Milpera News - September 2025
Message from our Principal, Ms Julie Peel
Dear Parents and Carers,
Another Term will come to an end this Friday. Our students, the sisters and brothers of Milpera have had a great term.
Fabulous language learning activities have included School Camp and a number of different excursions. Students experience a rapid growth in their English Language after camps. They have an important role in supporting both settlement and language. Adolescents learn language quickly when they learn in context and excursions are an extremely important part of our classroom learning. Congratulations to all students for their work this term.
Thank you to all parents who were able to attend the Parent and Carer Meetings to receive their child’s report. It is important to celebrate your child’s successes, however small or big they may be, encouragement helps students to grow to be at their very best.
Please continue to ask your students to be safe on roads and on Public Transport, especially in the holidays.
Some key messages for you to reinforce at home are:
- Using pedestrian crossings
- Look Left, right, left when crossing roads
- Show bus tickets and greet drivers
I would like to congratulate the students who have finished their Milpera Program and wish them well for the future. I would also like to thank our entire staff for their commitment to the delivery of the best on arrival English Language Program.
Milpera is a place of kindness, care, hard work and success.
Have a great holiday students!
Message from our Deputy Principal, Mr Sam Dilly
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our students have been working hard to develop their English language this term and have engaged in a range of learning experiences in and out of the classroom. I am always so impressed by how far our students go with their language in such a short amount of time.
Water Safety
Next term we will be running our Water Safety program at Dunlop Park Pool in Corinda from Weeks 2 – 6. Learning to be safe in and around water is extremely important in Australia, and this program is a key part of our curriculum at Milpera. Each class in Level 1 and Level 2 will have two lessons each week and students will learn how to enter the water safely, how to exit the pool, and how to perform a rescue. Students will need to bring a towel, their swimming clothes and a plastic bag for wet clothes. The purpose of the program is to prepare students Thank you for supporting your child to participate in our Water Safety program in Term 4.
Exiting students
We are all very proud of our students who continue to work hard to grow their English and settle into this new country. I would like to wish the Exiting students farewell and good luck as they continue their education after Milpera. I cannot wait to hear about all the amazing things you are going to achieve.
Thank you for your continued support throughout Term 3. I hope everyone has a safe and restful Spring holiday.
Teacher Aide Appreciation Week
In recognition of Teacher Aide Appreciation Week September 1st -5th, Milpera School took a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of our teacher aides. Teacher aides play a vital role in supporting both teachers and students every day.
Their dedication, patience, and kindness help create a positive and inclusive learning environment. From assisting with classroom activities to offering one-on-one support, teacher aides are truly an essential part of our school community.
Thank you to all of our teacher aides for your hard work and commitment—you make a difference in ways big and small, and we are so grateful for everything you do!
Family Link Day
Milpera hosted a meaningful Family Link Day for our Rohingya mothers, grandmothers, and carers. Thank you, Ms Jacki and Ms Olena, for coordinating the day, so our families are well informed on health literacy, available services, and support from Centrelink and Medicare.
Our Principal, Ms Peel, highlighted the importance of cultural commonality, school readiness, and our camp and swimming programs in supporting settlement. A special touch was having an ex-Milpera student from 2011 act as an interpreter, bridging languages and cultures.
Bicycle program
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our instructors, Michael and Jan, for empowering our students every Wednesday with essential bike riding skills and road safety knowledge. Your expertise, patience, and encouragement are helping our students build confidence and independence on two wheels.
A special shoutout to Bikes 4 Life Inc. for generously providing each student with a bike, helmet, bell, bicycle lock, and tyre pump to keep at the end of the program.
We also want to express our gratitude to Rotary for their valuable contributions and to Mr. Brad for coordinating this incredible program here at Milpera. Together, you’re making a real difference in our students’ lives!
Excursions
Stanley River
Over three days, Rooms 7, 14, 20, and 21 engaged in outdoor activities like canoeing and damper making. They built new friendships and made connections with the school, the camp and one another. The students and their families put their trust in Milpera to be looked after over these three days. We hope they gained a greater sense of confidence as new Australians.
Mt Coot-tha
Room 9 enjoyed an exciting day out exploring Mt Coot-tha Lookout, JC Slaughter Falls Picnic Area, and the Botanical Gardens. The students took the bus to the lookout before hiking the Summit Track down to the picnic area, experiencing nature firsthand.
A highlight of the day was the visit to the Tropical Dome, where students were especially engaged and inspired. This excursion provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect with each other and reconnect with the natural world and enjoy the beauty of our local environment.
Recount writing from Room 9.
Indigenous Literacy Day
Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD) in Australia is an annual event held on the first Wednesday in September to celebrate and promote the importance of literacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The theme for this year is "Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations". This day celebrates the rich stories, cultures, and languages of First Nations peoples and raises awareness about literacy challenges faced by remote Indigenous communities.
In honour of this special day, Milpera held a whole-school picnic and to show our support for the Literacy Foundation, everyone was invited to wear red, yellow, or black clothing. Gold coin donations were welcomed to help provide vital literacy resources to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
Together, we celebrated literacy and made a difference.
Destination School Lunch
On 9 September, exiting students from Milpera had the opportunity to meet representatives from their future schools as part of a dedicated transition program. Over a shared lunch, students connected with staff from their new schools, helping to ease anxieties and spark excitement for the next chapter in their educational journey.
To support a more inclusive and welcoming environment, teachers also participated in a cultural awareness session. This gave them valuable insights into the backgrounds and experiences of the students they will be welcoming.
The program not only answered students' questions but also fostered a sense of belonging, ensuring the transition is a positive and empowering experience for all involved.
Parent - Teachers Meeting
Parent-teacher meetings were held on 10th September. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss a child’s academic progress, strengths, and areas needing improvement. These meetings help align support strategies at home and school, ultimately enhancing the student’s overall development and motivation. Regular interactions through such meetings build trust and create a supportive environment for the student's success.
Adopt-a-Cop Program
Milpera is thrilled to welcome our Adopt-a-Cop, Senior Constable Lisa from Sherwood Police Station, along with Police Liaison Officers Aulia, Hamza, Maninder, and Augustino from Inala and Mount Gravatt stations.
As part of the Adopt-a-Cop program, our special guests spoke with students about community safety, building trust, and what it’s like working for the Queensland Police Service.
Students had a fantastic opportunity to ask questions, learn more about law enforcement, and connect with officers in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Thank you to our officers for taking the time to engage with our school and help strengthen the bond between police and young people.
Exit Assembly
Believing in yourself is the first step toward success
Students from Rooms 6, 17 and 22 - as you leave the familiar rooms of Milpera and step into the exciting world of higher education, remember this: your dreams are the compass that will guide you through new challenges and opportunities. Believe in them wholeheartedly. They are not just wishes, but powerful visions of what you can achieve.
Milpera was honoured to have Senator Paul Scarr, Senator for Queensland join our assembly and present certificates to our students.
Our Principal, Ms. Peel, encouraged exiting students to find their voice and urged those remaining to work hard, keep learning English, and prepare for the future. She reminded all to value their identity, stay strong, care for one another, and always keep their language close.
The day was filled with lots of music, singing, dancing, drumming and circus performances. We are glad that you have made lasting memories at Milpera.
Kelvin from Room 17 received the Peace Shield Award for Term 3
Key dates
Key dates for Term 4
