INCLUSION AT MILTON

It is so very important that we understand just what ‘inclusion’ is all about and why at our school we will not turn students away because they have a disability or some sort of special need. This is an aspect of education that we as a school team are particularly passionate about and will not accept anything less from our school community.  

Our school is a microcosm of the real world, so inclusion of all is the ultimate goal and a step towards creating a gentler, kinder world. A key reminder in all of this is that we are a state school and as such, will have a wide variety of students and open our doors to all who come from within our catchment. The fact that 85% of the students who are of primary school age, living in our catchment attend Milton, is a testament to our inclusivity and reputation.

The greatest gift you can give your children is that of inclusivity. The more they interact with all members of society, the more they will understand about building positive and successful relationships, tolerance and acceptance. Essentially, they will become much better human beings and after all, isn’t that what we want for our children?

My own greatest learning came to me in primary school, where one of my closest friends had a diagnosed disability. My parents never discouraged me from building that friendship, firmly believing that everyone has their place in the world and whilst there were some challenging times within that journey, we are still firm friends to this day. I believe I am a far richer person for having sustained this relationship. He has taught me so much. The other point to really consider is that at any time, any one of our children could present with some sort of learning need or disability. How would you want your child to be treated?  

We believe at Milton that, ‘Equity is who has keys to the room. Diversity is who is in the room. Inclusion is who feels welcome in the room’.

At Milton, we are proud of the work we do to support students with a disability, to ensure that they are able to access education on the same or equal basis as any other student. For this reason, we are dedicated to providing inclusive education (students with impairments working within classrooms). Inclusive education ensures that schools are supportive and engaging places for all school community members. It builds communities that value, celebrate and respond to diversity. It is underpinned by respectful relationships between learners and school community members. It is supported by collaborative relationships with parents and communities through communication, learning partnerships, participation and consultative decision-making.

All Queensland State schools are required to adhere to legislation, which ensures people with disability have access to equal participation in education and society as those without disability. The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) aims to protect and promote the rights of people with disability. The objectives of the DDA are:

• to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against people on the grounds of disability
• to ensure that people with disability have the same rights before the law as the rest of the community
• to promote the principle that people with disability have the same rights as the rest of the community.

Inclusive education means that every day in every classroom, every student is learning and achieving in a safe, supportive, inclusive and disciplined learning environment.

In our school and community we strive to:

• provide high-quality education for all students
• respond constructively to the needs of educationally disadvantaged/marginalised students
• view difference as a resource to support learning
• ensure that all school community members feel safe and free from discrimination, bias and harassment
• promote locally negotiated responses to student, family and community needs through effective community engagement processes and cross-agency collaboration
• ensure that inclusive education practices are embedded in all state schools’ policies and initiatives.

So, what does this really mean for us?

We currently support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Physical Impairment, Down Syndrome, various medical conditions and Speech- Language Impairment. All students are integrated into classrooms and their learning needs factored into learning programs. Many of our students are also supported by our Inclusion Teachers, Differentiation Teachers and teacher aides while in class. We also have students with more ‘hidden’ disabilities including anxiety, specific medical conditions and significant learning difficulties.

We cater for these students by ensuring we have key people, processes and support mechanisms to support their unique needs also. Our Deputy Principals Kylie Dunne and Anita Heinrich (who leads the ACCESS Team) along with Inclusion teachers Tracey Balmanno and Jacki Hodge, Differentiation teachers Georgia Greer & Jenny Gallagher, Guidance Officer Damien Cole, Speech Language Pathologist Katie White and Social Worker Rosa Shephard, coordinate, manage and lead a dedicated team so our students are effectively ‘wrapped around’ (holistically)  to ensure that they are supported academically, socially and emotionally while at school. Their hard work and liaison with other school staff, parents, external organisations and the school Leadership Team, ensures that every child is ‘visible’ and their needs are understood and met, within reasonable expectations and adjustments.

