Welcome to the start of what promises to be an exciting and productive year here at Gympie Special School. I cannot believe we are already at week 5 and nearly half way through term one, however as we step into this new academic year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic energy and enthusiasm that our students, staff, and community have brought into 2025.

We’ve had a smooth and positive start, with our students already settling into their routines, eager to learn and grow. It’s always a joy to see the excitement in their faces as they embark on another year of discovery and achievement. Our staff has worked incredibly hard to ensure that our school environment is one that promotes both academic and personal growth for all learners.

One of the exciting developments for our school this year is the continuation of Team Teach Training. This training initiative is focused on enhancing our ability to work together more effectively as a team, ensuring that our teaching methods are collaborative, innovative, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students. We are committed to providing our educators with the tools to stay safe and strategies necessary to foster a positive, inclusive classroom environment. This training is an essential part of our professional growth, and we are looking forward to seeing the positive impact it will have across all year levels.

In addition to Team Teach, our school-wide student free professional development days were a great success. We recognise that the best outcomes for our students happen when our staff is continuously learning and developing. This year, our professional learning focus will be on building teacher capacity, with specific attention to differentiated instruction, reading initiatives, and enhancing student engagement. We believe that by investing in our staff, we are creating a strong foundation for success that will benefit all students.

We are looking forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and collaboration, and I am confident that together, we will achieve great things.

Here’s to a successful 2025!

Phil Whatt

Deputy Principal