Aspley Special School eNewsletter

Important Dates

Date	Event
December 8	Final school day for 2023
2024
January 18, 19	Staff Professional Development Days
January 22	First day of Term 1

Principal’s Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Another exciting year draws to an end.

Thanks especially to Carla for all of her organisation of the big day and also to all who helped make our 50th Anniversary, including fete such a wonderful day. It was great to see so many past students and staff enjoying the event. Thanks to all for your support and participation.

As usual our annual Awards Morning was a busy morning. Thanks especially to Kath, Vanessa and team for all of your time and dedication organising the event. It was a delight to see the sparkle of joy on students’ faces that their efforts had been recognised. This was the first time that we also combined the Awards Morning with the presentation or Leadership and House Badges to the students who will be our school leaders in 2024.

There is no better night in our school year than the Year 12 Formal. From the ride there in vintage cars to dancing the night away after dinner, it is always a memorable evening. Thanks very much to Lyndsay and team for all your organising including decorating the venue. Thanks also to InStitchu for their support in outfitting for our students who looked magnificent.

Year 12 Formal Photos

I would like to inform you of some staff changes happening at our school. Firstly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mira Ristovski and Fiona Reed who will be retiring at the end of this year. Their dedication and commitment to our students and school community will be greatly missed. I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Chappy Nathan Cruz for his invaluable contributions to our school, and we wish him well in his future endeavours. On a positive note, we are thrilled to announce that Jessica Croston and Philippa Jones will be returning to our staff. Their expertise and passion for education will undoubtedly enrich our school enviorment. Lastly, we would like to congratulate Murphy Baldry, who will be taking maternity leave. We wish her the best during this exciting time and look forward to welcoming her back in the future.

Please see below in Kath’s section for a re-run of the year.

Your child’s report card will arrive by email soon. Please make sure your email address is updated so that you can receive your child’s report card. Please also add Application.ONESCHOOL@qed.qld.gov.au to your list of safe senders to ensure report card emails aren’t sent to the Junk or Spam folder.

Yearbooks will soon be coming home or delivered by staff to your home for those students who have already finished school for the year.

We will be sending home class lists for 2024 soon. As happens every year, we closely monitor class groupings at the beginning of each school year. If we believe it would be in your child’s best interests to change classes early in 2024, we will be in touch with you to discuss why we would consider a change of class.

A reminder that on 6 July 2023, Minister Grace announced that all state school students will be required to keep their mobile phones ‘away for the day’ from the beginning of Term 1 2024. This announcement also extends to wearable devices like smartwatches, which can be worn, but must have notifications switched off, so that phone calls, messages and other notifications cannot be sent or received during school hours. This initiative will assist with reducing the potential for students to be exposed to the negative impacts of the digital world resulting from unsafe or inappropriate use of technology, such as cyberbullying, accessing harmful content or breaches of personal privacy. Please look out over the end of year break for social media postings by the Department of Education to school communities about the important role that parents and carers play in students’ safe and responsible use of mobile devices, both during and outside school hours.

Wishing you all a safe and relaxing end of year break.

School recommences for students on Monday 22 January 2024 and there will be an opportunity to meet your child’s class teacher and view their classroom on Wednesday 17 January 2024, more details will be sent to you via a SchoolZine newsflash. Please see below the 2024 School calendar including finish dates for 2024, which is a slightly longer school year than usual.

2024_school_calendar.pdf

If you are passing our school on the vacation break, please report any unusual activity to School Watch on 13 17 88.

Deputy Principal’s Update (Junior Secondary)

Celebrating the Unforgettable Moments of 2023 at Aspley Special School

As we turn the pages of the yearbook to reflect on the unforgettable moments that made 2023 an extraordinary year, we are reminded of the incredible journey we embarked on together at Aspley Special School. This year was filled with achievements, memories and remarkable students.

Remarkable senior leaders

Our school was blessed to start 2023 with 20 Year 12 school leaders including two School Captains to guide us through 2023. Mitchell and Krisheel, our School Captains, set an example for all students with their dedication, passion, and commitment to the school. Krisheel’s weekly Acknowledgement of County was delivered each week at assembly and his ability to welcome every new face with a friendly smile, making them feel right at home in our school community will be missed. Mitchell was a great example to others for demonstrating dedication and hardwork through completing multiple work placements, showcasing his strong work ethic and determination to excel.

