Milpera News - August 2025

Message from our Principal, Ms Julie Peel

Dear Parents,

We are now halfway through another fantastic term at Milpera and our students are learning well in their classrooms. In the classroom, students are not only developing their English skills but also sharing knowledge about their cultures. This exchange builds a rich understanding of the world and fosters a caring, supportive environment where students learn together through group and paired activities. Excursions and camps play a vital role in their language learning journey. These experiences deepen students’ understanding of Australian culture, and we see significant growth in their English writing skills after attending.

In Week 9, we have Parent/Carer meetings, these are important, and we look forward to sharing your child’s progress report at these meetings.

We are working hard to ensure students do not miss any learning time. If you need support to get your child to school on time please contact Jacki Howlett, our Head of Student Services.

In Week 10, we have a School Review, during this review we will be sharing our work over the past four years with external reviewers. The Review will also support us to identify improvement strategies for the next four years. We are looking forward to sharing some of the great things our students and teachers are doing with the Review Team.

All the best for the next few weeks, we look forward to seeing you at Parent/Carer Meetings.

Message from our Deputy Principal, Mr Sam Dilly

Dear parents and carers,

In July this year, schools across Australia celebrated NAIDOC week. This year the theme for NAIDOC week is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," which celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead for First Nations people. In recognition of NAIDOC Week at Milpera, we took our students on an excursion around our local area to learn about the important places for the First Nations people who have lived in our area for thousands of years. Students learned about the different plants and animals that lived here, and the different ways First Nations people cared for this land.

Part of our responsibility as visitors to this area is to look after the land and keep it clean and tidy. Each class will shortly be given responsibility for an outside area in our school to keep free of rubbish. Students will also learn about how to use the correct bins at school. Keeping our school and our local communities free of rubbish ensures that our waterways and parks remain healthy. We are very grateful for our students who work hard to look after our school and our local area. 

Road safety to/from school

Students please take care when crossing the road. Put your phone away and always look left, look right and look left again. Please use Zebra crossings if one is available. Please do not play loud music on the buses and trains, and remember to wait behind the kerb when catching public transport. 

Equine Assisted Learning

Milpera State High School students have participated in an Equine Assisted Learning program with the Reason To Thrive organization since 2021. Students are generally nominated by the HEAL therapists and the student support team at the school and participate as a cultural group. This feature ensures that all instructions/directions that are given by Reason To Thrive staff can, where necessary be translated into the student’s first language by a multilingual staff member from Milpera SHS.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is a hands-on, innovative and practical way for a person to learn about themselves and build essential life skills. All learning takes place in an outdoor classroom with a horse as the teacher. Horses are very good at helping students to self-regulate. They are masters at reading body language and are aware of energy shifts around them because as prey animals they are constantly assessing threats to their safety.

Together through positive interaction and teamwork participants and equine teachers work through a series of objective-driven, ground-based activities (no riding) to achieve specific outcomes. Each person learns about their strengths, their personality and the energy they give out to everyone around them.

Queensland Human Rights Commission's Room Naming Contest

Congratulations to Anjelina Akuac on being selected for the Queensland Human Rights Commission's Room Naming Contest!

It's fantastic that her dedication to human rights, social justice, and equality has been recognized. Anjelina's story is truly inspiring, from arriving in Australia as a refugee to becoming a bilingual teacher aide at Milpera and making a positive impact on students' lives for 26 years. Anjelina also supports orphaned school-age Sudanese girls to access schools in Kampala through her charitable work.

Her quote, "If you empower the girls, you empower the nation," is so powerful! She's a shining example of a change maker and a champion for human rights.

Welcome Parade

Milpera proudly welcomed nearly 70 new students to our school community! It was a special moment filled with excitement, nerves, and new beginnings. A big thank you to Room 25, who led the welcome assembly with confidence and heart, reminding everyone of the “Ways to Be at Milpera”: Be Ready, Be Hard Working, Be Respectful, and Be Kind.

Starting life in a new country can feel overwhelming—but you're not alone. At Milpera, our dedicated staff and teachers are here to guide and support you through every step of your journey. Whether it's inside the classroom or out in the community, we’re committed to helping make your transition as smooth, comfortable, and successful as possible.

