Dear Mudgeeraba Special School Families,

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope all families enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing Easter break. In today’s busy world, family time is truly precious, and I took full advantage of the holidays to enjoy some quality moments with my children.

In the first week of Term 2, Mudgeeraba Special School hosted our ANZAC ceremony, a significant event on our calendar. Once again, our school honoured this solemn day with respect and pride. We were honoured to welcome Cornel Jack Gamble from the Mudgeeraba RSL, who reminded our students of the essence of the ANZAC spirit and the importance of honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in war. Cornel Gamble shared touching stories, including that of Florence Nightingale, highlighting the invaluable contributions of nurses during wartime. His commendation of our students' respectful behaviour and the quality of our tribute was deeply appreciated.

Last Friday, we proudly celebrated our student leaders as they were officially recognised and presented with their school leadership badges. In a special milestone for our school, this was the first year our Year 6 leaders were included in the ceremony—an exciting step that acknowledges the important role they play in setting a positive example for their peers. It was a proud moment for all involved, and we look forward to seeing these students grow and shine in their leadership roles throughout the year.

Students’ social and emotional wellbeing is central to all that we do at Mudgee.  Over the next few weeks, children across the school will be invited to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) survey. The QEW survey aims to collect information from Queensland state schools in a consistent and systematic way to gain a better understanding of the engagement and wellbeing of our students.

The QEW is offered on a voluntary basis and asks questions about many aspects of students' wellbeing, engagement and experience at school. Data from the survey will help our school monitor our school culture, school engagement and student wellbeing. The QEW survey gives us the opportunity to hear the collective voice of our students. Survey results are intended to inform continuous improvement within schools and provide an evidence-based approach to positively and proactively support students’ mental health, school engagement and wellbeing.

The QEW survey measures wellbeing and engagement across 12 domains, including resilience, school climate, sense of belonging, motivation and perseverance, academic self-concept, personal social capabilities, general life satisfaction, future outlook and aspirations, relationships with peers, with teachers and at home, and general health. I am really looking forward to analysing the feedback from all our students, and look at how we can best support their ongoing needs.

Embracing Communication: The Impact of Proloquo in Our School Community

Communication is at the core of all learning, and our school community has made an exciting leap forward by embracing Proloquo, an innovative AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tool. This powerful software has quickly become an essential part of our classrooms, supporting both students and staff in developing and expanding their communication skills.

Proloquo offers far more than just words—it opens up new opportunities for meaningful connection and expression. With its extensive vocabulary and user-friendly design, it enhances both understanding and interaction, making it easier for everyone to participate confidently in learning. The wide range of language options ensures that every teacher can support their students in finding their voice and expressing themselves in ways that truly resonate.

If you find yourself dropping your child off after 9:00 am or picking them up before 2:30 pm, we kindly ask that you please sign in and out at the main office. This simple step helps us ensure the safety and security of all students within our school community.

Yours Sincerely,

Renée Zhu

Principal

Our Senior students engage in Certificate I courses to develop their vocational, literacy, numeracy and life skills in a practical setting. Here of some pictures of our hospitality students in action.