Principal's Report

Dear Families of Rockhampton North Special School,

This October is buzzing with important events and awareness events at our school! We're diving into AAC Awareness Month, focusing on augmentative communication tools like Proloquo2Go. We're also embracing 'Awareness, Belonging, Connection' for Wellbeing Month, promoting mental health in our community. Plus, we're gearing up for 'Day for Daniel' to emphasize child safety. Don’t forget, we have our P&C meeting and also our Grandparents Day this Friday. To all Grandparents or significant others, please contact the school to add your name to our beverage list. 

Augmented Communication Month

This October, we are joining the global community in observing AAC Awareness Month, initiated by ISAAC in 2007. The focus is on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which includes a range of methods beyond speech to facilitate communication. AAC can be either Unaided, utilizing natural gestures like signing and eye pointing, or Aided, which involves tools such as communication boards and electronic systems like speech-generating devices. The benefits of AAC are manifold; it allows individuals to express themselves more completely, thereby fostering a sense of inclusion, reducing frustration, and allowing for greater autonomy in decision-making.

Here at our school, we are committed to inclusivity, and that commitment is reflected in our use of AAC technologies like Proloquo2Go and visual language displays. Proloquo2go is integrated into our classrooms and aids students with communication challenges by offering them a platform to articulate their thoughts, needs, and ideas effectively. By spotlighting AAC this month, we aim to deepen our collective understanding of these essential communication methods and to uphold our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students. Our Communication Team is doing an amazing job in supporting staff and students to use various devices to enhance communication in all classrooms. 

Wellbeing Month

In Queensland this October we're also embracing our unique focus, 'Awareness, Belonging, Connection,' as these elements are pivotal in sustaining positive mental health. Whether it's self-care, caring for someone close, or community support, each of us has a role in promoting mental health. These themes encourage meaningful connections and conversations around mental health and wellbeing.   Our aim is to shatter stigmas, encourage help-seeking behaviours, and foster a sense of belonging and awareness. To support these goals, our school is committed to holistic wellbeing, offering resources that range from mindfulness techniques to nutritional insights. https://www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au/find-help/

So this Wellbeing Month, let's all ponder on the roles we can play and how 'Awareness, Belonging, Connection' can make a difference in our community. Sometimes, it's all about a smile reaching out to a colleague or community member and adopting our values of Care, Courage and Cooperation. 

Day for Daniel

Child Safety remains a paramount priority, which we continually strive to uphold. In alignment with this, we are recognizing ‘Day for Daniel’ on the 27th of October. This day is aimed at heightening awareness and education around child safety and protection measures. Australians are encouraged on this day to wear red, educate and donate. Day for Daniel is about educating children and adults about keeping kids safe through child safety and protection initiatives. https://danielmorcombe.com.au/day-for-daniel/

Swimming

Unfortunately Aqua Jets is not able to accommodate our Primary School students swimming program this term. We will be training staff in both certificates to be able to deliver swimming to all of our students next year.

As we approach the end of the year, our team is not only dedicated to finishing strong but also starting to plan for the year ahead. Staff are finalising students assessments for reporting and additionally looking at class placements for next year. If you have any matters you would like to raise with me regarding class placements, please feel free to contact me. Teachers are not able to request specific learners, so requests for a specific teacher won’t be considered.

Kind regards,

Dehlia