Dear School Community,

We are now two weeks into Term 1, and it has been fantastic to see our school buzzing with energy, enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to learning. Students are settling into their classes, teachers are fostering engaging lessons, and our school community is coming together to make this a positive and productive start to the year.

A Smooth Start

Our students are quickly adapting to new routines and expectations, and it has been wonderful to witness their eagerness to learn. A special welcome to our new students and families—we hope you already feel a strong sense of belonging in our school community.

Facilities Update

I am very excited to announce that our new Snoezelen room is now complete and ready for all of our students to enjoy. This space provides a calming and structured environment designed to support students with diverse sensory needs. It offers a variety of sensory experiences, including soothing lights, tactile objects, and calming sounds, helping students regulate their emotions and improve focus. By incorporating a Snoezelen room into our school, we aim to promote emotional well-being, enhance learning readiness, and create a more inclusive environment that supports every student's unique needs.

Staff Updates

We are excited to welcome new members to our teaching and support staff this year. Their dedication and passion for education are already making an impact, and we look forward to working together to provide the best learning environment for our students.

Upcoming Events

There are several exciting events on the horizon, including our Individual Curriculum Plan (ICP) and PFAP meetings. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, gain insight into classroom expectations, and ask any questions you may have. We strongly encourage all parents and caregivers to attend and engage in open communication with our staff.

Many teachers have already initiated discussions with parents and carers regarding expectations and collaborative support strategies. The scheduled ICP and PFAP meetings in the coming weeks will allow for in-depth, face-to-face discussions on how best to support your child's success in learning.

Student and Family Wellbeing

Ensuring our students feel safe, supported, and confident in their learning journey is a priority. Our Wellbeing and Engagement team is available to assist students and their families with any challenges they may face, and we encourage you to reach out if you are in need of support. Our Social Worker and Chaplain are available 2 days a week and our Guidance Officer works Tuesday through to Friday.

Reminders

• Please ensure you sign your child in/out at the office if arriving after 9am and leaving before 2:30pm.
• Students and their families are to wait until 8:30am before heading to classrooms.
• If your child is unwell, please notify the office as soon as possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to a fantastic term ahead and appreciate the partnership between home and school in making this a successful year for all.

Remember to follow us on Facebook for all exciting news and information on upcoming events!

Kind Regards,

Renée Zhu

Principal

During week 1, auditions for the Mudgee Melodies were held for all students who were interested in joining the school choir. In week 2 students were excited to check the choir list to see if they made it in. Congratulations to all students who were successful in their auditions. If students missed the audition for any reason they will also be allowed to join if interested.

Representatives from Variety, the Children's Charity, are back in 2025 teaching financial literacy skills to our Senior students. We are so grateful for this partnership, giving our students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of money, budgeting and saving.

As parents and caregivers, we all want what’s best for our children, and part of ensuring their success at school is maintaining open communication with teachers and staff. If you have concerns or want to share important information about your child, it’s helpful to approach the school in a way that allows everyone to work together effectively. Here are some tips to help you share information and build a positive relationship with your child’s teacher and/or support staff: 

1. Request an Appointment in Advance: Teachers are busy, especially during the school day. If you need to discuss something important, it's best to schedule an appointment rather than trying to catch them during drop-off or pick-up times. A formal meeting will give you both the time and attention needed to address any concerns thoughtfully. Email or call the school office to arrange a time that works for everyone.
2. Allow Time for Your Child to Settle In: Every child needs time to adjust to a new environment, especially at the start of the school year or after transitions. It’s helpful to give the teacher some time to get to know your child’s strengths, challenges, and unique needs before jumping into specific concerns. Teachers want to support your child, but they also need to observe them in the classroom setting to understand how best to help.
3. Bring Any Relevant Reports or Documents: If your child has any reports or evaluations that could provide insight into their needs, be sure to bring them to your child’s classroom teacher. This includes Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, or Psychological assessments, as well as any paperwork from Paediatricians or GPs. These documents can offer valuable information about your child's strengths, challenges, and areas where they may need additional support, helping the teacher to better understand how to meet their unique needs in the classroom.
4. Advocate for Your Child, but Consider the Bigger Picture: It’s important to advocate for your child’s individual needs, but it’s also essential to understand that your child is part of a larger classroom dynamic. Teachers are working with a group of students, each with different needs. Be open to collaboration, and try to balance advocating for your child while being mindful of how classroom resources and time are distributed.
5. Respect the Teacher’s Time: Remember, teachers are teaching during school hours and are often juggling multiple responsibilities. Morning entry times can be especially busy as teachers prepare for the day. It's best to avoid trying to have lengthy conversations at this time. Instead, schedule a proper meeting when you can have undivided attention to discuss your concerns.

By keeping these tips in mind, we can create a partnership with our children’s teachers that will help ensure their success and well-being. Working together in a respectful and thoughtful way makes a big difference in supporting our children’s learning and growth.

The P&C would like to welcome you back to what will undoubtedly be a fun-filled and busy 2025 at Mudgeeraba Special School.

A special welcome to our new families. We hope your first year with our Mudgeeraba Special family will be all that you hope for and more.

Each term, our uniform shop opens every second Monday on odd weeks. Because Monday of Week 1 this year has fallen on a public holiday, the Uniform Shop will
be open Monday on week 2 from 8.30am – 9.30am.

The dates for the Uniform Shop Term 1 are:
Monday 3rd February
Monday 10th February
Monday 24th February
Monday 10th March
Monday 24th March

The uniform shop is located on Level 1 in Q block next to the lift.
We look forward to seeing you during the year.