Mudgeeraba Special School Families it is hard to believe we are at the end of Term One already. We have had a productive start to the year and we thank you for your investment in your young people through your daily support, attendance at Individual Curriculum Plan, PATH and Personal Future Action Plan Meetings and supporting school and class events. 

It has been wonderful to see so many families supporting class presentations to prepare for Autumn Vacation with Easter celebrations in the last two weeks. 

We were heartened to see the strength of our parent voice with a fully elected P&C Executive for 2023. Our elected members are dedication to the strategic and operational directions of Mudgeeraba Special School.

President: Miranda Marks
Vice President: Paula D’Alton
Treasurer: Debbie Cox
Secretary: Karen Lee

I would like to personally thank the outgoing members for their Invested work for our school in 2022. We send a heartfelt thanks to  Anne Conroy, Deb Hopkins and Karen Lee as outgoing Executive Members. Anne Conroy as our My Time Coordinator is going to take leave for Term 2 and you will see in the newsletter an Expression of Interest to consider the position. Anne has been an amazing leader of this program and brought vitality to ensuring parents have a regular fortnightly opportinty to connect and grow together. 

We also have been advised today that A Block will be painted as part of a regional project rather than our schoolbased pogram which is very exciting. With inclement weather expected next week the project will commence week beginning 11 April as preparation work. There will be temporary fencing organised around A Block to ensure safety for all as the painting commences in Term 2 Week 1. We will keep you updated via Seesaw or Global Texting information if more detailed information needs to be communicated. 

To our students, families and staff enjoy a well earned vacation and we look forward to resuming for Term 2 on Monday 17 April.

Yours in Education

Colleen Hope

Principal

Harmony Week 2023 was held in week 9 of Term 1. Staff and students wore orange to recognise our diversity and to bring together Australians no matter their backgrounds. Students learned about the importance of the celebration and explored music, books, languages, food and art from a range of cultures. 

Mudgeeraba State Special School shares a longstanding partnership with Somerset College. Through this partnership, Somerset offers authors and illustrators from their Annual Somerset Storyfest event to attend our school to present to our students. This year we were joined by Mark Carthew, presenting to our Junior Secondary cohort and Anisa Nandaula, presenting to our Senior School students. Dr Mark Carthew is an award-winning Australian children’s author, poet, musician and educator well known for his books and series celebrating humour, music and wordplay. Anisa is a nationally recognised spoken word poet, play writer, educator and published author. Both authors were very entertaining ensuring student involvement was high throughout their presentations.

On Friday 24th March, our whole school participated in Messy Play Day. Messy Play Day provided an opportunity to play, explore and learn with their peers. It was a very successful event with students already looking forward to our next Messy Play Day in the 2024 school year. 

Junior and Lower Middle students were very excited for the Easter Bunny to visit them during their recent Easter Hat Parades. Students had been busily making their hats and rehearsing for the performance that included songs, dance moves and a shared reading experience. Thank you to all of the parents, grandparents and carers who attended the performances.

Our skill development program provides opportunities for our students to develop vocational skills in their areas of interest. Here are some photos of our students doing hospitality work at the Woodchoppers Inn and helping to clean the gym at Somerset College. We are very grateful to our business partners for providing relevant, real-world opportunities for our students to develop and showcase their skills.

Community groups and organisations that offer support services for individuals with special needs are invited to connect with the school community at our Positive Pathways Expo on Tuesday 30th May.

• President: Miranda Marks
• Vice President: Paula D’Alton
• Treasurer: Debbie Cox
• Secretary: Karen Lee

• School Council Parent Representative – Miranda Marks
• Projects Planning Co-ordinator – Maurie Rowe
• Grants Co-ordinator – Vacant
• General Fundraising Co-ordinator – Toni Sarten
• Uniform Co-ordinator – Paula D’Alton

Hi Mudgeeraba Special School Community.

As most of you would know, the AGM for the P&C was held last Wednesday the 22^nd March. The outcome of this meeting was extremely pleasing and we’re proud to announce that we have a full executive team this year.

Last year, the P&C ran without a President which wasn’t ideal but very doable with the support of other executive members of the P&C committee and school community.

We look forward to a very productive year for Mudgeeraba Special School.

For those of you who might be struggling to find activities for your young person during the Easter Break, I have some suggestions for you.

Country Paradise at Nerang is holding an Easter festival on April 2^nd from 3pm-6pm

https://events.humanitix.com/easter-festival

 Sanctuary Cove is hosting an Easter family day on the 6^th April from 11am. https://sanctuarycove.com/2023/03/02/easter-at-sanctuary-cove/

 The Paradise Centre at Surfers offers a number of opportunities to celebrate

https://kidsonthecoast.com.au/event/sweet-as-easter-at-paradise-centre/

 Each school holidays, the Gold Coast City Council offers various activities that may be suitable for your child.

www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/pdfs/brochures-amp-factsheets/active-healthy-autumn-holiday-program.pdf 

With Term 1 coming to an end, we’d like to wish you all a very happy and safe Easter.

Enjoy your break and we’ll see you all in Term 2.

Take care everyone.

Paula.

IMPORTANT : The NDIS Review – Have your say

The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, has appointed a panel to independently review the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS Review will look at the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS. It will also look at ways to make the market and workforce more responsive, supportive and sustainable.

An overarching goal of the Review is to put people with disability back at the centre of the NDIS. It aims to help restore trust, confidence and pride in the NDIS. Trust is vital for participants, their families, carers, nominees and the broader community.

The Review involves two parts:

• Part 1 examines the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS.
• Part 2 examines ways to build a more responsive, supportive and sustainable market and workforce.

The Terms of Reference guide the NDIS Review and can be seen on www.ndisreview.gov.au/about/terms-of-reference.

The Review Panel will engage with all stakeholders. This will ensure the Review is guided by participant and community feedback.

The Review will build on what you and others have already said to the government in previous reviews and you are invited to engage with the Panel.

Learn more about having your say on the NDIS on www.ndisreview.gov.au/haveyoursay.

Alternatively, you can write to the following address:-

              NDIS Review Secretariat

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

PO Box 6500

CANBERRA   ACT 2600

The final report provided by the Review Panel will be presented to the States Governments Disability Reform Ministers by October 2023.

This is a wonderful opportunity for NDIS participants to provide input seeking the Federal Government to correct the inadequacies and inequities of the NDIS and ensure that the funds are allocated fairly to the most needy people with disabilities.

I encourage NDIS participants to express your views to the Review Panel as soon as possible and desirably by the 30 April 2023 so that they can be considered. 

Additional Information:

NDIS Provider Lists

Regards

Maurie Rowe

Behalf of MSS P&C Association

Event is  here ? https://fb.me/e/4oKFzDEDL 

Tickets from here ? https://flamingobingomay.floktu.com/

Exciting news! We have signed up for the 'Wonder Recycling Rewards' program. The aim is to collect bread bags, add them to the collection boxes (which will be located around the school). At the end of the campaign, points will be earned for each recycled bread bag and will be exchanged for sports equipment!