Milpera News, December 2024

Message from our Principal, Ms Julie Peel

Dear Parents and Carers,

2024 has been a fabulous year. Our enrolments have continued to remain high and our staff have worked hard to adapt and ensure that we continued our high standard of Enlgish language teaching and learning. Our students have worked hard to grow their English and have participated in so many learning activities and developed their understanding of Australian Culture.

Participation in school activities including swimming, Health and Physical Education and all classroom learning is so important for growing confidence and voice. Developing a voice empowers our students to advocate for themselves in schools and society, it develops their confidence in becoming future citizens who are strong and have opinions that can be listened to and valued. Most important of all, our students have learnt the value of team work and kindness. Kindness is so important in a society that values fast and often negative responses on social media. We know that positivity and kindness when working together are important life, work and school skills that support future success.

Our 40^th birthday this year certainly enabled us to demonstrate the success of our students. Milpera students and staff have very high levels of belonging to our special place, but now it is time for a holiday. We wish everyone a safe and happy time and look forward to returning for more wonderful work in 2025.

Message from our Deputy Principal, Mr Sam Dilly

Dear Parents and Carers,

Although technology can be very useful, it also comes with many risks for young people. During 2024, we have welcomed many of our parents and carers to Milpera and shared information about cyber safety. Here are some helpful tips and key messages for how to help our young people to stay safe online.

1. Talk About Internet Safety

Children need to understand the risks online. Teach them:

• Never share personal information like their address, phone number, or school name.
• Think before they post—anything they share can be seen by others and stay online forever.

2. Set Clear Rules

• Decide on screen time limits and which websites/apps they can use.
• Keep devices in shared family spaces, so you can supervise.

3. Know Their Apps and Games

Many apps and games have chat features or ads that aren’t safe for kids.

• Check age-appropriate ratings.
• Use parental controls to block inappropriate content.

4. Teach Them to Spot Red Flags

Kids should know what to do if they encounter:

• Messages from strangers.
• Cyberbullying or hurtful comments.
• Websites that make them uncomfortable.

Encourage them to tell you or a trusted adult if something feels wrong.

 Further information:

I encourage you to visit the eSafety website for more information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/.

They have several resources that have been translated into languages other than English: https://www.esafety.gov.au/communities/cultural-linguistic/translations

Remember, You're Not Alone!

If you have questions or need help with online safety tools, feel free to reach out to the school.

My New Gallery

Storm and Flood Preparation

Fourth term of the school year coincides with the storm season. Storms and tropical cyclones can bring torrential rain and damaging winds. It is important that families at Milpera are aware of the dangers that can occur at this time. 

• Warn your children of the dangers of playing in or near storm water drains or in any flooded creeks or water. Flood waters can rise quickly and children should not swim in or try to rescue balls that fall into flooded drains.
• Families should not attempt to drive through a flooded road. Even shallow floodwater can affect a car's steering and traction. If it's flooded forget it.
• Do not stand or park your cars under large trees during storms. Fallen branches can seriously injure people and damage property.

Milpera was flooded in 2011 and 2022, affecting the school and causing the school to be relocated whilst the school buildings and grounds were repaired. For this reason, the school enacts a plan in fourth term each year to move valuable classroom resources and materials to higher ground in order to protect them over the summer holidays.

In the event of any flooding during the school holiday closure, the school will contact parents using SMS for Schools, to keep families informed of any alternative arrangements for the start of the school year. It is very important, therefore, that parents and guardians keep the school updated with their contact details.

Schools Plus Award

Recently the Principal of Milpera, Julie Peel, was awarded a Schools Plus Teaching Fellowship. The award provides $25,000 to Milpera for a special project. Ms Peel was awarded the prize at Parliament House in Canberra by the Education Minister, the Honorary Jason Clare, and Mr David Gonski. Ms Peel received the award for the work of Milpera Live and our Professional Development for Brisbane Schools and for Taiwanese teachers in Taiwan. Milpera Live is our specialised online English program that supports students in rural Queensland schools. Ms Peel acknowledged the amazing work of the Milpera team and their passion for achieving the best possible results for all EAL/D students. Our thanks go to Schools Plus for their fabulous work!

Women of the World Event

Four of our female students were fortunate enough to attend the Women of the World lunch in October, at South Bank. They were accompanied by teachers Ms Felicity and Ms O'Sullivan, and Ms Riyan, one of our teacher aides. 

