the

red hillQUARTERLY Red Hill Special

School’s Newsletter

From the PrincipalIssue 50 September 2017

Points of Interest

School resumes –

Tuesday 3rd October

School Review 4th - 6th

October

P&C Golf Day - Friday

27th October

Graduation - Saturday

18th November

Christmas Conert -

Thursday 7th December

Inside this Issue

1 Principal News

3 School News

5 Classroom Programs

8 Community Programs

12 Special Events

Dear Families

Welcome to the term three newsletter, what a busy term we have had. As you will see from this newsletter, students have participated in many learning activities both in and out of the school. As always the focus of all activities has been on communication to build literacy and numeracy. The newsletter can be downloaded from our website: www.redhillspecs.eq.edu.au

This term we have had an increased focus on students and staff carrying their Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems wherever they go. AAC systems used in the school include PODD and Proloquo2Go. It is great to see students and staff carrying and using their AAC throughout the school and community. Communication opportunities and interactions open up when students and staff carry their AAC everywhere. This will continue to be a focus in term 4.

School Review

Our school is scheduled for a school review from 4th - 6th October 2017.

The Department of Education and Training regularly reviews Queensland state schools to ensure they’re delivering quality education to students. The reviews are conducted by the department’s School Improvement Unit.

The reviews do not rate or compare schools, but provide teachers and other staff with independent feedback to help them continue to improve learning outcomes for students.

All schools have a review at least every four years. Key findings from the review will be made available to parents and the community on the school’s website.

The review team would like to hear from our school community and I encourage anyone who is interested to have their say. Your feedback is important and will help us continue to deliver a great education for students.

Feedback can be provided to the review team by phone or in person. All feedback is confidential.

learning for life E: admin@redhillspecs.eq.edu.au | W: www.redhillspecs.eq.edu.au

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Please contact the school office if you are interested in speaking to a reviewer. Alternatively, youcan register your interest by emailing SIUMB@det.qld.gov.au. More information about the reviewprocess is available from the department’s website at www.schoolreviews.eq.edu.au.

Facebook and Email

Our Facebook page is being updated regularly and it is great to see so many parents and friends following our page. In term four we will continue to post information and photos of students and the amazing work they are doing. Don’t forget to check the Facebook page for up to date information on what is happening in the school. If you haven’t already done so, please return your media consent forms if you would like your child’s photos to be included on Facebook. We are also using email to send out important information on a range of topics to families. Please ensure the office has your up to date email if you haven’t received any of these emails.

Important Dates to Remember

• Term4Dates: Tuesday 3rd October and the last day of term 4 is Friday 8th December. • ProfessionalDevelopmentDay:The school will be closed to students on Monday 16th October as staff participate in a range of professional learning opportunities to support the educational programs of students.• P&CTeamGolfDay: Friday 27th October @11:30am. This is a fundraising event hosted by the P&C at the Ashgrove Golf Club. Further information to follow.• Graduation:The Senior Graduation will be held on Saturday 18th November 2017 at The Broncos Leagues Club. All of the graduating students are looking forward to celebrating with their families, friends and staff.• ChristmasConcert:The annual end of year concert will be held on Thursday 7th December 2017.

Have a great holiday and we will see you all for a busy term four when school begins on Tuesday 3rd October.

JacintaXavierActing PrincipalRed Hill Special School

School News

Information for Parents: How do we share books with children and use AAC?

Follow the CAR (comment, ask, respond) is a strategy to encourage engagement in shared reading sessions. • Comment on a page in the book WAIT (at least five seconds)• Ask questions about a page in the book and WAIT (at least five seconds)• Respond by adding a little more

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Remember, always use the person’s communication system when YOU are talking about the book.

Ok, so what does this look like when you are reading ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and using a PODD?

CAR What you say PODD pathway

Comment Oh, Look the moon! Point to• “Look”, • Picture of the moon on the page of the book.

Ask Can you see the moon out of your window?

Point to • “More to say”• “I’m asking a question”• “you need to tell me yes or no”• “Where” “do” “you” Go back to page 1• “see” (look) at the • “More to say”• “I want to show you something”• “Categories”• “Days and times” • “Night”

Respond I like the moon Point to • “More to say” • “I think it’s”• “I like it”

Check out our Red Hill Special School Facebook page for some videos of the PODD being used.

Also have a look at Mem Fox’s Ten Read Aloud Commandments for more about shared reading. http://memfox.com/for-parents/for-parents-ten-read-aloud-commandments/

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.

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Numeracy

Over the last term all students have been active participants in exploring 2D and 3D shapes and their properties. We have been using all of our senses (which makes it more fun), and as with all our work, language has been modelled using AAC.

