January/February 2025
- Message from the Principal
- Message from the Deputy Principal
- Message from Administration team
- Lower Primary 1 - Mrs Ward
- Lower Primary 2 - Mr Shaun
- Lower Primary 3 - Miss Helen
- Lower Primary 4 - Miss Michelle
- Upper Primary 1 - Miss Sharon
- Upper Primary 2 - Miss Hannah
- Upper Primary 3 - Mr Mark
- Upper Primary 4 - Ms Michelle
- Junior Secondary 1 - Mr Mike
- Junior Secondary 2 - Miss Pauline
- Junior Secondary 3 - Miss C
- Junior Secondary 4 - Miss Susan
- Senior Secondary 1 - Miss Sally
- Senior Secondary 2 - Mrs Leeson
- From the AAC/Communication Lead Support - Mrs Buckle
- News from the P&C committee
- News from the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) committee
- Community News
Message from the Principal
Welcome all to our 2025 school year. What a great first 4 weeks we had. It was so good seeing all of our returning students and families on day one and was also exciting to see so many new families and students joining Rosella Park School. I am sure everyone had an amazing holiday break and enjoyed their time away. What was great to see was how well everyone returned ready to go.
Welcome to our new families and students who have begun schooling at Rosella Park. We look forward to working with you and supporting your child to maximise every day at school. To our returning families and students, welcome back. Well done to all of the students and our families for the positive start to the year. It is extremely pleasing to see our attendance data to date is the best it has been for many years. We are going to keep focusing on that this year – 2024 we saw our attendance maintain 82% for the entire year, this year we are wanting to improve that 82% so that we sit at 85% attendance across all of 2025.
So, to all of our families, just a friendly reminder if your child is unwell and is staying away from school, can you make sure you ring in and let us know. Additionally, if your child attends school by transport (bus / taxi) you also need to let the transport company know that pick up is not required that day. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of our Admin staff.
Last week, our supportive P&C committee met and had our first 2025 meeting. To all of our parents and carers, we will be sending home correspondence in the coming weeks encouraging you to join the P&C this year. Next month we will hold our P&C AGM – all families are encouraged and welcome to attend. The P&C will be organising their annual Easter Raffles this term, so if any families want to make a donation of Easter items, they would be greatly appreciated. These can come in through the front office, we will then ensure the P&C team get all donations.
On Friday, we welcomed Deano Yipadee back again. Deano has been to us for quite a few visits over the last few years. He makes reading and storytelling come alive with fun and games. His visit last Friday did not disappoint and everyone had a great time during his sessions.
Over the coming weeks, teachers will be and are already in the process of contacting families to discuss Individual Curriculum Plans (ICPs) and student goals. It is a good time to remind families that the preferred methods of communication with the school is by face-to-face meetings (please ring and schedule), email, school telephone (4976 8333) and messages via class dojo.
Until our next newsletter, please take care and we look forward to working with you to maximise each day your child attends school.
Message from the Deputy Principal
Welcome back to another exciting school year! As we step into this new chapter together, I want to acknowledge the dedication and passion each of you brings to our school community. Our shared commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for our students is what makes Rosella such a special place. This year, we will continue to build on our successes, embrace new opportunities, and work together to ensure every student is supported to reach their full potential.
Mental health, resilience and wellbeing remain at the heart of everything we do as reflected again in our Annual implementation Plan. As educators, we know that caring for our own wellbeing enables us to be the best support for our students. Prioritising self-care, seeking support when needed, and fostering a culture of understanding will help us navigate the challenges and triumphs of the year ahead. Together, we can model resilience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation—essential skills that empower both staff and students to thrive.
Our school community is our greatest strength. Strong connections with colleagues, students, and families create a foundation of trust, support, and collaboration. This year let’s continue to foster a culture where everyone feels valued and included. Through teamwork, open communication, and a shared vision, we can make 2025 a year of growth, positivity, and success for all. I look forward to working alongside you and making this a fantastic year together!