Women of the World fosters action and change to promote gender equality through cultural and creative dialogue. Our Milpera students met students from other schools to collaborate and share their ideas and engaged in a number of creative workshops. They also had a mentoring opportunity with a female business leader or innovator, which took place on the Wheel of Brisbane! Exposure to conversations at events such as this encourages our female students to value and expect respect in their personal and professional lives in the future.

We are looking forward to representing Milpera again at Women of the World in 2025.

Water Safety Program

The water safety program is an essential part of the curriculum at Milpera. Many of our students do not know how to swim and therefore do not understand how to be safe around water. The program consists of ten lessons over two weeks, with an emphasis on water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills, as well as teaching water safety and survival skills. Additionally, students are shown the basics of resuscitation.

At the completion of the program all students should be able to enter the water safely, breathe properly (blowing bubbles in the water, not breathing in) and know how to float. It is important for survival that students don't panic in the water but can put their rescue strategies into effect.

Beach Day

Senior Prep 2 students in Rooms 25 and 1 enjoyed an excursion to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Main Beach to learn more about water and beach safety. This excursion supports the Water Safety Program students have already completed at Dunlop Pool. The surf brings different dangers and challenges that many students, coming from other countries, may not be aware of. It is a sad fact that people born overseas are over-represented in beach fatalities and drownings. Therefore, it is vital for our students to learn more about how to safely enjoy the beautiful beaches in Australia.

First, we went to Helensvale Aquatic Centre to practise duck diving, front gliding and floating (all water safety techniques essential in the surf). Then we went to Southport Surf Life Saving Club/Main Beach. Aqua English ran a safety talk and beach session. They explained the importance of swimming at patrolled beaches and only swimming between the flags. They also explained how a rip can carry swimmers far out to sea and how to avoid rips. 

Aqua English staff then cooked us a lovely bbq lunch before heading back to Milpera. What a fantastic day!

Travelling on Public Transport

Teaching new students how to travel safely and respectfully on public transport has always been an important part of the settlement process for students at Milpera. All new students attend a Railway Safety Excursion in the first few weeks of arriving at school. This term, teachers have been reminding all classes of the importance of respectful behaviour towards transport operators, such as bus drivers and train guards, as well as all towards members of the public sharing the transport. We share below some of the basic rules regarding travel. Parents can help us by reminding their children of these rules as well. It is always lovely for the school to receive feedback from members of the public telling us how well-mannered our students are on the train and bus!

Family Link Day

Milpera hosted a Family Link Day designed to bring together the families of our African students, helping them to make connections within their communities. Beny Bol, a leader at the Queensland African Communities Council, addressed parents and told them about the help and mentoring available to young people struggling with their African identity while settling into their new country. Mr Dilly and Ms Jackie also provided given some helpful information about parenting and cyber safety.

The day included a dynamic dance performance by some of the students, after which parents had the opportunity to visit their children's classrooms. Occasions such as this are a great way for families to meet others in their community and to see for themselves the progress their children are making in learning English.

Out and About in Term 4

Room 10 Visit Faulkner Park

Room 10 students enjoyed a short walk to Faulkner Park at Graceville, where they picnicked and played in the playground. This excursion provided a shared experience for students to practice recount writing. Annie from Room 10 demonstrates her skill in using sequencing words

On Tuesday, Room 10 had an excursion to go outside the school together. We went to Faulkner Park with Ms. Fiona, Ms. Crystal and Mr. Alan at 9:00 am.

First, we started at Room 10 and walked 15 minutes to Faulkner Park. Then, we came to a playground. Next, some people played on the swings, some people played badminton, some people played football, and some people played on the flying fox.

Secondly, we took photos under the big shady tree. Next, we ate some fruit, cookies and tap water. Later, we went to a big river and saw some water dragon lizards. I was very scared, but we were very interested. Finally, we walked back to Milpera and prepared for our next lesson.

After we went to Faulkner Park with Ms. Fiona, Ms. Crystal and Mr. Alan, we felt very tired because the weather was very hot. But we had a good time at the excursion and it was a wonderful day at school!

Room 15 Visit New Farm Park

Three Senior Post Beginner classes enjoyed a day at New Farm Park, travelling by bus and ferry. This experience formed the basis for practising recount writing. Shawn from Room 15 described the experience. It is clear that the students enjoyed this excursion very much!