Communication

The curriculum focus at Red Hill Special School is communication to build literacy and numeracy. This school wide priority means that everyone talks with students using their individualised communication system throughout the school day. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is the basis of all learning and activities are planned with an emphasis on AAC so that all students can access the learning. Communication is multi modal and includes speech, Auslan and AAC (PODD, Proloquo2Go and many other forms of communication using a wide range of technologies including eye gaze).

Literacy

This term as part of our balanced literacy program the focus has been on independent writing. It is great to see students using a wide range of alternate pencils to write for real reasons. Students have been engaged in a range of writing activities including sign on, writing letters to friends, writing about photos and ‘just write’ sessions.

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Assembly

Every Friday half of the school attends an assembly. Students sing the National Anthem as well as the school Super Hero song. They also present what they have been working on to other classes.

Students of the Week

At assemblies students receive student of the week certificates. Congratulations to all of our ‘Students of the Week’ from this term. Great efforts from all of our certificate winners and they also earn a photo in the new ‘Special Award’ chair. Pictured below are some students of the week from term three.

Classroom Programs

ECDP

Our Early Childhood Development Program continues to grow in size. We now have five pre-prep classes as well as playgroup. Staff have been amazed by the children’s progress this term.

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Swimming and Hyrotherapy

Even during our colder months our students enjoy the benefits of the swimming and hydrotherapy programs in the heated pool.

Gym

Some students attend a weekly YMCA gym program. Students participate in specialist gross motor programs and are becoming more confident with the gym equipment each week.

Golf

On Thursdays, First Swing Golf, is delvering the MyGolf School Golf Program as part of the Sporting Schools Program. Our coach, Jay, provides our students with some modified equipment to help them participate in the program. This will continue in term four.

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Music Therapy

Each class has a weekly music therapy session with our trained music therapist. The students always look forward to these sessions which combine communication with music making activities.

BAMD

Bust a Move Dance continued to run classes this term. All the students who participate in the classes have enjoyed learning the dance routines.

Snackshop and Hilltop Pizza

Every Friday Senior 2 students and staff organise and run our school Snackshop and Hilltop Pizza. Well done guys, we certainly appreciate your efforts and enjoy eating the yummy food.

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Community Programs

Horse Riding

Students continue to enjoy the horse riding at the McIntyre Centre. This program provides our students with many opportunities throughout the week to communicate with their peers, teachers and parents about their experiences in this program.

Horrible Harriet

Three of our middle school classes were lucky enough to travel into QUT Gardens Point theatre to watch a performance of Horrible Harriet. They all enjoyed the performance.

Senior 1

In week 7, Senior 1 students and staff went on a four-night camp to Windward Passage. Everyone was exhausted on their return but still had smiles on their faces!

Junior Secondary 2

In week 8, Junior Secondary 2 attended a three-night camp at Caloundra. The class enjoyed a day out at Australia Zoo and challenged Middle 4 to a ten pin bowling competition.

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Camps

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Middle 4

Middle 4 also had a wonderful time on their camp in week 8. They enjoyed hanging out, bowling and some pretty beautiful beach walks. They made some really special memories and shared lots of laughs together.

Junior Secondary 3

In week 9 Junior Secondary 3 had their turn to go away for three nights. They really enjoyed their day out at UnderWater World.

Clowning

Students from Ferny Grove State High School put on a clowning performance for our students. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon session and our students were invited to join with the high school students at the end to trial some of their equipment. Everyone had a great time!

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Darling Point Fun Run

This term five of our classes attended the 40th Annual Darling Point Fun Run. All staff and students enjoyed the perfect weather and the exercise. Many thanks to Townsend Bus Services for again supporting the transport of our staff and students to and from the event.

Supercars

Senior 2 took a break from making pizzas earlier in the term to visit the Supercars in Ipswich.

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Community Based Learning

Each week different groups of students and staff take their learning experiences into community settings. Some students do the weekly class shopping while others enjoy leisure and recreational activities.

Special Events

Super Hero Day

As part of our Supportive School Environment (SSE) committee’s activities, all staff and students dressed up as their favourite super heroes last week in support of Muscular Dystrophy.

Book Week

This term the school celebrated Book Week. As a culminating activity staff and students dressed up as their favourite book characters and attended a school parade.

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Staff Professional Development

Jane Farrall (Speech Language Pathologist and Special Educator) was back in our school for 2 days on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th August. Jane worked in classes throughout the school over the 2 days. The teachers also attended a professional development session run by Jane entitled ‘Why We Do What We Do.’

Farewell

This term we bid farewell to two of our long serving staff members, Tracy Rowlands and Mary Nobes. We wish them all the very best and cannot thank them enough for their tireless efforts at Red Hill Special School.

Mel Noonan

Our sincere thanks again this year to Mel Noonan from Mel Noonan Photography for her tireless work taking group and individual school photos of each of our students. Mel works for hours behind the scenes to magically ensure each photo is perfect!