As always, my door is open. Please come and have a chat.
Warmest regards,
Dom
Message from Administration team
Welcome to the new school year; we particularly welcome our new Prep students and families to the school. Our Student Resource Scheme is continuing for this year. For our new students however, we are still finalising details around the changes being implemented by the Department of Education and will send these forms out as soon as they have been approved.
What is a Student Resource Scheme ?
The Student Resource Scheme (SRS) is a user‐charging scheme operated by schools to provide parents/carers with a mechanism to access individual student resources that are not funded by the government. It is for students in Prep to Year 12 and is invoiced by the school.
The objective of the scheme is to provide parents/carers a convenient and cost‐effective alternative to individual supply of resources for their students. Participation in the SRS is optional, and no obligation is placed on a parent/carer to participate. However, Parents and carers will need to provide these resources themselves if they choose not to participate in the SRS.
Participation in the SRS normally occurs when a participation agreement formExternal link is completed. Parents and carers can opt in or opt out of the SRS at a later time. Please talk to your school’s business manager for details.
Notification of absences by Parents
If your child is absent from school for any reason e.g. appointment, illness, holiday, etc .... please ring the school absentee line and leave a message regarding the absence. This will avoid receiving an absentee text message for an unexplained absence.
School hours and absence notifications
Our school day commences at 8:45 am and it would be advantageous if all students could arrive on time to minimise disruption to the classrooms. The school day finishes at 2:45 pm. Any person picking up your child other than the parent must present to the office to sign your child out and show identification. Also, it would be appreciated if parents could advise the school of any change to the pick-up routine of your child either by using the communication diary or contacting the school office on 49768333. These precautions are in place for the protection of our students.
Year 7 and Year 10 student School Immunisation Programme
The Queensland School Immunisation Programme (SIP) is facilitated by Queensland Health in conjunction with all schools. The participation in SIP is voluntary and requires the parent/carer to fill in and return the consent card provided to eligible students. If you choose to not participate, please return the consent card ensuring you have filled in the NO to vaccination.
If you would like any further information on these vaccines and why they are offered, please visit Queensland Health's immunisation website: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/adolescents
Lower Primary 1 - Mrs Ward
Welcome to Lower Primary 1
I would like to welcome Jacob, Khyden, O’Shea and Sebastian to the class. This year we have three teachers working with the students. Myself, Katrina Ward (Class Teacher Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri), Caroline Harris (Class Teacher - Wed) and Annette Wrack our non-contact teacher (NCT) teaching Technology in the classroom twice a week.
It has been a bit of a rough start with students learning social skills to share and play with others. With a great deal of support and modelling, the students are trying very hard to be respectful, positive and safe both in and out of the classroom.
With the focus on literacy, numeracy and individualised self-awareness goals, the students will explore a variety of curriculum areas. Through play-based learning and explicit teaching moments they will have the opportunity to engage in the subjects of english, mathematics, science, history, geography, and technologies.
I strongly believe that communication is important to your child’s growth and education so it is vital that we to establish a communication channel between us. I encourage you to check the communication book on a daily basis and although I do not expect a daily reply to my messages, I would appreciate it if you could initial the appropriate box so I know that you’ve read the message. Although I appreciate the Dojo messages to let me know that your child will be late or away, it is important to follow the procedure and contact the administration office as well as there are times I may not be available.
If you wish to meet with me to discuss your child’s progress, view their work or discuss sensitive matters please let me know through the communication book, contact me on the school number 49768333 or via email kward91@eq.edu.au
Lower Primary 2 - Mr Shaun
Wow! week 4 already! The students of Lower Primary 2 are settling well into the new classroom routine and students are eager and excited to learn new skills. I look forward to the year ahead and new learning experiences.
English we will be exploring retelling key details or points from a learning experience or text viewed or heard and writes or types some letters or words correctly. In Math we will be exploring simple patterns using shapes and objects. Our teacher aides this year are Miss Ashley, Miss Tracey and Miss Emma.
