.

Following on from this rotation, the whole school will gather for the more formal presentations - Civic

Award, Petrie Shield, School Captain announcement, Whole school songs and Glee performance.

I would like to thank the staff for the enthusiasm they have shown in developing an alternative event,

which takes into account the positive nature of the previous concert and brings it together with learning

that has occurred during the year in each class or phase.

DRAFT Program

Time Group Place

11:00 (2 Groups)

Senior/Upper Mid Phase Classrooms

Junior/Lower Mid Phase Hall - performance

11:45 15 min change-over

12:00 (2 Groups)

Senior/Upper Mid Phase Hall - performance

Junior/Lower Mid Phase Classrooms

12:45 15 min change-over

1:00 Whole School Oval - Glee, Civic Award, Petrie Shield, School Captain announcement, Whole

school Songs, sausage sizzle

Page 3 of 12

Class Formation for 2019

Assigning Teachers and Teacher Aides

Myth busting - There is no 2 or 3 year rule.

We want to ensure that over time students are exposed to a range of different people so that they

learn to form and reform relationships. This is an important developmental skill for life after school.

We also strive to ensure parents have the opportunity to build trust in a wide range of staff.

Often, it is the Principal making decisions based on a full range of information that cannot be shared.

How can parents and families help?

Prepare for change.

I know that change can cause disruption and anxiety, but there are also many benefits.

New teachers, new staff and new classmates each year is an important part of the school journey as

our young people build resilience, learning to work with a wide variety of people (as they will in other

areas of their life), build their network of familiar adults and learn to make new friends.

Special schools are often smaller and, at times, you may end up with some familiar classmates,

teachers, teacher aides and staff. That is nice too, but cannot be guaranteed for any length of time.

2019 Enrolment

To help the school to prepare for the 2019 school year it would be appreciated if families intending to

move away from the school catchment area please let us know ASAP.

The purpose of this is twofold:

a) To allow Redcliffe Special School to adequately staff the school to cater for the needs of returning

students, and

b) To allow Redcliffe Special School to support you with your new enrolment at another school.

Belonging at school makes a difference

Tommy’s Aunt Sue had just arrived for a visit. “Hi, Tommy. You’re a big school boy now! How is school?”

“Good,” Tommy said. “What do you like about it?” asked Aunt Sue. “Friends – Allan and Georgio.” “Great!

You’ve made some friends already.” “I like my teacher, too.” Aunt Sue also talked to Tommy’s friend,

Page 4 of 12

Lulu, who had come over to play. “What about you, Lulu? How do you like school?” “It’s good. If I need

the teacher, then I have to put up my hand. But if I need help at playtime, I can ask Jackie,” said Lulu. “Is

Jackie your friend?” “Jackie’s my buddy. She’s a big girl.” “What does a buddy do?” “She helps me if I

don’t know where to go or other stuff. She helps to look after me ‘cos she’s big and I’m new.”

Belonging improves mental health, wellbeing and learning

All children need to feel that school is a safe place where people will care about them, where their needs

for support, respect and friendship will be met, and where they will be able to get help to work out

problems. When these needs are met children develop a sense of belonging at school. Belonging is very

important for children’s mental health and wellbeing. Children who feel that they belong at school are

happier, more relaxed and have fewer behavioural problems than other students. They are also more

motivated to learn and be more successful with their school work. Research into children’s mental health

has found that a sense of belonging and connectedness at school helps to protect children against

mental health difficulties and improves their learning.

Making friends and having positive relationships with teachers helps children develop a sense of

belonging at school. Having older ‘buddies’ to turn to helps younger children feel that school is a place

where they can get help if they need it. Looking after younger children encourages caring and helping in

older children and helps to reduce conflicts and bullying. These are some of the ways that children’s

sense of belonging at school can be supported.

What parents and carers can do

Parents and carers can work with school staff to help create a bridge between home and school. When

the adults responsible for children take a positive interest in what happens at school it helps children feel

at home. It also makes it easier to pick up any problems early when they are easiest to resolve.

Find out about the school and what your child is learning; participate in information sessions.

