Join us for morning tea at our coffee shop. "The Frothee Coffee Shoppee" is a school-based work experience program that is operated by our students on Friday mornings between 10am-12pm The Kingfisher Bookings essential Our Community Newsletter Need somewhere for your next meeting or conference? Available for hire is our new hall and also our hospitality centre, at reasonable rates. Please contact the school for more information. 751 Zillmere Road, Aspley Q 4034 PO Box 67, Zillmere Q 4034 Telephone: 07 3867 2333 Fax: 07 3863 7791 Email: [email protected] Principal’s Update It is hard to believe that Term One is over in a week and it is Easter! It has been an action packed term here at Aspley Special School with students and staff constantly kept busy with programs and events. Over the past few weeks Carl England, myself and the classroom teachers have completed 21 PATH plans (Planning Alternative Tomorrow with Hope) for year 10 and 11 students. Each of these plans takes a minimum of an hour and a half. Thank-you to the families, students and other participants for your involvement in this process which helps all stakeholders gain a focus for the future paths of our students and how we can all help them achieve their goals. Thanks also to the rest of the school community for allowing us the time to complete them. For one day each week for the next 5 weeks, and also into next term, we are hosting a number of Education students from University Queensland. As part of one of their courses the UQ students are required to spend some time in a special school. This is a great experience and opportunity to experience special education and how the curriculum can be differentiated to suit the needs of the individual. We welcome them and hope they enjoy their time at Aspley Special School. On Friday 20th March our school took part in the National “Bullying No Way” Day. Many of the students wore orange and received a “say no to bullying” wristband. Both of these are simple reminders of the importance of showing “respect” to each other. On our mini assembly we discussed how respecting others also allows us to respect ourselves. This is all part of our “learning for life” motto. Throughout the term the Cerebral Palsy League Screech Theatre workshops have been held on a Tuesday afternoon in the hall. A number of students have been attending this after school. Martina, the coordinator, is keen to continue these sessions in term two. If you are interested in your child attending please keep a look out for an expression of interest flyer that will go out to families this week. Positive Partnerships are a group who support school age students on the autism spectrum. They are holding a free 2 day workshop and information session for parents and carers of school aged children with autism. The sessions will be held on Wed 22 & Thursday 23rd April at the Brisbane International Hotel, Boondall. If you are interested in this workshop please contact the office and the information will be sent home in your child’s communication book. Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank the whole staff for their ongoing support and hard work this term. It has been an extra busy one. To the ladies at the front line in the office, Leanne, Lea and Beryl, have a great Easter break - you deserve it. As do our hardworking cleaners and groundsman. Also to Carl and Leena who have assisted me in the office while Ches has been on leave. It is the whole team that counts at Aspley Special School as when we all work together we achieve great things. Have a wonderful Easter break to all the parents and students. Let’s hope term two begins with cooler weather and our energy levels rejuvenated. Cheers Gayle Morton Acting Principal Deputy Principal’s Update One of the numerous goals that we have for Term 1 every year is to establish good communication with our parents and carers so that we can collaboratively identify the learning needs of our students. One of the many ways that we achieve this is through the PATH process which Gayle mentioned above. All students in our senior school take part in a PATH meeting in year 10. The purpose of our PATH meetings is to help map out a visual image of the preferred, possible future pathway of our students. It involves bringing together the key people in a student’s life (their parents/carers, their teacher and other key stakeholders) and using a visual tool to map out a journey and actions for this desired future. As a school, we use these student-centred PATH meetings to gain a greater understanding of our students, their dreams, the people around them and the steps that we can take to support them achieve the goals they want for their future. The key focal point of any PATH meeting is the graphic planning tool that we use which exists on a long, large piece of paper. On it we record the key points of discussion which is guided by a series of questions relevant to obtaining as much information as possible to plan for the future. Some of the areas that we discuss as a group in the meeting include: • the student’s dreams for the future • the student’s gifts and talents • goals for the student in the last year of school and their first year out • important people that will be able to help them moving forward • potential blocks to them achieving their goals • ways to help keep them stronger in the future After the completion of a PATH meeting, our Teachers use the valuable information from the meeting to assist in the design of suitable learning goals and programs for our students. PATH plans are kept and referred to regularly and are brought out at future meetings to discuss and update as needed. Having now completed over 20 PATH meetings in the past few weeks, I have been extremely impressed with the engagement of our students and their parents/carers, and with the rich discussion we have had about their goals for the future. We have come to greatly value the role of the PATH process in our school and hope to continue to improve its use and implementation in the future. Carl England A/Deputy Principal Head of Curriculum Update adidas Fun Run / Walkathon – Thursday 2nd April The big day is getting closer all the time, and a huge thank you to those who have dug deep to support the fundraising efforts of our Walkathon. Students are excitedly planning the prizes they are aiming for, and the more money raised means the better the prize they can earn! Hopefully the weather will be a beautiful autumn morning, starting at 10.00am, and finishing around an hour later. We are looking for parents / carers willing to help out for the big event, to cheer on our students as they do the laps around the school. If anyone is interested please contact Leena Sanderson, as soon as possible, to organise checkpoints and ‘water-carriers’. We look forward to seeing you there! Art & Wine Show 2015 Excitement is building as staff and students are exploring a range of different art mediums. Meantime, save the date Friday 11 September 2015, for an elegant evening of art appreciation, wine and delicious canapés! Cheers Leena Sanderson Acting Head of Curriculum From the Office Only a few days of school term left till Easter. This term for some reason has been full on for all staff. Thank you to all those who paid the Voluntary Contribution so far. This contribution is TAX DEDUCTIBLE for all Special Schools. The contribution helps run our specialist programs for all our students (ie. CBI, Post school transition programs, travel training, cooking and work experience to name a few). Just a reminder to all parents and carers that camp payments must be paid in full before camp starts. Part payments can be made, please see the office staff. Different book suppliers, leave in our office, books, games and gifts for sale. If you would like to browse through these and make an order, please feel free to visit our office any time. These items make great gifts for that birthday that has sneaked up on you or to put away for Christmas As you know, we collect 5 cent coins for the Fred Hollows Foundation- Indigenous. Thank you to those who have sent in their collections. If anyone would like to advertise their business in our newsletter, please contact any of us in the office. For a business card size for 6 months, the cost is $55.00. Life Hints: The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be. Because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. You’ve got to take the good with the bad, smile with the sad, love what you’ve got, and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from mistakes, but never regret. The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters! We wish you all a great Easter and please be safe. Leanne, Lea & Beryl Dates to Remember Adidas School Fun Run Good Friday School Holidays start School Resumes – Term 2 ANZAC Assembly 9am Junior Secondary Camp Senior 1 Camp 02nd April 03rd April 04th April 20th April 24th April th 29 Apr – 1st May 5th - 7th May Birthday Wishes Alysa Charles Daniel T James H Jessica Mc Kalum Lachlan D Lily M Natasha J Richard H Tammy Tanya Thomas B Declan B 04 March 10 March 17 March 14 March 07 March 28 March 29 March 22 March 09 March 20 March 23 March 23 March 07 March 31 March Next Step Survey The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2014. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12. Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2015. Further information on Next Step is available online at www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587. The Frothee Coffee Shop Coffee shop dates for Term 2 2015 15 May 22 May 29 May 05 June 12 June 19 June Please note, there are two sittings for the Coffee Shop, 10am and 11am. The Coffee Shop takes a maximum of 25 customers per sitting so early bookings are essential. Unless you have booked a table through the OFFICE the Coffee Shop will not be able to seat you. Thank you. Immunisation Program comes to schools This year Brisbane City Council’s Immunisation Service is providing free vaccinations for all Year 8 and Year 10 Students as part of Queensland Health’s annual School Based Vaccination Program. All year 8 students are being offered vaccination to protect against HPV and Chickenpox and while Year 8 and Year 10 students are being offered protection against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) Male and Female students in Year 8 are also being offered Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to protect against the Human Papillomavirus. The vaccinations will be conducted by a team of specially trained registered nurses. A consent form for each vaccination offered has been given to your child to bring home. Please read the information carefully, sign the consent form if you wish your child to be vaccinated and return the consent form to the school. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have breakfast on the morning of the vaccination. For more information about diseases, vaccines of the School Based Vaccination Program, visit www.health.qld.gov.au/school_vaccination/ or call 13 Health on 13 43 25 84 Plastic Shopping Bags If you have any clean shopping bags could you please send them into the school office as we use these plastic bags as bin liners. Thank you. Recipes from the office Pan Fried Gnocchi & Greens 2 tablespoons Olive oil 500g packet fresh potato gnocchi ¾ cup vegetable or chicken stock 40g butter Small head of broccoli, cut into small florets 1 bunch asparagus, chopped 100g snow peas, sliced ½ cup light thickened cream ¼ cup basil pesto 50g feta, crumbled ¼ cup basil leaves 2 tablespoons pine nuts toasted Garlic bread, to serve In a large fry pan, heat oil on high. Fry gnocchi 1-2 minutes until lightly coloured. Add stock to pan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, 3-4 minutes until all liquid is almost completely absorbed. Add butter to pan and stir through. Mix in broccoli, asparagus and snow peas and sauté 1-2 minutes until just tender. Stir in cream and pesto. Sprinkle with feta, basil leaves and pine nuts. Serve with garlic bread. Uniforms The uniform shop will be open:Wednesday 1st April, 2015 Wednesday 6th May 2015 Wednesday 3rd June 2015 Sandhya and Helen
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