All the best Mr Shaun LP2
Lower Primary 3 - Miss Helen
Welcome to a new school year. The students in Lower Primary 3 have all settled in well, and we have also welcomed two new students to join us. Our focus this year is on Literacy and communication. We have been exploring activities that incorporate sensory and manipulative objects and play, that support our individual learning needs. We are given lots of experience using our preferred communication devices to communicate and convey ideas when engaging in the curriculum.
LP 3
Lower Primary 4 - Miss Michelle
Hello and welcome to a new school year. The students in LP4 have enthusiastically explored their new surroundings and happily settled into classroom routines. Class members enjoyed viewing the story book ‘Old Macdonald had a Farm’ and particularly liked exploring with the toy animals and the switch which had pre-recorded animal sounds on it. Exploring with musical instruments, playdough, bubbles and the sand and water trays have been fun experiences and a great way for us to get to know each other. Of an afternoon, as a class, we have transitioned to different areas of the school including the library, soft fall room and Adventureland. Students happily participated in activities whilst in these areas and we are keen to continue exploring different parts of the school throughout the semester.
This year LP4 are very lucky to have the wonderful Rennae, Nadine and Julie as their teacher aides. We are looking forward to a fantastic, fun filled year of learning and exploring and will keep you posted on our learning adventures as the year progresses.
Thanks Miss Michelle
Upper Primary 1 - Miss Sharon
It has been a busy start to 2025, settling into our new class. Through support and modelling, we are trying very hard to teach the students to be respectful, positive and safe both in and out of the classroom. On Valentines Day, we started our cooking program by making heart shaped lemonade scones. They got the thumbs up from Lennox and another student!
I strongly believe that communication is important to your child’s growth and education, so it is vital that we to establish a communication channel between us. I encourage you to check the communication book on a daily basis and although I do not expect a daily reply to my messages, I would appreciate it if you could initial the appropriate box so I know that you’ve read the message. You can also contact me through the school number and leave a message, which I will return as soon as I am able, or use the DOJO app.
UP 1
Upper Primary 2 - Miss Hannah
Welcome to 2025!
For those parents I’m still yet to meet, my name is Hannah Avis and I am the Class teacher in Upper Primary 2 this year. I am very excited for the year ahead and am pleased to report that all students in UP 2 have settled in well. The students have hit the ground running this term and are already well underway exploring the topics set out for this semester. Space, Planet Earth, Shapes and Phonics activities seem to already be exciting the students. During Literacy sessions, students will explore letter sounds through sensory and food-based activities. As the hot weather continues, can I please remind you all to ensure that your child is coming to school with a water bottle daily.
Important note: Can you please advise me as soon as possible if your child has any intolerances or food/sensory aversions that I need to be made aware of.
I look forward to meeting you all as the term progresses and please feel free to reach out at any time if you have questions or would like to organise a meeting with me.
Upper Primary 3 - Mr Mark
Upper Primary 3 have had a great start to the year. We are enjoying learning about the sounds that different letters make and learning about different 2D and 3D shapes. On Fridays we are doing a cooking program which also helps us with our number and measurement skills. For Science we are looking at the environment and the effect our environment has on us and other species. We are looking forward to a great year and learning lots.
Upper Primary 4 - Ms Michelle
Welcome to 2025! We have had a fantastic start to the year. Students have spent the first part of the year bonding as a group and exploring the topics for this semester. Individual goals have been selected and from week 5 I should be ready to meet with parents to discuss these goals. In literacy this semester, we will be exploring connections between texts and students’ personal experiences. Students will be also using beginning writing behaviours. In Maths we will be looking at shape and directional language. In Hass students describe the features of familiar places and recognise why some places are special to people and to also identify important events in their lives. My favourite, Science where we will be exploring weather, natural disasters and how these affect us. I have some great experiments planned for earthquakes, Tsunamis and cyclones. The best experiments are the messiest. Fridays are fun days with cooking in the morning and art in the afternoon.