We work exceptionally hard to ensure that we best meet the needs of all our students, utilising school funds and the availability of qualified and specialised staff. We strive hard to employ staff that understand the unique needs of our students with disabilities, support our inclusion philosophy and processes and demonstrate empathy and compassion towards our students with additional needs and their families. As a result, we have staff who are very powerful advocates for our students with disabilities, and develop strong partnerships, to ensure that all our students have access to a high quality education, on the same or equal basis as students without disabilities.

One of the myths that I do hear, is that our students with ‘disabilities’ receive special privileges, are treated better or their behaviour isn’t held to the same standards as ‘neurotypical students’. Inclusion is not about elevating the needs of students with additional or special needs.  The needs of students with disabilities are varied and complex. A student who is ‘neurodiverse’ may intellectually be able to meet or exceed the academic demands of the classroom, but may need support to socially interact within his/ her peers.

Similarly, a student with an intellectual impairment may need adjustments made to the curriculum, but is able to interact positively and productively with classmates. Some students with disabilities actually require little or no adjustment to the curriculum or learning environment, and so their school experience may be no different from that of a “mainstream” student.  Inclusion therefore provides the student with disabilities the opportunity to demonstrate and be appreciated for their strengths, recognises that their needs are unique (and unlike any other student who may share the same disability) provides students with the opportunity to engage in a learning context that replicates real life. For that reason, we ensure that we differentiate our approach, processes, teaching methods and expectations to meet the individual needs of all students, including those with a disability, within the confines of the resources we have available.

It must be remembered that neurotypical students (those without a diagnosed disability) can also have a number of additional or complex learning or social-emotional needs. Classrooms are now complex places that represent a large diversity and range of student needs and challenges.

Students who are neurotypical benefit enormously from having students who are neurodiverse in their classrooms. Neurodiverse students provide a unique gift to all students – an opportunity for those students to develop greater empathy, kindness and compassion. These lessons cannot be taught – they have to be experienced first-hand. A number of times, I have seen students demonstrate such consideration and gentleness towards a fellow student who was struggling in their learning, their self-regulation or in their navigation of the school environment.

The ultimate goal of inclusion at our school therefore is to ensure that all students feel welcome, valued and wanted at our school. We acknowledge that at any one time, a student may be struggling with a life event – e.g. death of a family member, separation or divorce or a traumatic incident, that requires us to “wrap around” a child and their family. We have students that may have such a high level of anxiety that they refuse to get dressed and come to school – we also support these students to feel wanted, and help them to enter the classroom to ensure they have a productive and happy day. We also support students that are feeling disengaged and uninterested in school, by working with families, teachers and the students to find the cause of this disengagement and resolve it. At any one time, your child may have a ‘special need’ that we will do our best to work with you to address and manage.

Kind regards,
Paul Zernike
Principal
pzern1@eq.edu.au

Some great parenting tips in the article below, I often get asked by parents for information in this realm. I think what is important is to always be kind to yourself while parenting and realise it isn’t a perfect science.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/nine-steps.html

Building a family culture and  giving yourself space are both important aspects of navigating the early years of parenting.

Thank you, 
Kylie Dunne
Deputy Principal
kdunn34@eq.edu.au

CITY DISTRICT & METROPOLITAN NORTH SWIMMING

On Wednesday 12th February, the Milton SS Swimming team competed at Lawnton Pool in the City District School Swimming Championships. With a team of thirty-five swimmers competing against thirty-three other schools, we finished equal 1st overall in the A school’s division with a total of 954.50 points with Wilston SS. Against every school in City District we finished 3rd overall on percentage! An awesome team performance and result. Well done kids!

All the best to any swimmers who end up qualifying for the Met North team after the unfortunately cancellation of the Met North Swimming Trails who will then swim at the Queensland State School Sport Swimming Championships later in March. 

See students individual meet results below;

City District Swimming Results

City District Swimming Results 43.58 KB

CD SPORT – BASKETBALL, NETBALL & AFL

Congratulations to the following students who have all attended district sports trials over the past few weeks and been selected into various City District Sports teams.

These students will now attend Met North Sport Championships as part of City District teams in their selected sports. If they perform well for their teams, and are selected into the regional Met North School Sport teams, they will then attend championships at a state level. All the very best kids!

