Our teaching staff are committed to assisting every child reach full potential and to provide learning experiences that increase our pedagogical principles of access, engagement, participation and advocacy. We pride our school on being a lighthouse for specialised programming in communication, Mobility Opportunities Via Education/Experience (MOVE) and senior schooling practices.
The school has a strong focus on the use of technology with every classroom having an interactive whiteboard, a range of voice adaptive devices, assistive technology and computers. Mudgeeraba Special School has a strong philosophical framework for all our students to access communication, literacy and numeracy resources at their level while utilising their interests.
We provide a range of signature programs.
A multi-sensory environment (Snoezelen Room) students to desensitise their complex worlds, provide life like experiences for calming therapies.
Our motor therapy in class programs to assist with coordination, fitness and gross motor skills.
A bicycle track, two inbuilt trampolines and two secure playgrounds ensuring students are able to develop gross motor, play and social skills.
The Music Rhythm 2 Recovery provides a space for staff to support classes with music therapy based experiences.
E Block Living skills and Q Block Hospitality venues supports our hospitality programs of providing “coffee shop” and catering skills in a functional kitchen and alfresco space.
A strong community and family spirit is a central part of our school culture. The school prides itself on the relationships that exist between the students, parents/carers staff and the local community. Our P&C and School Council are very active and provide mechanisms for parents to network and be involved in decision making processes. We have a Community Liaison Officer and School Chaplain who are committed to supporting our families and make links to community services to empower them in all they hope to provide for their children. A My Time Facilitator for families professional Learning
First International Glasser Quality Special School
In September 2022 we were declared a Glasser Quality School (GQS). We are the first Glasser Quality Special School in Australia and the world. The other Quality State Schools are Sunshine Beach State School and Peregian Springs State School.
A Glasser Quality School actively builds quality relationships, encourages quality work from all, provides a need-satisfying environment and aims to encourage all learners and staff to achieve to their potential (find out about Glasser Quality Schooling here:https://wglasser.com/practice-areas/education/
A GQS operates with Choice Theory as its psychological base. We have adopted the Get Happier School Project as the student framework.
Choice Theory states:
- The only person's behaviour I can control is my own (trying to control others ruins the relationships I need)
- Behaviour is always purposeful and chosen (and is our best attempt at the time to satisfy our Basic Needs)
- I choose everything I do (and practically all I think). My emotions and physiology are a direct result of those choices
- We are internally driven by our genes to satisfy our Basic Needs (Survival, Love & Belonging, Power, Freedom, Fun & Enjoyment)
- I can change what I'm doing and thinking if it isn't getting me what I need
- Each person is responsible for his / her behaviour
- Many long-lasting psychological problems are relationship problems
How We Use This Information
Choice Theory underpins everything we do at Mudgeeraba State Special School. Quality relationships are our focus.
Helping our learners understand how and why they behave and how they can take more effective control of their lives is part of every class, every day through Get Happier School.
Some of the ways we do this are:
- Many staff are trained in Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management
- Implementing our whole-school social and emotional literacy curriculum through Get Happier School, with explicit lessons and experiences taught across all year levels enabling children to lead more effective lives
- Helping our learners to identify and balance their Basic Needs through Quality World Inventory
- Helping our learners to grow from requiring co-management involving adults to being responsibly self-managed
- Choice Theory, William Glasser, 1998
- Take Charge of Your Life: How to get What You Need with Choice Theory Psychology, William Glasser, 2013
- For Parents and Teenagers, Dissolving the Barrier Between You and Your Teen, William Glasser, 2003
- The Quality School, William Glasser, 1998
- Counselling with Choice Theory, William Glasser, 2001
- Staying Together, William Glasser, 1996