Junior Secondary 1 - Mr Mike
A very warm welcome to the first term of 2025 to all parents, carers and friends of Junior Secondary 1 students. I have very much enjoyed getting to know my new class and I believe we have made an excellent start to our studies.
My name is Mike Pallett and I have been a teacher since 1991. I spent 29 years in mainstream education teaching (mainly) History before I joined Rosella Park School as a relief teacher in October 2020. My first class was in Intermediates (now Upper Primary) in the second semester of 2021. I worked for two years with the Transition (Senior Secondary) students. Since the start of 2024, I have worked with the Junior Secondary (previously Senior) cohort.
Our Literacy Programme this semester is focused on being able to recall events from texts and being able to interact with others in an appropriate manner. In Maths, we are focusing on location and direction and sorting 2D and 3D shapes.
Our Science curriculum is based on the impact of the movement of the Earth on our environment, whilst in HASS we are developing our mapping skills and our ability to describe events from the past.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns, either by using email, ClassDojo or by phoning the school.
Junior Secondary 2 - Miss Pauline
The students in JS 2 have had a wonderful start to the year. I asked them what have they enjoyed most about school so far this year, and this is what they said:
Beni enjoys puzzles and lunch time
Tyriq – I like my teacher, my Teacher Aide Miss Wendy, my new classroom and playing NRL on Thursdays.
Kiki – I like being in JS 2, being with Tehmarni, singing and dancing
Tehmarni – I like listening to music on Help Kids Learn, doing work and Geography
Laithe - I like my teacher and students in this class, lunch times and drawing in free time
Mica used his PODD book to say - I like lunch time and looking at fans
Junior Secondary 3 - Miss C
Welcome to JS3!
It has been a pleasure working with your students for the past 4 weeks. In English we have been learning symbols and learning how to read and understand them in the Community. Additionally, we have been reading stories and practising how to retell a story. In maths we are looking into geometrical shapes and location/directions. It was amazing to see our students present their speeches for student council and for sports captains. We are looking forward to the results! We were so lucky to have celebrated our birthday boy on Friday 14/02/2025. Happy birthday Dang! JS3 should be very proud of their accomplishments.
JS3
Junior Secondary 4 - Miss Susan
The students in Junior Secondary 4, both new and returning to my class, have settled in well. This semester, in addition to Math and English we will be studying Science, History and Geography, as well as Design and Technology. In the Design and Technology subject, the JS 4 students have particularly enjoyed being hands-on and dismantling electrical goods such as a hairdryer. Their particular focus was on wiring of the on / off switches.
We will be continuing our Friday cooking sessions. To date, the students have made Loaded Baked Potatoes, two delicious batches of scones, one for themselves and one for the Junior Secondary Teachers on their planning day. They baked Miss Lin a yummy Sour Cream and Apple slice to celebrate her birthday and our birthday boy Riley, was treated to Vanilla Butter Cake by his classmates.
Senior Secondary 1 - Miss Sally
Welcome to Senior Secondary 1. What a massive start to the year we have had. Everyone is settling in well and we are well underway with our new programs. Our vocational subjects are early favourites, with students organising and setting up the tuckshop for the year. This program is run like a business and will involve weekly planning, budgeting, preparing and delivering of tuckshop orders. The first tuckshop menu has just been sent home to all families and we are ready for the orders to start rolling in.
Our recycling business is off to a strong start with all our current businesses continuing on in their support of this program. In addition, we have now gained 3 more business which we will add to our weekly collection schedule. This is a work experience program with students preparing for work, following set routines and building relationships in the community.
As well as our standard Maths and English subjects students will also learn through Active Citizenship about our levels of government, democracy, voting and their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Further to this we will explore Technology in the Community, Fitness, History, HASS and Vocational Training.
We are all set and ready for a great term! If you need to touch base or have any questions at any stage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email, dojo or calling the school.