Congratulations to Scarlett S (Year 6) who was selected as part of the City District 10-12yrs Girls Basketball team, Charlotte C (Year 5) as part of the City District 10-11yrs Girls Netball team, Edwina S (Year 6) & Elsie J (Year 6) as part of the City District 10-12yrs City District 10-12 Girls AFL team and Alex E (Year 6), Bailey D (year 6) and Louis C (Year 5) as part of the City District 10-12 Boys AFL team. Good luck at your Met North Championships kids!

MILTON SS RUN CLUB is BACK!!!!

If you’ve missed the first run clubs, don’t despair, there’s a few left to get along to and run along with the crew. See final run club dates and details below.

These are the final dates for 2025, as after run club finishes, I will be preparing the cross-country team for their district competition.

Term 1 Run Club Dates remaining

Week Seven: Friday 14^th March

Week Eight: Wednesday 19^th March & Friday 21^st March

*Weather permitting each day. Emails will be sent to all parents if cancelled due to weather.

Personnel: Mr. Sayer & House captains will be coordinating the Run Club.

Points to Note:

1. Children can arrive any time between 7.45am and 8.30am and run as many laps they feel like (Max. 10 is advised, 8 max advised for Prep and Year 1 students).
2. Children are encouraged to wear an old shirt to run in and then change into their school uniform afterwards.
3. PLEASE bring a labelled drink bottle and a healthy snack, piece of fruit to eat after running.
4. Everyone is welcome. No sign up required. Just come along!

MILTON STATE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

Tuesday 25th March, 9am – 1pm

In just under two weeks’ time on Tuesday 25th March, week nine, we hold our Milton SS Cross Country event for all year levels (Prep – Year 6) from 9am – 1pm. Here’s hoping for good weather this year and a nice cool morning for the run.

Students can come dressed in their house shirts and colours, Anderson (Red), Laver (Blue) and Turnbull (Gold/Yellow) and wear their house shorts and tights. If you’d like to purchase school house shirt, shorts or tights, the uniform shop will be open Tuesday’s and Friday’s from 8:30am – 9:30am.

Please remember that all students should apply sunscreen for the morning as well and if they own a good running cap or visor, they are allowed to run in this, along with having their school hats for the school’s day too. A reminder to bring a decent morning tea and lunch as well and students MUST remember their own water bottles!

An important reminder that any students requiring asthma medication must remember their relievers on the day and bring them down with class teachers to the course in a labelled bag as well please to be placed at the first aid table.

Our wet weather day is set for Thursday 3rd April, week ten, if required.

Course maps and selection information for 9 years – 12 years students (Born 2016 – 2013) is already up on the PE notice board under cover in from the Fig Tree court yard too if you’d like to have a look.

MILTON STATE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

Tuesday 25th March

Years 3 – 6 (9am – 11am)

Prep – Year 2 (11:30am – 1pm)

*NEW DATE: Wet weather back up – Monday 31st March, times as per above.

2025 ORDER OF EVENTS

Year 3 – 6 // 8yo – 12yo races

9am – 11am

1. Year 3 / Age 8 / Born 2017 Girls & Year 3 / Age 8 / Born 2017 Boys
2. Born 2016 / 9yrs Girls
3. Born 2016 / 9yrs Boys
4. Born 2015 / 10yrs Girls
5. Born 2015 / 10yrs Boys
6. Born 2014 / 11yrs Girls
7. Born 2014 / 11yrs Boys
8. Born 2013 / 12yrs Girls & Born 2013 / 12yrs Boys

2025 ORDER OF EVENTS

Prep – Year 2 races

11:30am – 12:40pm

1. Prep W & D – Girls
2. Prep M & H – Girls
3. Prep W & D – Boys
4. Prep M & H – Boys
5. Year 1 Girls
6. Year 1 Boys
7. Year 2 Girls
8. Year 2 Boys

*12:45pm - Presentations (Oval) *Time permitting

1:00pm – Finish

Thank you
Lachlan Sayer
HPE Teacher 
lsaye12@eq.edu.au

Annual General Meeting (AGM) & next general meeting

We encourage all parents to join our P&C – as they say, many hands make light work! Simply download the membership form (below), complete and return addressed to the P&C either to the school’s office administration, or via email at pandc@miltonss.eq.edu.au (both scanned versions and photos of the completed form will be accepted). Printed copies will also be available from the office administration for those who are unable to print the form at home.