School review

We started 2023 with a comprehensive school review by external stakeholders. It was a time of reflection and improvement, where our teachers, staff, and students worked together to showcase the amazing learning environment Aspley Special School has to offer. The review highlighted our strengths and areas for growth, setting the stage for positive changes throughout the year.

Opening of the first two-storey building

A monumental moment in our school's history occurred with the official opening, with Education Minister, Grace Grace, for our first-ever two-storey building. This state-of-the-art facility, complete with modern classrooms, outdoor learning areas and accessible spaces, symbolises our commitment to providing the best education to all students. It was a momentous step forward for our school.

School facilities upgrades

This year has also been marked by exciting transformations in our school's facilities, enhancing the overall experience for all students. The addition of two new playgrounds stands out as a highlight, providing vibrant spaces for recreation and play. Among the notable features are the in-ground trampoline, offering an exhilarating twist to traditional play, and the increased number of swings and climbing equipment that cater to a variety of interests and abilities. Inside the sensory gym, students can now embark on sensory adventures with a climbing wall and zipline, fostering physical development and fun-filled challenges. For those seeking a quieter escape, the introduction of reading hammocks provides a cozy and serene spot for literacy exploration. Moreover, our commitment to nature has grown with the expansion of the orchard and gardens, encouraging environmental awareness and hands-on learning. These facility upgrades reflect our dedication to creating an enriched and diverse environment for every student to thrive and create lasting memories.

Remembering Linda

Our school community was deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow student, Linda. Her presence is greatly missed, and we came together to support her family, friends and each other during this difficult time. Linda's spirit will always remain a part of our school, and the buddy bench dedicated to her will continue to remind us of the importance of friendship.

The usual annual highlights

Every year, we look forward to several exceptional events that never fail to disappoint.
The 2023 National Simultaneous Story Time brought us the Speedy Slot, a thrilling adventure that united the entire school in the joy of reading.
Our annual sports day was dominated by Moobunga, showcasing their remarkable athletic prowess.
The vibrant and creative Book Week activities kept us engaged and entertained throughout the week.
One of the fun and enjoyable moments of the year was our Dancing for Sick Kids fundraiser. Thanks to Conan for leading the students, staff and community members together with his amazing dance moves to raise funds, and show support for children in need. The event displayed our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others, while we boogied in style.
The Year 12 Graduation is always a bittersweet occasion as we bid farewell to our graduating seniors. Their years of hard work and dedication were celebrated as the exited the school through our school tradition of our student tunnel.
Awards Day was a moment to recognise outstanding accomplishments and talents among our students, showcasing the extraordinary abilities within our school community. We also announced the 2024 School and House Captains:
School Captains
• Lily R
• Robert A
• Andrei W
• Jimmy B
Spinapoonia House Captains
• Tate M
• Liam N
Moobunga House Captains
• Oscar O
• Lily H
Warrnyland House Captains
• Phoebe H
• Tom G

In celebration of our school turning 50, we hosted our first-ever fete. It was a day filled with joy, laughter and nostalgia as we looked back on the incredible journey of Aspley Special School. The fete symbolised not just our past, but our promising future and was an amazing community event.

As we conclude the pages of this yearbook, we cannot help but feel immense gratitude for the moments that made 2023 unforgettable. The spirit of our school community, the accomplishments of our students, and the dedication of our staff all combined to create an amazing year.
Let us carry the lessons, memories and achievements of 2023 into our future, confident that the best is yet to come!

Kind regards
Kath McDonald
Principal (T, Th)
Deputy Principal: Junior Secondary (M, W, Fr)

Deputy Principal’s Update (Senior Secondary)

Dear Aspley Special School Community,

As we approach the end of another enriching academic year, it's a time for both fond farewells and exciting new beginnings. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to our Year 12 students, who as I write, are stepping into a world of fresh opportunities and adventures.

