NCCD

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a yearly count of students by all Australian schools across the country. The aim of the NCCD is to provide the Australian Government with information about the number of students with disability in Australian schools and the type of adjustments they need in order to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students.

If you are a parent, guardian or carer of a child with disability who requires ongoing adjustments at school, a teacher or another school staff member will consult with you to understand your child’s needs. This collaborative approach ensures the most appropriate adjustments are chosen to support your child’s learning and participation at school. In some cases, an individual education plan (IEP) or personal learning plan (PLP) may be developed to document specific educational goals and to review your child’s progress over time.

Your child will be included in the NCCD if they require ongoing adjustments at school due to a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992  (the DDA). This is a very broad definition of disability, which includes physical and intellectual disabilities, learning disorders such as dyslexia and dysgraphia, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards) set out the obligations of schools towards students with disability. Information for parents, guardians and carers on the DDA and the Standards about how schools can work with students and their families is available at Disability Standards for Education: A practical guide for individuals, families and communities.

For further information use the link below and/or click for the attachment for the parent/ carers fact sheet.

https://www.nccd.edu.au/for-parents-guardians-and-carers

MINI FESTIVALS

The City Collective Mini-Festivals cater for highly capable students in Year 3 and 4 who have achieved excellent academic results or demonstrated an aptitude in a particular area.

The City Collective Schools include: Ascot SS, Brisbane Central SS, Eagle Junction SS, Hamilton SS, Hendra SS, Kelvin Grove SC, Queensland Children’s Hospital School, Milton SS, New Farm SS, Newmarket SS, Petrie Terrace SS, West End SS, Wilston SS, Windsor SS and Wooloowin SS.

The festivals aim to provide opportunities for students to work with like-minded students across the City Collective to provide enrichment and extension opportunities in their strength area.

Congratulations to the following students for each of the Mini festivals.

Mini-Writers - Milton State School.

This year MSS is hosting the Writer’s Festival. Congratulations:

Mini-Writers - Milton State School.

This year MSS is hosting the Writer’s Festival. Congratulations:

Toby M - 3W

Evie L - 4SC

Alice R - 3M

Alice R - 3AL

Pen & Possibility: Students will work with authors alongside teachers to learn the craft of creative writing. This is a unique opportunity for young students who show exceptional talent in writing.

Mini-Coders - New Farm State School

Retro Coders: Students will use MakeCode Arcade to apply coding skills to each step of the design process to make their very own retro video game. In the process of building their computational thinking knowledge, participants will ideate, prototype and test their human-centric game designs. Congratulations:

Ash J - 4L

Max C - 4SC

Hugh F - 3B

Cruz P - 3W

Mini-Mathematicians - Hamilton State School

Advanced Mathematical Thinking: Developing problem solving and reasoning using an inquiry model. Children use an inquiry model to help guide them in developing deeper understanding of key mathematical concepts. Congratulations:

Tusanda C - 4ML

Ashton R - 4L

Henry M - 4S

Owen M - 3M

Mini-Media Artists - West End State School

Telling True Stories: Students will explore how moving-image media languages and technologies are used to tell stories that engage audiences. They will collaborate to design and produce a documentary that tells a story about a social issue. Congratulations:

Isla L - 3B

Catherine M - 3W

Lucas V - 4L

Wil B - 3W

Mini-Scientists - Brisbane Urban Environment Education Centre, Newmarket State School

Polymer Playtime: Students will extend their knowledge to look at polymers at the molecular level. They will engage in a guided exploration of crystalline and amorphous polymers and how their molecular structure influences their use. They will deepen their understanding of polymers as they plan, conduct and refine scientific experiments to make the bounciest polymer ball. Congratulations:

Raf C - 4SC

Henry H - 4ML

Maryam S - 4ML

Thomas P - 4ML

Mini-Design Thinkers - Ascot State School

TinkerThink: Build a Better World: Students will be introduced to the process of design inquiry and design principles to collaboratively explore the United Nations Sustainability Development goals (SDG’s). Students will use 3D printing software and Co-spaces, a virtual reality environment, to develop their solutions to problems or challenges. Congratulations:

Abby B - 4S

Adam B - 4S

Living Stories - Petrie Terrace State School

Living Stories is a new initiative in 2025. The Department of Education (DoE) are supporting this new program for its first year of implementation. Congratulations:

Heather H - 4SC

Cleo M - 4S

Teddy W - 3AL

William B - 3M

Living Stories: Students connect with the rich heritage of First Nations peoples through storytelling and visual arts. The students will collaborate with a First Nation’s artist and cultural leader and explore the profound role of storytelling in First Nations cultures —learning how oral traditions, symbols, and art forms have preserved cultures, histories, values, and identities for centuries whilst connecting to and expressing their own stories.