On Monday we went to New Farm Park with Room 21 and Room 24. We went on this excursion to help us to learn English and to have a new experience together.

First, we gathered together with all the students. Then we walked quickly to Chelmer Station, where we waited patiently. A short time later the train arrived and we travelled to Milton Station. Then we walked carefully to the Ferry terminal.

At the Ferry terminal we took photos of all the students together. A short time later the ferry came. We hopped on the ferry and enjoyed the beautiful view. It was a long ferry ride. We chatted to our friends and took photos with Shawn’s amazing camera. We saw many skyscrapers, the Story Bridge and some amazing and wonderful mansions.

After that, we arrived at New Farm Park. We walked along the path to the gazebo. It looked like it was going to rain so we tried to sit undercover at the gazebo, but it was closed. So, we continued to walk to the playground. Then we ate morning tea and talked to our friends. Some students climbed the rope ladder and some students bought food at kiosk and fed the birds.

A short time later, we played games on the grassy field. Some students played volleyball and some students played soccer. After that we played tunnel ball and leader ball with all students. We came second. It was so fun!

Finally, we walked back to the Ferry terminal and waited for the ferry. At last it arrived, and we got on the ferry. We all felt tired but happy. Next, we got the train back to school. It was a big day!

Room 21 Trip to Queensland Museum and Southbank

On Thursday 21st of November, room 21 went on an excursion to the Queensland Museum and Southbank.

This excursion was guided by our work on recount, scientific classification and narrative units we have been working on in class this term. We started off our day at Queensland Museum, where we enjoyed the anzac gallery, dinosaur, first nations memorial and animals of Queensland exhibitions.

Following that, we took a walk along the river to Southbank, where we had lunch together and recreated the illustrations from our class narrative ‘Blue Water’ using our photography skills. Students worked extremely well together and demonstrated all of Milpera’s values throughout the whole day. A credit to our school community.

Thank you to Miss Turner, Mr Tim and Ms. Zakya for helping us to facilitate this experience.

Room 6 Visit to Coochiemudlo Island

Room 6 students, Miss Wadley, Miss Iliana and Mr Hossein came to Coochiemudlo Island for an excursion in Week 7. They explored the island throughout the whole day, learning about the local wildlife and the history of the Quandamooka people. This was to help students learn how to write a recount about the day for their assessments. Everyone had an amazing day!

Room 19 Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

By Mozammil Yawaari

On Friday Miss Rosie and Mr Duc and Room 16 students went to Lone Pine for an excursion, because we have been writing information reports on Australian animals.

First, we got in the school bus and Mr Hussain drove the bus to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Then we talked with someone named Nadia. She tells us what we needed to do inside Lone Pine. Then we went in side and we saw rainbow lorikeets gave them some food and then we kept walking. Then we saw kangaroos we gave them some food.                    

 After that, we saw an emu and he walked on the ground. Then we saw wombats, koalas, rabbits, hens, baby chicks, sheep donkey and a pig. Next, we went to the sheep dog show. Then we ate our morning tea and we went through an amphibian room where we saw tree frogs, python snake and another snake. Then we saw Dingo and brown eagle. Then, we went to eat our lunch and we thought, “Where is Mathew?” and then Miss Rosie ran to find him.

After lunch we went to the free flight raptor show. At the flight raptor show we saw an Australian white sea eagle and a barking owl. After that we went again to the amphibian room and we went to watch the platypus and cockatoos. The cockatoos were talking.                                                                                                                 

Then we went to exit door and we took picture with big statue of a koala. Finally, we got in a bus. It was a very lovely day of an excursion with room 16.

Mental Health Week at Milpera

Mental Health Week was celebrated at Milpera with classroom and lunchtime activities designed to help students recognise when they might need help to relax and prioritise their mental wellbeing. Activities such as Zumba dancing, chess and games in the library, rock painting, pavement chalk and face painting kept students engaged at lunch times. The week culminated in a BBQ lunch organised by the student leaders. 

Celebrating Past Students

Former student, Rika Hirose (2023) recently competed in Hungary and Slovenia in the Cadet European Cup for Judo, winning gold in both competitions. This follows on from Rika's success in August, winning two gold medals in the Macau Cadet Asian Cup. Rika's sister Rio was also successful in this competition, but unfortunately an ACL injury has prevented further her from participating in further competitions. Milpera congratulates both Rika and Rio on their achievements and hopes that Rio recovers well from her surgery and is back competing very soon.