To our remarkable 2023 Year 12 cohort: you have been the vibrant heartbeat of our school community, showcasing resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As you prepare to spread your wings and embrace new horizons, remember that your time at Aspley Special School has left an indelible mark on us all. We've watched you grow, learn, and inspire those around you, and we have no doubt that you'll continue to shine brightly wherever your paths may lead.

Out with the old and in with the new—this transition not only marks the departure of our graduating seniors but also heralds the arrival of exciting prospects for our younger students. Over the last few weeks, Year 9 teachers, Dom, Vanessa, Trish and myself have held insightful Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) meetings with our Year 9 students and their parents. These sessions are invaluable, as they are an excellent way to get our year 9 students ready for their senior school years. It's been a joy to share their enthusiasm, aspirations, dreams and readiness to embrace the challenges and triumphs that senior school will bring.

The future holds endless promise for our Year 9 students, and with the guidance and support of our dedicated staff, parents, and the wider school community, I'm confident they will navigate this journey with courage and determination.
As we bid adieu to this academic year, I extend warm wishes to all parents, guardians, and our school community for a safe and joyful summer holiday. It's a time to recharge, cherish special moments with loved ones, and reflect on the achievements and lessons of the past year.

May this holiday season bring you moments of peace, laughter, and rejuvenation as we look forward to returning refreshed and invigorated for the exciting adventures that the new year will bring. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to making Aspley Special School a nurturing and thriving community for our students. Your involvement is pivotal in shaping the future of our aspiring individuals.
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable summer break!
Warm regards,
Jayson Gilbert
Deputy Principal (Senior School)
Aspley Special School

Head of Department: Curriculum Update

Junior Secondary

Hi Everyone

Wow, our last newsletter and not long to go before the end of term.
It has been a wonderful year for our Junior Secondary team of students and staff.
Our staff have demonstrated collaboration and shared responsibility with their planning, their communication with each and their focus on improving their teaching practices. They have planned individualised learning opportunities with a focus on engagement, learning and personal growth for each student. We are so fortunate to have these amazing teachers!

In the following week, we will see our Year 9 students prepare for transition to Year 10. Staff take these transitions seriously with the sharing of information which is passed onto the 2024 teachers. Literacy and numeracy data is shared so that teachers are ready with each student’s next step in learning, behaviour support plans and information about engagement, ready to learn behaviours and regulation strategies are also passed on. Our student’s communication focus and general student profile information is also shared so that students transition and continue to move forward. Students visit their new classrooms and teachers where possible and hopefully build excitement and comfort around their next year of learning at Aspley special School.

We have already welcomed our new 2024 student cohort and they too have visited Aspley Special School to become familiar with new faces, new surroundings and new learning programs. These visits, along with shared data, are extremely important as we form new classes and prepare for a seamless transition. Thank you to all schools and our teachers for supporting these very important transitions.

Each year teachers order the specific classroom requisites needed by their students for the year. At the beginning of the year students have access to the items they will need for the different programs they participate in.

Report Cards

Next week you will receive your child’s report card which celebrates the great learning that has occurred with their communication, personal and social capabilities and the learning areas across the Australian Curriculum. All of our students have shown achievements and have shown perseverance to make gains and we are proud of each and everyone of them. Thank you everyone for doing your best!
I hope you enjoy looking at the photos, the learning, fun and engagement had.

Trish Nash
Head of Department - Curriculum | Junior Secondary

Senior Secondary

Junior School Moderation

This term the Junior Secondary team engaged in moderation practices. The moderation process is integral to ensuring consistency and fairness in assessing students’ achievements across classes. It is a collaborative effort among educators to validate and adjust assessments, ensuring alignment with the Australia Curriculum standards. The aim is to maintain a high level of education quality and fairness in evaluating students’ progress. Thank you to our Junior Secondary teachers who are the architects to our student’s academic journey. Our teacher’s dedication does not go unnoticed, and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the incredible work our teachers do day-in-day-out.
As parents, we appreciate your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. Together, we can ensure a positive and enriching learning experience for your child.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Month

October was AAC awareness month and in acknowledgement of the occasion, we invited our staff to 'Wear their words". Communication devices, systems, strategies and tools that replace or support natural speech, are known as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). These tools support a person who has difficulties communicating using speech and help to break down the communication barrier therefore empowering people to participate in daily life with family, friends and the community.