Some action shots of Mini Festival Writing hosted at Milton SS and led by our very own Miss Liz. Four days of creative inspiration and working with Author Cameron Stelzer. Australian author and illustrator Dr Cameron Stelzer has written and illustrated thirty-six books for children, including the Scallywags, Pie Rats and Stroogle series. ...What a wonderful opportunity for our students and across our City Collective. These snaps demonstrate a range of opportunities to share, publicly speak, collaboration, flexible working arrangements, Teacher and author support, Shared editing and brainstorming and much more.

ICAS 2025 Reminders:

ICAS is now closed for registration and payment. See emails and previous newsletters for dates

•             The competitions are held before school in A block – Year 6 classrooms.

•             Arrival to school is 7:40 sharp.

•             Do not arrive early at the classroom or wait earlier in the hallways.

•             If you miss a competition they are not made up, you can contact ICAS for a refund.

•             Students require their iPads, fully charged.

•             Writing and Spelling Bee require a lock down browser – see link to install

       https://www.icasassessments.com/support-locked-down-browser/

INFORMATION FROM OUR SOCIAL WORKER FOR  SEPARATED PARENTS

Centacare and the Brisbane Family Relationship Centre are preparing to offer a group program for children of separated parents, which will provide a secure environment to enhance emotional literacy through creative therapy, as well as opportunities for interaction with peers in similar circumstances – referred to as OWL KIDS.

The program is a practical, child-centred art and leisure therapy group that enables children to express themselves creatively through art, drama, and metaphors.

It is designed for children aged 7 to 12 years who are navigating the challenges of separation; those who have been informed or will soon be informed of their parents' separation; or those who have been affected by parental conflict.

Children will have the chance to:

• Explore grief and loss related to family separation
• Identify safe coping strategies for their own self-care
• Process their experiences of living in two households
• Distinguish between child and adult responsibilities and recognize the rights of being a child
• Celebrate their learning and progress throughout the program.

Dates for the upcoming (School Holiday) program:

Monday, 29 September 2025 – Wednesday, 1 October 2025 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Cost: Free

Address: Brisbane Family Relationship Centre 58 Morgan Street, Fortitude Valley

Important:

A session for parents will occur concurrently with the first group session. This session aims to help parents understand the objectives of Owl Kids, what their children may share at home, and how each parent can provide support.

An alternative session will allow the other parent to attend at a different time during the same week.

The concluding session will be a presentation for parents to attend separately, highlighting the children's progress and work throughout the program.

Before children can enrol in the program, written parental consent is required. More information attached.

Spotlight – Year 6

In Term 2, Year 6 students explored creating adaptations of a familiar narrative including prequels, sequels and changing main events. Based on Remy Lai's "Pie in the Sky", students wrote their adaptations using specific vocabulary choices to not only match the author's style, but to suit their audience- primary school students. Here are a few snippets of their amazing work!  - Excerpts from final pieces

By Audrey L  6CH

‘Why did I say that, why did I say that?!’ I think to myself. While I’m contemplating on life’s choices Yanghao prances into the room in the tuxedo he wore to aunties wedding. Papa turns and his expression turns to Yanghao, and he laughs. “Yanghao you can’t wear that.” I say to him. “Booger” he says his comebacks aren’t great. I wouldn’t even wear that, and I am 11. He looks at me slyly and then quickly turns back to dance in the kitchen. Hopefully, that takes my mind off what I just said. I wish I could say sorry to him at brunch. On the way there, I turn to Papa, and I try to say something, but my seashells are too heavy to give to him. I couldn’t tell him about how kids bully me and call me “smell like cake.” I just couldn’t. We arrive at the restaurant, and I order the sweet milk tea and a muffin. This place is beautiful, no scratches, no paint peeling and the kitchen is amazing. The envy eats my skin. When the food comes, Yanghao at once goes to town. As I slowly take a sip of my Chinese sweet milk tea, I try to make conversation by asking “what is the news you wanted to tell us about, Mama?” Mama looks up from her plate and announces confidently “boys, next month we are moving to Australia!” I drop my fork, but Yanghao keeps chomping on his food. “I don’t want to move” I announce loudly. I still have things I want to do here, friends I have, and I stare at my plate for the rest of breakfast.