National NAIDOC Week

At Milpera, Week 3 started with a fire to launch the Naidoc activities. Students participated in a cultural walking tour around Milpera, focusing on the river’s significance to First Nations people and their connection to Country. They learned about the sacred scar tree on the school campus, they also learned about the indigenous connections to the area and their ways of living respectively with their natural environment. The students found this tour very meaningful. Thank you Ms. Luisa for sharing your knowledge and time! 

Students also contributed to a collaborative art installation representing native wildlife and plant life.

EQI Professional Visit: More Than School (MTS) International Education

On 5th August, Milpera welcomed 23 visiting educators from Taiwan who are here to observe how we integrate language and content for EAL/D learners.

The teachers were informed about the Milpera way and by the graciousness of our teachers were able to observe a variety of subjects in classrooms. Mr Stegman simulated a lesson with the Taiwanese teachers acting as EAL/D students. The day ended with presentations about Transitions, SAR/HOW and HEAL with many questions being asked along the way.

ABCN Program

Milpera students participated in Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) Goals program this Term. ABCN's  mentoring programs inspire students to raise their aspirations, develop essential skills, and build meaningful connections with workplaces and corporate mentors. 

The program works on building students’ confidence, the importance of setting goals and continuing their education to Year 12 and beyond. Students work with mentors on activities that include goal setting, communication, values, and personal strengths.  

Our students enjoyed visiting real offices, seeing how businesses operate, and talking to professionals who helped them imagine new career possibilities. They felt inspired and confident.

Australian Maths Competition

A huge congrats to our 13 students who took part in the Australian Maths Competition (AMC) online!

The AMC is Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious maths competition for school students, challenging participants with complex, thought-provoking problems that go beyond the classroom.

Our students showed incredible creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving skills as they tackled each question. We’re so proud of their effort, determination, and enthusiasm. 

Milpera Adventures

Toohey Forest

This term Rooms 3, 4 and 5 visited Toohey Forest. The day was filled with hands-on learning as students explored the local ecosystem. They were divided into two groups to participate in engaging science activities. One group began their experience at the Environmental Centre, using microscopes to examine tiny organisms and learning about food chains and webs. Meanwhile, the other group headed to the pond, where they collected samples of small aquatic creatures, observing firsthand the biodiversity of freshwater habitats.

After a relaxing lunch in the natural surroundings, the groups swapped activities, ensuring everyone had the chance to engage in both experiences. The students were fascinated by the incredible details they could see under the microscope and enjoyed discovering the hidden world of pond life.

The excursion provided a valuable opportunity for students to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences in nature. It was a fantastic day of discovery, teamwork, and environmental education!

South Bank 

On August 12, Room 13 embarked on a memorable excursion to South Bank. The class travelled via the CityCat, enjoying the scenic journey along the Brisbane River.

During their visit, students explored the vibrant South Bank area, admired the popular Streets Beach, and walked up to the Skydeck for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. While a few students were a little nervous about the height, most were thrilled by the spectacular sights.

The day continued with fun and games at Guyatt Park, where students enjoyed playing together and making the most of the sunshine. The excursion also provided a valuable opportunity for students to practise their English skills—both through conversations with others and later by recounting their experiences in class.

A big thank you to our dedicated teachers and teacher aides for making this day possible. Your time, support, and enthusiasm helped create a truly enriching and enjoyable learning experience for all.

Luminous Festival

Milpera students loved joining the Luminous Lantern Parade on 3 August, celebrating Queensland's vibrant cultural diversity.  The procession of illuminated lanterns, music, and cultural displays was truly breathtaking.

Luminous Festival is Queensland’s largest multicultural event, created to showcase that a multicultural Australia is a better Australia and that all Australians are welcome. A beautiful way to welcome new Queenslanders and foster inclusivity and community spirit.

National Science Week

As part National Science Week, Milpera had the exciting opportunity to welcome a special guest- Ruben Meerman, also known as The Surfing Scientist!

Ruben is a scientist, TV presenter, children’s author, and a surfer! He wowed students with a series of amazing science experiments using liquid nitrogen, lasers, helium, and balloons to demonstrate fascinating laws of physics in action.

Ruben shared his inspiring journey of immigrating from the Netherlands to Bundaberg at the age of nine, and later studying Science at Queensland University of Technology. His visit was a fun, educational, and memorable way to spark curiosity and celebrate the wonders of science!

Cooking lessons

Our students learn valuable cooking lessons every week and the importance of nutritious eating. Our wonderful teachers and teacher aides empower our students with practical life skills.

In the picture: Students making French toast and yoghurt fruit cups.