We are fortunate to have the support from various businesses and organisations that work with us to provide our students with real-life work experience opportunities or post school options. These opportunities provide an environment for our students to work on tasks that form part of the Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) during their senior secondary school years with us.
Earlier this term we took the opportunity to recognise and say, thank you, to these wonderful businesses and organisations by inviting them to our assembly presentation, followed by a V.I.P morning tea served by our Year 10 hospitality students.
The following businesses and organisations have provided work experience opportunities this year for our students:
• Holt Bolt
• All Ability Garage
• Crepe Café
• Wholesome Blends
• East Coast Apprenticeships
• HART Sport
• Endeavour Foundation
• Geebung Zillmere RSL
• InStitchu
• Zillmere Community Centre
• Soul Op Shop and Espresso
• Bracken Ridge TAFE
• Kumbartcho Nursery and Sanctuary
• Northside Produce
• Brendale Body Works
• Geebung Special School tuckshop

Thank you for opening your doors and resources to help make a difference in the lives of our students.

The benefits that our students gain from participating in the work experience program include things like:
- Building a sense of independence.
- Increasing self-esteem and confidence.
- Understanding the work environment and what employers expect of their workers.
- Demonstrating to a potential employer what tasks they are capable of doing.

The Work Experience program is an impacting and rewarding endeavour for both the business and the student, so if you are a local business and are interested in collaborating with us to be part of our Work Experience program, please speak with our Head of Department Senior Secondary Curriculum (& A/Deputy Principal), Vanessa Hill, by email at vhill14@eq.edu.au or phone 3867 2333 during school hours.

Deputy Principal | Junior Secondary (Tue Thur)

Year 9 Planning Alternate Tomorrows with Hope (PATH)

A PATH plan is a powerful tool that allows students with support of their families to map our goals, dreams, aspirations and create a clear path towards achieving them. In the remaining weeks of the school year, the leadership team have been meeting with Year 9 students to embark on planning towards their journey in the upper years of high school and beyond.

At our school we offer some students the opportunity to complete Certificate 1 courses in Agriculture, Active Volunteering and Hospitality. Students and staff usually identify these pathways for students in the PATH meeting depending on students curriculum access level, areas of interests and learning goals. A requirement to complete these courses is for students to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) number. Follow the link below if your student requires a USI for next year.

Get a USI

Senior School Moderation

Senior teachers have recently completed our moderation processes to ensure the validity and accuracy of reporting. Moderation is a crucial step in maininting consistency in assessing student work across different classrooms and teachers. It involves a collaborative effort amoung our dedicated staff to review and discuss students evidence. By engaging in this process, we can provide you with accurate and reliable reports that reflect your child's progress and achievements. I believe that this transparency and accountability are essential in fostering a strong partnership between school and home. We are committed to continuously improving our reporting practices to provide meaningful and informative feedback. Thank you for your ongoing support and trust in our school.

Dominique McConnell
Head of Department - Curriculum | Senior Secondary (Tue Wed Thurs)
Teacher | Coaching and Mentoring (Mon Fri)

Student Achievement

Our recent ‘Student of the Week’ winners…

Student	Nominated For
Gabriel	Tackling all educational challenges with perseverance and optimism.
Nataliah	Consistently making good choices by using gentle hands.
Cameron	Making safe choices moving around the school and staying with his class.
Jackson	Using strategies to recover quickly and to adapt in the face of challenging circumstances.
Ella	Consistently listening and following school rules in class

Our recent ‘Learner of the Week’ winners…

Student	Nominated For
William R	Being an enthusiastic participant in music lessons.
Noah	Being attentive in class especially during Mathematic lessons.
Quentin	Showing a great enthusiasm when talking and writing about his weekends.
Joseph R	Responding to questions during our reading time and sharing his understandings with the class.
Ellie	Approaching all class tasks with motivation and dedication.

Classroom Updates

Junior Class- J4

I can’t believe I am writing this article for the final newsletter of the year- where has this year gone?! Junior 4 started the year off with some familiar faces; William and Harvey, and were privileged to introduce Ted and Kaylah as they transitioned into high school. I’m excited to share with you all, a little insight into what myself and the Junior 4 gang have been up to this year so far.