Miss Sally and Miss Simone
sbrie32@eq.edu.au
SS1
Senior Secondary 2 - Mrs Leeson
We have had a very busy start to the year. All programs are off to a flying start. In fitness classes the students have been busy enjoying their Zumba sessions. They don’t even recognise that they are working out. In Technology in the Community, students have been to the Town Library to check out the many and varied technologies that keep a busy library running smoothly. Technology that includes computers to locate resources, using self-checkout equipment for borrowing books, 3D printer, photocopier and lots more. Students will visit the library again this week to explore some more. In Art students are exploring different materials to produce artwork. We are beginning with crayon, pencils and pens. In Media Art we are investigating ways to take photos. Active Citizenship is all about rules in different settings, including home, school and the community. We began by looking at why we have rules and what life would be like if there were not rules. Life skills sessions are focused on having a well-balanced life which includes, hygiene, healthy eating and exercise, our mental health and living a good fulfilling life. Students have started looking at hygiene and what a good morning and evening routine looks like. Our second Life Skills subject looks at skills we need to help us be independent. These will include household chores, following instructions and set routines and developing some independent work skills. As part of this subject, we have taken on some gardening projects. Our first task will be to transform the front of the school. We look forward to sharing its transformation with you. In Mathematics the students have been doing some tests to work out the best skills for them to focus on developing and are then practicing these skills using technology. It has been very impressive to see some of our students complete their number work independently on laptops; and choose to do more Mathematics over other activities online. Friday afternoons we have been focused on developing our Social Skills and we have played some fun games and have had good discussions using all the communication devices.
Just a reminder (as shared on Dojo) Senior Secondary 2 works with two teachers this year.
Monday and Tuesday – Ms Caroline Harris is on class with Ms Leeson working in the office as the Senior Secondary Support Leader.
Wednesday and Thursday – Mrs Leeson will be on class with Ms Harris working in other areas of the school.
Friday -Mrs Leeson will be on class for session 1 with Ms Harris on class for sessions 2 and 3.
Both Mrs Leeson and Ms Harris are available to answer queries should you need us.
SS2
From the AAC/Communication Lead Support - Mrs Buckle
AAC/Communication Lead Support Person
‘I’ve got something to say’
Welcome back to another exciting year where we (parents/carers and RPS staff) work together to support your child’s communication journey. Research suggests the best practice to increase your child’s use of their AAC communication device is for all the adults in their life to model, model and model interacting with their device.
Model what? You may ask. Model commenting such as:
I like….
I want….
I see….
I feel….
Please select the link below to view how a SLP models commenting on first page of the Proloquo2go (an AssistiveWare product- but the approach can be used for any device). Please remember to send your child’s AAC device to school fully charged and ready to use.
Let’s keep chatting!!
News from the P&C committee
The P&C committee will be conducting their annual Easter raffle. If you can assist with donations, please drop them into the school administration office. Many thanks !
The Annual General Meeting of the P&C is planned to be held in March. More information and the date will be sent home once confirmed.
News from the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) committee
Term 1, Week 5 PBL LESSON is REVISION week
When the committee met on Tuesday, we decided the school will revise week 2 which was:
Only use the 3 forms of good touch - handshake, high 5, tap on the shoulder.
*We want to showcase the awesome work that students and staff are doing around the school to promote PBL! The aim is to display photos of students and staff on the PBL Wall Display in the Admin building performing, learning and practicing the lesson focus of the week. When classes are presenting at parade, I am going to take photos. I would also love for staff to take photos during class time and play times, so we can capture students and staff across the day in different environments. And don’t worry, Leadership and Admin don’t miss out. I am also going to take photos of them! I am hoping our PBL Wall display will be fun and exciting!
*We are introducing – THE PASSING OF THE PBL BATON
Every Monday afternoon at Parade, a PBL Baton will be passed from that week’s performing class to the following week’s performing class. The aim is to provide a physical reminder to the next class that it will be there turn next. The list of 2025 PBL lessons has the class or person responsible for delivering the lesson focus on parade and who they need to pass the baton to.