Principal's Report

Dear Rockhampton North Special School Community,

 

Celebrating Happiness, Harmony, and Learning Success!

 

This week is a special one for our school community as we celebrate International Day of Happiness on Thursday and Harmony Day on Friday.

 

International Day of Happiness – Thursday

On Thursday, we invite all students and staff to wear bright and cheerful colours to mark International Day of Happiness! Happiness is more than just feeling good—it’s about well-being, connection, and positivity. As a school, we can boost our own happiness by practicing gratitude, being kind to others, and taking time for things that bring us joy. Research tells us that happiness is contagious—so let’s spread some smiles this Thursday!

 

Harmony Day – Friday

On Friday, we celebrate Harmony Day by wearing something orange, the official colour of the day. Harmony Day is about inclusivity, respect, and belonging for all Australians, regardless of background. Our school community is wonderfully diverse, and this is a great opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to build a culture of understanding and unity.

 

Building Pride Through Phonics

We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made in their phonics learning! Through our structured phonics program, students are excelling in recognising and using new sounds to build their reading and writing skills. Research strongly supports explicit phonics instruction as the most effective way to teach reading, particularly for students who need extra support. Unlike the whole language approach used in the past—which relied on memorising words and guessing from context—phonics teaches students the fundamental building blocks of words. This ensures they have the skills to decode and understand any new word they encounter.

 

We’re seeing fantastic results, and our staff should be proud of the impact they’re making! Thank you for your ongoing commitment to student success.

 

Let’s make this a week filled with happiness, harmony, and learning!

 

Warm regards,

Dehlia

Principal

Rockhampton North Special School