Principal's Report

Dear Rockhampton North Special School Community,

 

Hello everyone,

 

I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the term so far. We've got a few important updates and exciting news to share with you!

 

P&C Meeting Change

First up, our next P&C meeting has been rescheduled. Originally planned for Friday the 16th of August, it will now be held on Wednesday the 14th of August after school. This is a one-time change, and we apologise for any inconvenience this might cause. We’ll send out more details soon about the next P&C meeting, so keep an eye out!

 

Fantastic Progress in Phonics

I’m thrilled to share some fantastic news about our students’ progress in phonics. Our recent data shows a tremendous increase in their ability to recognise sounds, segment, and blend words. As part of a larger initiative involving 12 other special schools across Queensland, we’ve been building our staff’s capability to teach phonics in a systematic way. For those who love the data: we’ve seen an 18% increase in students able to segment and blend words, and 23 % more students can now read high-frequency words! This is a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work of our students and staff. If you’d like to discuss your child’s progress in reading, please feel free to contact their teacher. We’re here to support you with ideas and options for practicing at home.

 

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Our recent visit from the school advisor on Positive Behaviour for Learning brought some great feedback. The advisor was very impressed with how well our school is displaying and teaching the expected behaviours through our school values. I’d like to give a special shoutout to our Student Support Team, who have been working tirelessly to manage referrals for students displaying significant behaviours of concern. This team approach, involving staff, therapists, and parents, has proven highly effective. It’s a wonderful example of how we can achieve great outcomes when we work together.

 

Survey Participation

We’re nearing the end of our School Opinion Survey period, and so far, only 15% of our families have completed it. We’d love to hear from more of you! The survey closes on Friday, and we’re hoping to reach at least 20% participation. Your voice is incredibly important in shaping the future of our school. Please search your inbox for ‘School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2024’ and take a few minutes to share your thoughts.

 

Swimming Program Coming Soon

Lastly, I’m excited to announce that we’ll be providing a swimming program for our students early next term. Swimming is such a valuable life skill, and we’re looking forward to getting everyone involved. More information will be coming your way soon, so please stay tuned!

 

Thank you for your ongoing support. Let’s keep up the great work together!

 

 

Warm regards,

Dehlia Dawson

Principal