As the term comes to an end we wish to salute the amazing team at Mudgeeraba Special School. Their selfless support for students, families and the wider community hasn’t gone unnoticed. Our staff have shown their sense of team ensuring everything we do will have a positive impact on every student in our school. I applaud the professionalism of our teachers and cannot thank them enough for making sure Mudgee is magnificent. 

Every day I walk into the school thankful that, I work at Mudgeeraba Special School. I get to work in the most amazing special school because everyone makes sure our students are at the core of everything we do. I think our strengths as a school community are; 

• students and families matter 
• ability to learn together to come up with solutions 
• identifying clarity with goals for each student to ensure everyone succeeds 
• dedicated expert teachers who are always working towards high standards 
• having ‘fun’ through age appropriate pedagogies  
• open and honest communication 

With COVID 19 restrictions and families being unable to see our school community, we really wanted to capture our school community and culture, so we decided to film a promotional video that can be shared on many multimedia platforms and with any new families who want to join our school community. We hoped to include as many students and families as we could, it will only be a few minute video so we apologise if students are not captured. We are so excited to see the finished product! 

From my family to yours please stay safe over the holidays; I look forward to seeing you in term four. 

Natasha Markwick

What a fabulous way to end our Term.  International Talk Like A Pirate Day was so much fun. All our students came to school dressed up and engaged in talking like pirates for the day.  Our school had some disco fun to end the day and Teachers and Students all danced together.  To our entire school community please have a wonderful safe holiday and we are looking forward to seeing you all back at school on Tuesday 6th October. 

• Student attendance 8.30 am till 2.45 pm.
• Phone the office and request the classroom. Please always be mindful of students' learning and teachers teaching times.
• If you are late to start the school day please attend the School Office and staff will assist with contacting your class.
• Utilise the students' Communication Diary and Seesaw.
• Request face to face meetings through your class teacher before, after school or in their noncontact time.

Via Social Media:

Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Maintaining the required hygiene and physical distancing measures in place in our school. These are our most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is not preferred however for Term 3 we will maintain limiting large groups of adults onsite or outside personnel from outside agencies eg therapists. All contractors for work repairs will adhere to Departmental guidelines. We are working with providers for School Graduation as we need to meet guidelines re dancing so 2020 Graduation most likely will look different. Schoolies has been officially cancelled and we already modelled this in the best way possible through accessing the Tallebudgeera Camp Facility in Term 3 Week 10.

we would like to clarify that if a member of your household is sick, you are not required to stay home unless you have received health advice to do so.

Any person who is sick (staff, student or parent) should stay home and if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Loss of taste or smell
• Tiredness and muscle aches
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Shortness of breath

If students or staff present at school as unwell we will follow up and request an imediate early departure until a medical clearance is provided and confirmation that the person is well.

We need to ensure we stay home if recurring flu like symptoms present to decrease the spread of influenza.

Further information about COVID-19 testing is available via the link below:

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-feverclinics

If you have any questions, please call your doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Border restrictions Remain in Place

You would be aware that the Premier announced that from 1am Saturday 8 August, all local government areas in NSW and the ACT will be declared COVID-19 hotspots.

This means that any person who has been in NSW or the ACT during the past 14 days must not enter Queensland.  There are some exceptions subject to strict conditions including Queensland residents returning home who will be subject to government-directed quarantine at their own expense.

NEXT STEPS ANNUAL DATA

2020 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is seeking the support of the school community for the annual survey of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school in 2019, before completing Year 12. This short, confidential survey collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The results of the survey help provide valuable information to improve services available to school leavers in the future.

Between August and September, these school leavers can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of Next Step post-school destination surveys in 2020.

For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

Our Annual Day for Daniel Walk will be held on Friday 30^th October, 2020. Due to the current restrictions in place with COVID-19, we have made this a student and staff only event. Remember to set up a student profile online following the steps on schoolfunrun.com.au. Money raised will go to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and our playground upgrade. Prizes are given to students who raise $10 and above.