Dear Mudgeeraba Special School Families, 

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your patience and understanding with signing in and out your child during the hours of 9am and 2:30pm.  As I mentioned in my last newsletter, this simple step helps us ensure the safety and security of all students within our school community.

By now you will have had communication from your child’s teacher regarding ICP and PFAP meetings.  These meetings are a wonderful way to connect with the staff who are supporting your child. Building positive relationships with our parents and carers is something all staff at Mudgeeraba Special School strive for.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

This week at Mudgeeraba Special School

Senior School Information Night

Please join the Senior School staff for an hour on Tuesday night as they offer valuable information to prepare our grade 12 students for life after school. Additionally, staff will share details about the exciting school events planned for all graduating students in 2024.

Mudgeeraba Special School Car Show

The 2024 MSSS Car Show provides each class with the opportunity to create their very own car! The focus is on introducing Choice Theory concepts through the ‘Get Happier Project’ car components, and include: The Steering Wheel, Drivers Seat, Engine, Wheels and Windscreen. Each class was given the task of creating a car. On Wednesday 21st February every car will displayed in the assembly area ‘car park’ along with a special visit from Kustom Cars who will be showcasing eight of their special cars! I have been informed by some pretty excited students and staff that this event cannot be missed! 

Gotcha Celebrations!

The Gotcha Performing a Skill (GPS) certificates will be presented to every student on Friday 23^rd of February at our whoile school assembly. Every student has been working hard to display the school values of Connected, Aware, and Responsible behaviours over the last five weeks and will recive a certiciate highlighting their personal achievement.

Warm regards,

Renee Zhu

Acting Principal

The Teacher Release Team (TRT) is spearheading weekly Science lessons focusing on Biological Science. Each grade level delves into a specific aspect, ranging from Juniors exploring pets and flowering plants to Upper Junior Secondary delving into the fascinating realms of wild animals and tropical plants.

In Week 2 an engaging and hands-on initiative, had students ranging from Junior to Junior Secondary immersed themselves in group learning experiences centered around Indigenous scientists. The sessions not only fostered a deeper understanding of scientific concepts but also celebrated the rich contributions of Indigenous knowledge to the field.

The lively and interactive sessions aim to spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and instil a lifelong love for science. With each class tailored to the respective age group, students are not only having a blast but are also gaining valuable insights into the diverse and captivating world of biology. Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries in the coming weeks!

My son was playing a popular computer game.  As I listened to him chatting to his friends he began getting really upset and yelling unrepeatable words at the television screen as he played.   I tried to be patient as he got crankier and crankier at the game.   However, finally I got upset and asked him to tell me what the problem was and why he was getting so angry at the game.   Firstly, he told me I just wouldn't understand and to leave him alone.    I persisted because I could not sit in my own lounge room without hearing his growing frustration.    Finally, he told me that the game was stupid because every single time he went to a particular place on the map and completed a certain (non-essential) quest, there would be, most times another player there waiting in hiding for him.  Then, while his character was in a weakened condition.   The hidden player, would knock his character out of the game and take the reward that he had received for completing the quest.

 So then trying not to laugh, because I know how seriously he takes the game, I replied, “so what you are telling me is that you are doing the same thing in the same way, time and time again in the game and expecting a different result from what you're getting?” 

 My son then again told me that I did not understand and continued on to tell me about how important the reward was to the outcome of the game.   I replied,  “what is the point of the reward if you are knocked out of the game 80% of the time?”  He failed to see the logic in my suggestion and just kept playing the same way and got the same result time and again. 

 He eventually tried a different strategy and didn’t attempt that quest and surprisingly ended up winning the game.   I made the comment to him, “isn't it amazing when you try something different you can get a different result”.

 Though I laughed when I was talking to my son about his changing strategy a serious thought hit me.  How often, like my son, do we, try to do things over and over in the same way and wonder why we get the same result.  Perhaps we all need to look at those things we want to see changed in our lives.  Then examine what we are doing to change the situation.  If we find we are doing the same thing over and over again to change the situation with the same result, perhaps it's time to change the strategy and maybe get a better result.