As the year has progressed, it has been amazing to see so many friendships and connections blossom within our class. Not only that, we have created some bonds with the staff and students of Junior 3 and other learners in the school community. Harvey, Ted, William and Kaylah are definitely social butterflies and purposefully seek out social interactions with their peers. Some of our favourite activities to do together include listening to music, playing on the playgrounds, engaging in shared ICT games, morning circle and even just relaxing with a buddy.

I believe providing our learners with fun-filled social activities throughout the year, has supported their confidence to develop these connections and friendships. We work very closely with our friends in Junior 3 and have participated in many exciting events with them. Some of which include, Barbie and Ken dress up day, Sport’s Day, visiting the Frothee Coffee Shoppee, outing to Tiddlywinks play centre, the movies and visiting local parks. When visiting these places that are off-site, we are able to learn about being a responsible member of the community, whilst aligning with our school-wide PBL approach.

In light of AAC awareness month, I want to celebrate the successes we have had in Junior 4 with using a variety of communication modes. Each learner has their own personal communication goals and a preferred system that they utilise. We still continue to use PODD, but we also use PECS, ASL boards, switches, Proloquo2Go, key-word sign and visuals.

Overall, Junior 4 have had an awesome year full of fun, laughs, friendship and growth. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being their teacher so far and look forward to the remainder of the year together!

Hospitality

I’d like to start by saying thank you to so many of you for supporting our tuckshop. We have had another busy and successful year that has raced along. Now all of our thoughts are turning to 2024 and how we can improve it even further. We have had a crew of Year 11 students in the kitchen with us all year and the rate of progress in their food preparation skills and growth in individual self confidence has impressed me greatly.

This year we made a conscious decision to increase the amount of menu items that are made fresh on site each Tuesday.

Did you know…
• We make our own pizza dough on site each week for all of our pizza bases
• We receive 3 large boxes of donated fruit from Morco that we juice each Tuesday morning
• 3 oranges go into each cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
• The Garden Team grows ginger that we add to our Orange, Carrot and Ginger juice
• We roast the chickens on site each week that we add to our wraps and salads
• The frittata special we served in Semester 2 was made entirely from produce from the school garden

Next year we are adding some hot dishes to our menu too. Look out for Pesto Pasta and a Chicken Fajita Bowl in Term 1. We’re also adding a different seasonal salad bowl, each term, that will reflect the produce available to us from the schools kitchen garden.

I’m really keen to ensure that any student who wants to order food from our tuckshop feels able to do so. We offer dairy free cheese, dips, milks as well as GF bread and wraps and we are able to adapt menu items to suit most dietary needs. Please don’t be discouraged from ordering because you are unsure about our ingredients; contact me via tuckshop@aspleyspecs.eq.edu.au to discuss individual cases.

The Coffee Shop is a busy bustling place on a Tuesday morning and it’s a fantastic program to be a part of. It is my favourite day of the week at Aspley Special School.

Have a relaxing and refreshing summer holiday.
Debby Sewter

Senior Class- S10

Students in S10 have been working really hard this semester. Apart from Maths and English, we have focused on our communication skills, reflecting and making learning relevant to our everyday lives. Classroom learning was influenced by our students’ interests.
In Maths, we learnt about units of time and for English we worked on our comprehension and predicting skills. We used a variety of hands-on learning resources like sticks and stones to make a clock. We collaborated, communicated and worked together to achieve our shared goals. This helped give us a well-rounded understanding of what we were learning. We even used our school guinea pigs- Pip, Dot and Penny to help with our predicting skills. What would happen if Pip, Dot and Penny got out of their cage? Students had some really fantastic and original ideas!

We used our AAC devices and clear strong voices to communicate our ideas, express our thoughts and ideas. Improving our communication skills not only enhanced our learning but it also helped with our overall well-being. Students could better communicate their feelings, concerns and needs to others. Students have also learnt various skills in Hospitality, Horticulture and Active Volunteering. This gave them an opportunity to interact with different people and practice their communication and problem-solving skills.