By Simran G 6CH

A few days later we are getting in the car. The dreaded day has arrived. Papa’s funeral. I asked mama if I had to go. She said yes. I asked why and she said because papa is family and we all love him. The only reason I don’t want to go is because I do not want to have to even think about papa not being here, especially because I know that it is my fault. As we drive along the old bumpy and rough asphalt I spot an ambulance and policemen. It reminds me of papa. My nose stings. That’s what happens when I think of papa. A part of me stings as if I am about to cry. But I always keep it in, no matter what. Finally, we arrive at the huge beaming temple. It is made out of big orangey-red bricks and has statues of God. “Why don’t you boys get as much stuff as you can out of the boot”. Says mama as she walks off with someone who is probably helping organize the funeral. While everyone is setting up I hide in the car not ever wanting to come out. Then I see something out of the corner of my eye. I turn to look and let out a silent gasp. It’s papas’ coffin. I jump out of the car and run to mama. As soon as the funeral starts my nose stings. Then my eyes, after that my cheekbones, until finally my whole body is on fire. After the coffin has been walked down the aisle. Mama, Ah-gong, Ah-po and a few of my aunties and uncles get up to say a eulogy. When the funeral is over and we go home mama gives us leftover slice of raspberry torte. I do not eat any but the cake reminds me. My birthday is in five days. But I do not know if I want to have a party anymore.

Elsie J 6M 

My house keys jangle as I lock the apartment door behind us. Yanghao says to me with a fat grin on his plump face,

"Jingwen, do you know what time it is?"

I sigh with my head of messy black hair in my hand. "It's-"

Yanghao interrupts me; "...CAKE TIME!" he shouts with glee and darts down the spiral carpeted stairs.

"Wait!"

Yanghao is a real booger.

I eventually catch up with him and we're walking along the busy main road- well, I'm walking, Yanghao is skipping along, swinging around bus stop poles like a boy ballerina. I can hear annoying noisy honks and horns and the tall and short buildings surrounding us, but most of all, I can smell cake. I can see Mama through the Barker's Bakery glass. Me and Yanghao stealthily sneak across without Mama seeing us. I stop and look back towards her. She has a soft face and short black hair. I feel guilty for a second; I wonder if Mama would want me to do this behind her back, but I turn around and keep walking. We walk through the automatic doors and Yanghao spots the baking aisle.

I've got all the ingredients except flour so I'm scouring through the tall shelves like a bin chicken looking for food. Ben told me a bin chicken is a bird that eats rubbish, and Martian, Martian, Martian. I didn't understand that last bit. Aha, flour. I get on my tiptoes and grab it. I call out Yanghao's name to tell him we're leaving. He doesn't reply. When I turn around, my chest heaves. Yanghao's gone.

I drop the bright red shopping basket and the ingredients spill and clatter onto the clean, tiled floor and race down the narrow aisle. I check everywhere, but Yanghao isn't there.

My heart is beating out of my chest. What will Mama think of me when she finds out I lost him. Tears like drops of rain start to form in my small, hazel eyes. I hurry back to the baking aisle with my head hung. I pick up the newly dirty, wrecked shopping basket. I look into the vanilla sprinkle cake disaster and a light bulb flickers in my mind. There's about $15 missing from the cake money. That little rascal.

Felix P 6D

“When Yanghao and I arrive home that afternoon, instead of everyone in the kitchen, mama, ah-po, ah-gong, and a policeman are sitting around the kitchen table. “Where’s papa” I begin to say as I walk through the door. “My lovely, my lovely, lovely children” mama says as she gives us the tightest hug ever. He eyes are red and she’s sniffing. “Your papa got into a car crash coming home from the cake shop.”. After mama said that one sentence, I knew life would never be the same.

Yanghao burst into tears and started to scream “IT ISN’T TRUE! PAPA WOULDN’T LEAVE US!”. I just stood there taking it all in. Papa had been the heart of the family, when we went to the beach and it rained, he said it was ok and said we would go next week. When I had a hard day at school, he said it was ok and took me to get ice cream. I didn’t feel the same, like a piece of my heart that I thought would be there forever, was gone. Just like that all the happy memories we had, were washed away like waves on the sand.”

Kind Regards 
Anita Heinrich
Deputy Principal
ahein8@eq.edu.au