Make time to listen to your child tell you about what he or she is doing at school.

Let your child’s teacher know if he/she is having difficulties and discuss what kinds of things you can

do at home and school to help.

KidsMatter offers a range of evidence-based information sheets for families that have been developed by mental health professionals experienced in child development.

Free and readily accessible, the information sheets cover a vast range of topics relating to children’s social and emotional development. Professionals may find resources helpful in their everyday practise, and may also like to refer them to organisations and practitioners working with children and their families. You may copy these materials freely provided acknowledgment is made to the sources.

Page 5 of 12

Page 6 of 12

Page 7 of 12

This semester, J3 has loved playing Boccia with other Junior classes! We all

loved lining up the balls with the ramp to bump the toys. It was also great fun

aiming to throw the ball in the bucket.

Page 8 of 12

Oral Health Services: School Fluoride Varnish Program

The Fluoride Varnish Program will be offered in Term 4 on

Tuesday, 06th November.

If your child participated in Term 2, they do not need a new

consent form. Otherwise, spare forms will be available from the

school office and should be returned no later than Friday,

9th November.

All participating students will receive a toothbrush, toothpaste and tooth brushing lesson. All

students will receive a note home indicating if any concerns were noted or if there is no need for

further treatment at this stage.

The School Dental Service is always a FREE service. If it is indicated on the note that treatment is required, please, contact the number indicated to make an appointment.

Page 9 of 12

J5 students have been busy cooking every week. This term they are learning

how to measure ingredients for muffins, mix them together and spoon into

patty pans.

Page 10 of 12

In M2, we do lots of fun YuMi activities when we have our Maths lessons…

Page 11 of 12

A young lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport. As she would need to wait

many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a packet of cookies.

She sat down in an armchair in the VIP room of the airport to rest and read in peace. Beside the armchair

where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started

reading.

When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated, but said nothing. She just

thought, “What a nerve! If I was in the mood, I would punch him for daring!”

For each cookie she took, the man took one, too. This was infuriating her, but she didn’t want to cause a

scene.

When only one cookie remained, she thought, “Ah... What this abusive man do now? Then the man,

taking the last cookie, divided it into half, giving her one half”.

Ah! That was too much! She was much too angry now! In a huff, she took her book, her things and

stormed to the boarding place.

When she sat down in her seat inside the place, she looked into her purse to take her eyeglasses, and,

to her surprise, her packet of cookies was there, untouched, unopened! She felt so ashamed! She

realised that she was wrong... She had forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse.

The man divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter.... while she had been very angry

thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself.. not

apologize.

There are four things that you cannot recover.

The stone after the throw! The word after it’s said! The occasion after the loss! The time after it’s gone!

http://funnyfunnyjokes.org/2010/04/10/cookies-moral-story-must-read/

Page 12 of 12

Free Supported Surfing! Disabled Surfers Association, Sunshine Coast–Summer Event Dates

The Disabled Surfers Sunshine Coast Branch is holding its opening event for the year at 8.30am on Sat 27th Oct at Currimundi (in front of Currimundi Special School). These are a wonderful bunch of volunteers that run a highly organised day. They have a very strong focus on safety, dignity and inclusion to help people of all ages experience the joy of being in the ocean and riding a wave. Their informal motto is “Putting smiles on dials”, and they are very good at it! Helpers/ volunteers are very welcome. No experience or surfing ability necessary. The DSA would really encourage any family who can make it, to head up and have a wonderful day out. Whilst they normally finish with a free BBQ around lunchtime, surfers can come and go as they like. Beach wheelchairs, shade shelters and chairs are provided. There are some great videos of their days on their Facebook site. Any questions, please contact DSA directly (website or Facebook).

www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Coast-Disabled-Surfers-Assoc

If you can’t make the first event, the event dates for the season are:

1. Currimundi (In front of Currimundi Special School) Oct 27, 2018

2. Maroochydore (next to the SLSC) 24 Nov, 2018

3. Maroochydore (next to the SLSC) 23 Feb, 2019

Hope to see you there!