One of our goals has been to improve our physical activity and fundamental movement skills. Sports Day and Golf Day was a huge success! Students have also loved swimming! We have been keeping an Exercise Log and Swimming Journal to help us understand how physical activity and movement is beneficial to us. Movement breaks during our learning also helped our brains recharge and refocus.

We have learnt so much from each other this year!
From everyone at S10, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. To my students going into Year 11, you will be amazing in everything you do.

Junior Class -J10

What an amazing and busy year we’ve had in J10! It was jam packed with lots of fun, laughter, friendship and plenty of learning.
Some of our favourite activities this semester have been CBI, sports day, book week, NAIDOC week, performing with the choir at the Pine Rivers Show and Geebung RSL, exploring the new playgrounds at school, cooking, learning key word signing with our key word sign ambassador, Ash, visiting the guinea pigs and chickens, bike riding, school fete and meeting and chatting with our Minister for Education, Grace Grace.
Our favourite CBI outing was visiting Daisy Hill Koala centre. We saw 3 koalas, some of us had never seen a real life koala before. We asked lots of questions and learnt that koalas can swim (they paddle like dogs), they have 2 thumbs which help them to climb trees and they don’t drink water (they get their water from the leaves they eat).

We also enjoyed visiting various parks. Visiting parks linked to our learning in HPE. We learnt how to order and pay for our own lunch while out on CBI as well.

I am extremely proud of all students in J10 who worked so hard to follow the Rule of 5, support and encourage each other and interact with kindness.

I wish you all a very happy, safe and relaxing holiday and most of all, a wonderful Christmas.

Eveline

Senior Class -S2

As S2 students, Krisheel, Tahlia, Hannah, Safiya, Andrew, Quentin and Nick, are finishing their educational journey in Year 12, they stand at the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. This significant milestone marks the completion of their high school education, a period characterised by growth, learning, and self-discovery. These young adults have navigated a diverse academic curriculum, faced challenging times, and developed a multitude of skills and interests. As they prepare to make a new step in life, they carry with them not only the life skills they've acquired but also a sense of strength, determination, and a connection with their peers. The S2 students are on the brink of embarking on various paths, whether it be vocational training, entering the workforce, or other options. Their potential to shape the future is boundless.

A diverse range of work experiences was organised for S2 students, to further develop diverse range of work skill beyond the classroom and to enable individual personal growth for each student. Through volunteering and taking on various jobs both within and outside the school, they perfected their ability to follow instructions, staying on task, and maintaining focus. These real-world experiences not only expanded their horizons but also cultivated essential life skills that will serve them well in their future endeavours. Whether it was contributing to school activities, volunteering for local businesses, or partaking in on-campus work experiences, the students learned the value of responsibility, time management, and adaptability. Their involvement in these experiences shows their readiness to acquire education that includes practical life skills, setting them on a path towards a happy future.

All S2 students enthusiastically engaged in a range of activities to support their school community. They participated in fundraisers for Schoolies Day, a significant occasion marking the end of their high school journey, to ensure that their Year 12 peers could celebrate in style. Additionally, they attended the Currimundi camp, where they were fostering a sense of friendship and adventure that would create lasting memories. Recent Aspley Special School Fete gave students an opportunity to participate in vibrant gathering, making it a successful community event, providing entertainment, food, and fun for all. Students are waiting for the formal with high anticipation to celebrate the end of schooling with their families and in style and excitement.To Krisheel, Tahlia, Hannah, Safiya, Andrew, Quentin and Nick and all the Year 12 students, I wish all the best in their future journeys!

Dear Aspley Special School Community,

Kind Regards,

Chris Smith – PBL Internal Coach

Cricket Blast Program

This Term, students were lucky enough to participate in a free lunchtime cricket program called ‘Cricket Blast’ which was offered and run by Queensland Cricket! The program ran for 30 minutes during lunchtime outside play every Tuesday for 4 weeks. Weeks 1-3 students did cricket skills work which laid the foundation and prepared them for Week 4’s cricket game!

Aspley Special School is incredibly grateful to Queensland Cricket for supplying our students this opportunity.

Frothee Coffee Shoppee

The ‘Frothee Coffee Shoppee’ is a fantastic training program for students with a disability from our school and our local region. With delicious coffee, delightful food and amazing customer service, a visit to our coffee shop is an insightful and enjoyable experience. We are grateful for all of the community support that we receive in order to make this program a success.

