Milpera News - May 2025

Message from our Principal, Ms Julie Peel

Dear Parents, 

Over the past couple of weeks, it has been a pleasure to meet with so many parents.

I often have the opportunity to meet with new parents and parents who have children who are transitioning out of the school.

Being a parent is one of the most difficult and challenging jobs in the world, but we know how much joy it also brings.

Milpera parents face many challenges, especially as families reconnect or blend after years apart. Many are also adjusting to a new life in Australia, adding to the complexity. We acknowledge how hard it is and want all parents to know that we have an excellent team of teachers and support staff who are here for you and are able to help you work through challenging questions and experiences.

Despite these changes and challenges, our students make great gains at Milpera and we are very proud of the work that we do together. Every week a past student returns to say 'hello' and tell us of their successes.

We have many wonderful experiences coming up, please ensure that your child is ready to participate. Our activities and learning experiences have been specifically designed to meet the needs of new arrivals. They are fun and full of the best language learning activities. After camps, our students increase their speaking and listening quite extensively and this directly supports reading and writing.

Once again, I remind all parents that our doors are open and we welcome all parents into our school. Please don’t hesitate to contact us about anything you would like to discuss. Please continue to encourage your child with positive feedback about their efforts. We look forward to working with you over the next few weeks.

Message from our Deputy Principal, Mr Sam Dilly

Reconciliation Week

At Milpera, we regularly share with our students and community that for thousands of years, the First Nations people cared for the land our school stands on. As we head towards Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), our teachers have been sharing First Nations stories, music and art with our students. Students will be sharing their art at the Benarrawa Sorry Day Ceremony on Monday, 27 May.

Our Acknowledgement of Country

In 2022, a group of staff worked with Dr Ben Wilson to develop our Acknowledgement of Country. Ben Wilson is a Jagera man and he shared stories, taught us to observe our surroundings and how to practise Daddiri, which roughly translates to "inner deep listening and quiet still awareness". Here is our Acknowledgement of Country that we share at each assembly and event:

We, the staff and students of Milpera, acknowledge and extend our gratitude to the sacred land our school stands on. Land that was cared for by the First Nations people of this place since the beginning of time. We come from all over the world, and this is the place where we learn, we play, and we gather in the shade of sacred trees to share and learn stories. While we learn and play, we are watched over by the earth kin of this place – plants, birds, animals, and insects. We extend our gratitude to them as well. Through flood and fire, storms and shine, through all seasons, we commit to caring for this place and for each other.  

Caring for Milpera

We pass the responsibility of looking after our school to our students and encourage them to be aware of their surroundings – the plants, birds, animals, and insects. Part of this responsibility is putting our rubbish in the correct bins, so that it doesn’t end up in our waterways. We encourage students to use the red bins for waste, the yellow bins for recycling and the green bins for bottles. We thank our students and community for caring for Milpera.

Welcome Assembly

Milpera is thrilled to welcome new students to our school community. The Welcome assembly set a positive tone for the new students, emphasizing the values that shape our school community. Students were reminded of the importance of kindness in their words and actions, respect for themselves and others, being ready to learn with open minds, and the power of hard work in achieving their goals. It was an inspiring start, encouraging everyone to give their best and support one another throughout the term.

Anzac Day Commemoration

On 28th April, Milpera came together to commemorate Anzac Day, reflecting on the sacrifices made for our freedom. Our Principal beautifully highlighted the importance of peace, friendship and kindness, reminding us that these values are just as crucial as courage and resilience. 

Vulcana Circus

The students of Milpera are discovering new talents as they dive into an exciting world of circus. With guidance from expert trainers at Vulcana Circus, they’re learning acrobatics, juggling, hula hoops, and more. Each session brings laughter, learning, and a chance to step outside their comfort zones. Friendships are blossoming as students work together, support each other, and celebrate achievements. Most importantly, they’re building confidence and having a great time along the way.

The circus sessions are for students with parent permissions and takes place on Thursdays at the school grounds. 

National Volunteer Week

Milpera celebrated National Volunteer Week from 19-25 May. This special event highlights the important role of volunteers in our school. Volunteers add extensively to both the language learning and settlement journey of our students. Furthermore, they enable the group work so essential to communicative language learning to take place. Volunteers create lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities, and we are very appreciative of their time and services.

EQI Professional Visit: International Education Classroom Observation Empowerment

Experienced teachers from Taiwan chose to spend their school holidays travelling to Australia to perform school visits. Backed by the Taiwanese government, the visiting educators were particularly interested in our integrated approach to language and content instruction and by the graciousness of Milpera teachers were able to observe a variety of subjects. 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. It was a valuable exchange of ideas and practices, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the future.

Student achievement

Congratulations to Milana in Room 21 – Senior Level Prep 2 Class. Milana came 2^nd at the BJJ Autumn National Australian Open - Australia's premiere Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Competitions federation in Byron Bay at the weekend. We are so proud of her. Well done!

Supporting our Student's Literacy Journey

At Milpera, we are passionate about helping students develop a lifelong love for reading and writing. Our programs include 

• Support a Reader (SAR): One-on-one intensive reading support for individual students in 5- or 10-week cycle. 
• Help our Writing (HOW): Personalized writing development for students with emerging literacy skills. The red and green pathways give students the opportunities to learn about different genre and build their foundational writing.
  

Our amazing volunteers and dedicated coordinators work together with our students to make an impactful difference in their lives.

Equine program

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.

Library and e-learning centre

Milpera's school library and e-learning centre is a happy place for curious minds. Our shelves are stocked with books in English and other languages. Reading in your mother-tongue helps preserve linguistic heritage and deepens cultural connections. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to do your homework or simply want to enjoy a good book, the library is here for you. With a wide range of resources, friendly staff, and a calm environment, it's the perfect space to support the student's learning journey. 

In addition to the normal school hours, the library is open from 8:00-8:30am and 12:55-1:25pm for students to use.

School based GP and Health Nurse

Students at Milpera can access free primary healthcare at school. General Practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners work with students and their families to identify and address health issues impacting on students' engagement and learning. The service provides timely and appropriate access to healthcare for a wide range of health and mental health concerns at no cost to students or their families. GP's and nurse practitioners will provide referrals to medical specialist or other external agencies when required. 

Bus behaviour

Most students from Milpera take the bus to commute to and from the school.  The school emphasises the importance of being safe, alert and respectful while taking the bus. Some pointers to remember are :

• Cross the road using the path
• Always use the pedestrian crossing
• Look left, right, left before you cross the road
• Line up and wait for the bus. Stand back from the road.
• Say 'Hello' and 'Thank you' to the bus driver

Student Absences

Milpera is responsible for the well-being and safety of all students during school hours. It is important that parents or caregivers contact the school on any occasion where a student is absent or needs to be absent. Parents can text 0455446407 or phone the school on 3270 3222. You can also send a written message in English or home language. 

When families receive a text message from the school regarding the child's absence, please reply to the message with an appropriate reason.

If your child needs to leave school early for any reason, the school must also be contacted by phone or written letter.

Coming up! Back to Milpera Day - 31st May

We are excited to invite all past and present students to join us for "Back to Milpera Day" on Saturday, 31st May from 12-4:00 pm. It will be a fantastic day of celebration, filled with music, dance, and fun activities. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, catch up with former teachers, and relive the memories that make Milpera such a special place. The day will feature live performances, food vans, face painting, a talent show, rock climbing, and much more. Whether you're revisiting familiar faces or making new memories, we look forward to welcoming you back for a day to remember!