Hello Families,

As we come to the end of Term 2, I find myself reflecting on what has been another busy, productive and rewarding term at Melton Specialist School. It is difficult to believe we are already halfway through the school year. Every day I am reminded of what a special place our school is, and Term 2 has once again highlighted the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our students and the strength of our community.

I would like to begin by thanking our families for the trust you place in us each day. Educating and supporting our students is a partnership, and the relationships we build with families are critical to student success. We value your insights, your questions and your feedback.

I particularly want to acknowledge those families who have taken the time to share feedback with us this term. While it can sometimes feel challenging to raise concerns or ask difficult questions, these conversations are incredibly important. I encourage all families to continue engaging with your child's teacher and school leaders, asking questions and seeking clarification when needed. Being curious about your child's learning and school experience helps us work together more effectively. When we understand your perspectives, we are in a stronger position to support both you and your child. And while concerns are sometimes raised, I am pleased to say that we also receive many messages celebrating the positive experiences families have at our school. These messages are always appreciated and are a wonderful reminder of the impact our staff have every day.

Throughout the term, we have welcomed many visitors to Melton Specialist School. Educators, support staff and leaders from schools across the region have visited to learn more about our Structured TEACCHing approach and to observe our classrooms in action. It has been wonderful to hear their feedback. Visitors consistently describe our learning environments as calm, engaging, purposeful and highly individualised. They comment on the positive relationships between staff and students and the way our learning spaces are carefully designed to support success for every learner. These visits reinforce what we already know—that the work happening in our classrooms each day is something to be proud of.

As Semester 1 comes to a close, we always look forward to our Student Support Group (SSG) Day. Thank you to families who have already booked their meetings. These sessions provide an important opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school. This year, families will not only discuss their child's Semester 1 report and progress towards Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals but will also have the opportunity to learn more about classroom structures, teaching strategies and the programs that support student learning and independence. We know that when families have a deeper understanding of how their child learns at school, we can work together even more effectively.

One of the highlights of this term has been the return of our fortnightly assemblies. These gatherings have brought students, staff and families together to celebrate achievements, recognise effort and strengthen our sense of belonging. It has been wonderful to see students becoming increasingly confident participating in these events. As students continue to grow comfortable in the assembly environment, we look forward to introducing class performances in the coming terms. Families will continue to be invited to attend, and we will ensure you are notified whenever your child is receiving an award or participating in a performance.

As we head into the holiday break, I would like to thank our incredible staff for their professionalism, commitment and care. Every day they go above and beyond to create learning environments where students feel safe, supported and successful. I would also like to congratulate our students on another successful term. Their resilience, growth and achievements continue to inspire us all.

On behalf of the entire leadership team, I wish all students, families and staff a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break. We hope you have the opportunity to relax, spend time with loved ones and return refreshed for what promises to be an exciting and successful

Term 3.

Best wishes

Brooke

Dates to Remember