If you would like to attend the ‘Frothee Coffee Shoppee’, please be aware that bookings through our office are essential. The Coffee Shop seats a maximum of 30 customers per sitting so the earlier you book, the better. There are two sittings for the Coffee Shop at 10am and 11am. Unfortunately, without a booking, you will not be able to visit as we limit the numbers to enable the students to learn. Please contact the school on 3867 2333 to make your booking. Coffee Shop dates for Term 1 2024 are available for you to plan ahead.

TERM 1 OPENING DATES (Fridays)

February: 16th, 23rd,
March: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd

Student Contact Update

Contact details

There are times when we may need to contact parents and carers. Do we have your most up to date contact details? If not, please contact the school on admin@aspleyspecs.eq.edu.au or 3867 2333 so we can update our records. These details include parent/carers’ name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please remember to contact the school if any of these details change.

Absence notification process

Please remember to call the school on 3867 2333 or email at absent@aspleyspecs.eq.edu.au or SMS 0428 665 712 early in the morning if your child is going to be away or late for school so your child’s absence can be recorded correctly.

Same day notification

Our school will contact parents as soon as practicable on the day if a student is not at school and we don’t know why. If you are advised by the school that your child is away without a reason, please contact us as soon as possible by phoning 3867 2333 or email at absent@aspleyspecs.eq.edu.au or SMS 0428 665 712 to let us know where your child is. We will follow-up with parents if no response is received.

Autism Queensland's 2023 Recognition Awards

Congratulations to Year 12 student Jack who has been selected as a finalist in the Individual Category of Autism Queensland's 2023 Recognition Awards. Jack will attend an afternoon tea event hosted by Her Excellency the Honorourable Dr Jeannette Yound AC and award winners will be announced during this event. We wish Jack all the best and we are very proud of him being nominated for this award.

SWARA School Hoilday Program

swara_Dec_Jan_School_Holiday_Program.pdf

FAQs_Activity_Costs_Dec_SHP_2023_1_.pdf

Flashing traffic lights

In the upcoming weeks, flashing light school zone signs will be installed on Dorville Road school zone. Aspley Special School has been nominated to receive these new signs as part of a Queensland Government commitment to improve school road safety.

You will notice that the new signs look similar to standard school zone signs with the addition of a red flashing ring around the speed limit as well as two flashing yellow lights at the top of the sign. The installation of flashing light school zone signs is proven to improve visibility of school zones, serving as an active reminder for motorists to slow down.

In the new year when you’re dropping off or picking up your child, keep an eye out for the new signs and make sure you stick to the signed speed limit.

Ozcare Catch-up Vaccination Clinics

If your child missed their Year 7 or Year 10 vaccination/s this year, Ozcare will be conducting a catch-up clinic over the Christmas holiday period. Please see below for information:

Address: Ozcare, Brisbane North Branch, 113 Kittyhawk Drive, Chermside, Qld, 4032

Dates/Times: Wednesday 13 December 2023 – 10.00am – 2.00pm

Please note, these clinics are only open to students who are currently in Year 7 or Year 10 and have missed their vaccination/s earlier this year.

If you wish your student to be vaccinated at one of these clinics, please complete the applicable consent form below, and return direct to Ozcare at sip.brisbane@ozcare.org.au Bookings can be made by contacting us on 3624 0500.

If you are uncertain if your child has been vaccinated, please check the Australian Immunisation Register before completing a new consent form. For further information regarding the School Immunisation Program, please click here.

Should you require any further information, please contact Ozcare direct at sip.brisbane@ozcare.org.au or 3624 0500.

2023_Year_7_Consent_Form.pdf

2023_Year_10_Consent_Form.pdf

Date
31 March 2023	End of Term 1
17 April 2023	Start of Term 2
23 June 2023	End of Term 2
10 July 2023	Start of Term 3
15 September 2023	End of Term 3
3 October 2023	Start of Term 4
17 November 2023	Year 12s Finish
24 November 2023	Year 10 & 11 Finish
8 December 2023	End of Term 4

PDF Details

Newsletter Sponsors

1 December 2023