2025 P&C Membership Application

2025 P&amp 171.50 KB

• Remember, the P&C is made up of parents.....just like you! The primary goal of the P&C is to enhance the educational opportunities for the students at our school, and it is a great platform to:
• • Build lifelong friendships with other like-minded parents
  • Enhance your skill set
  • Become more informed on important school matters and policies and provide parent input
  • Give back to our wonderful school community
  • And most importantly, have fun!

At the AGM, all Executive positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) will be declared vacant, and nominations for the 2025 Executive Committee will be tabled for election.  Any candidates, nominators & seconders must be members of the P&C, prior to Tuesday evening.

All P&C Executives are responsible for any urgent decisions required outside of P&C meetings and are the official employers of all P&C staff. The P&C Executive Committee are also the Business Managers of the Tuckshop, Uniform Shop and MOSHC.

Should you have any questions about the P&C, please reach out to pandc@miltonss.eq.edu.au

 

Monty's Colour & Slime Fun Run

Just 2 weeks to go! Sign your children up at www.myprofilepage.com.au (a new registration is required each year, as they wipe data!) and start FUN-raising! Prizes will be awarded for the top class - a pizza party for the kids & a Patio voucher for the parents! A schedule for the afternoon will be distributed next week so you can see what time your child/ren will be running and can come & be part of the joy!!

Mums event - save the date

Mark your calendars - this will be returning in 2025 on Saturday 10 May.

More info to come!

 

Containers for Change

A reminder that you can donate your 10c containers from home towards the P&C fund - simply mention this member number when you do your deposit.

 

 

Thank you for your ongoing support.

P&C Executive committee

Thomas, Leah, Sarah & Ian
pandc@miltonss.eq.edu.au

Hello everyone,

Volunteer opportunities for "Term 1 - 2025" are now open.

Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet:

https://volunteersignup.org/JLD77

To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.

Thank you for volunteering!
Steph
tuckshop@miltonss.eq.edu.au

The Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday & Friday morning, 8.30am – 9.30am during school terms.

If you cannot make it into the store please place your orders online Via the Qkr App. Your order is then delivered directly to your Child’s classroom, no pickup is required.

*** Pre-loved items cannot be ordered online, please visit the store to see what’s currently available.

Volunteers are essential for the smooth running of the shop, no experience is required and it’s a great way to connect with other families. 

If you’re interested in giving it a try or in helping out again simply click on the sign-up link and follow the prompts on the page, we really do appreciate it.

https://volunteersignup.org/X3ELL

Thank you,
Julie Rowlinson
Uniform Shop Convenor
Uniforms@miltonss.eq.edu.au

Job Opportunity

About us: Wildfire Sports & Trek is a local independent sports and outdoor retailer based on Douglas street in Milton, Brisbane. We are currently seeking motivated individuals with a keen attention to detail. Willingness to learn and curiosity are highly valued.

Position 1 - Returns Department

Work Type/Hours: Casual employee, 2-4 days per week within school hours

Pay Rate: Above Retail Award

Experience required: The right applicant will have good people skills, time management and critical thinking. Basic computer skills required. Specific training is provided on the job.

Roles & Responsibilities: Facilitating exchanges, refunds and warranty claims both in person and via phone/email.

Position 2 - Cleaner

Work Type/Hours: Contractor or Casual Employee, approximately 5 hours per week within school hours

Pay Rate: To be negotiated depending on employment arrangement

Experience required: This role is suited to a local parent with professional cleaning experience. Either a professional cleaner looking for extra contract work within school hours or an individual with professional cleaning experience looking for a casual cleaning role.

Roles & Responsibilities: General office & retail cleaning duties, details available on request.

How to Apply:

Please submit an application at the link below. Include a cover letter addressed to Alexandra Worthington. https://www.wildfiresports.com.au/apply