My weekly series about neurodiversity explores Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how we can better understand children with this condition. ASD is a developmental disability that affects how a child perceives, communicates and interacts with others and the world around them. While it can present challenges, it can also be an integral part of a child's personality, and we must celebrate their diversity.

"People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. There is often nothing about how they look that sets them apart from other people.  The abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly. For example, some people with ASD may have advanced conversation skills whereas others may be nonverbal. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support." (CDC, 2023)

We can show our support by celebrating the strengths and talents of children with ASD. They have a unique perspective on the world that can often lead to amazing insights and creativity. Indeed, many children and adults have benefited greatly from viewing the world through their ASD 'lens'. As our understanding of ASD only started emerging halfway through the 20th century, there has been speculation about historical figures who displayed autistic characteristics, including:

• Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist
• Albert Einstein – Scientist & Mathematician
• Bobby Fischer – Chess Grandmaster
• Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation
• Thomas Jefferson – Early American Politician
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Classical Composer
• Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, Astronomer, & Physicist
• Steve Jobs – Former CEO of Apple
• Nikola Tesla – Inventor

More recently, some well-known people have spoken openly about their ASD diagnosis: 

• Daryl Hannah - Actress
• Dan Aykroyd – Comedic Actor
• Melanie Sykes - UK TV Presenter
• Tim Burton – Movie Director
• Anthony Hopkins - Actor
• Helen Hoang - Author

By nurturing children with ASD and their interests and abilities, we can help them feel more confident, fulfilled, and ultimately successful.

At school, teachers use visual aids and social stories to help explain concepts, and parents can work with the school to create an individual learning plans that outlines the specific goals and accommodations their child needs.

Finally, we must encourage a culture of kindness in our school. We should all strive to be more understanding and accepting of others, and create a supportive environment where all students feel valued and appreciated. By showing empathy, celebrating their strengths, and creating a supportive environment, we can all help children with ASD succeed and reach their full potential.

- Mr Mark Stevens, Head of Primary

Certificate II in Active Volunteering students in year 10 are working hard towards achieving their 20 hours of volunteering required by spending one hour per week reading with years one, two and four students.  This is a great way to build reading confidence for the younger students and also for our older and younger students to get to know each other. 

Year 10 are also very excited to be helpers for the Prep-year 6 cross country next week

Mrs Peita Parker-Browne

This week's featured image is a group shot of some of our Year 11 students testing themselves on their camp this week. An article and more photos from the camp will be shared next week.

On Thursday our Year 12’s Drama class did their IA1 performance for their first assessment piece of the year. Their performance was from David Campton’s, The Cagebirds. Mr Fern’s Year 7 Drama class is on at the same time and so the 12’s invited them to come along and watch their performance. The year 7’s loved it so much they begged for an encore and the 12’s ended up doing it twice for them. The Year 12’s were also assisted by Year 9 student Will F to do their lighting for their performance to which he did a fantastic job. A big congratulations to all involved on such a wonderful performance and experience for our Year 7’s. 

Miss Chanel Fletcher

A big congratulations to Holly and Jordan on the recent completion of their traineeships. Holly and Jordan have both completed a Certificate III in Hospitality while working at The Outpost in Canungra.  Students were required to complete training modules in the certificate and 750 hours of paid work in order to gain their certificate.  

Well done Holly and Jordan!

Mrs Peita Parker Browne

The Prep team held a wonderful Literacy Information Workshop earlier this week. Topics included:

What is literacy?

How can you help at home?

How do we teach literacy at TMC?

Thank you to those enthusiastic parents who attended and to our fabulous Teacher Aide team who supervised students while we presented. Ms Ryall and Ms Hiron did an outstanding job of helping educate our parents on how important literacy is and how we can make it fun at home!

We will be holding a Year 1-3 literacy session in Week 6 of Term 2 for parents of those year levels.

Mrs Kelly Pavey-Learning Enhancement Specialist

Our students have enjoyed watching the giant pumpkin grow. They have also started planting carrot seeds and will be continuing planting more vegetables during the year.

Mr Trevor Jamieson

Starting on Tuesday March 7th and continuing on every Tuesday for the rest of the term, students in Years 2-6 will be undertaking a Soccer Program run by Soccer/Football Australia. This will take place over 35 minute sessions, with students being exposed to skills and drills from the program's representatives. Students are reminded to wear their sport uniforms, hats and bring a water bottle. 

Mr Luke Bourke

In year 5 the students are learning about how to write an exciting fantasy narrative. In the photos they are researching how inspirational writer J.K. Rowling uses literary devices to make the Harry Potter books so well loved by so many readers. By learning from the best they will soon be ready to make their own stories a lot more suspenseful and mysterious. I can't wait to read them.

Mr Robert Schönherr

In Grade 4 we have been busy creating dioramas. Our learning intention is to investigate how living things take shelter in their environment.

We have been using our creativity to make all sorts of different environments out of everyday objects. On Thursday we ended our lesson with a Gallery Walk and a reflection, in which we observed each other's work and compared our ideas. The students noted that our diogramas are all special and unique, just like us, and just like the many environments that exist on our planet! This has led us to have some wonderful and rich discussions. 

Well done Grade 4! Keep up the fantastic work. 

Ms Millicent Huber

Year 3 is getting ready for the Cross Country run next Friday! In our weekly PE lessons (combined with year 4), we have been working hard to improve our athletic skills. From running faster to jumping higher to working as a team, the students have been showing great dedication to pushing themselves to new levels of fitness and athleticism.

Way to go Year 3!

Mrs Julie Sands and Mrs Martine Kramer

In year 5 the students are learning a lot about their own solar system. Each student has chosen one of our eight planets to build a settlement on. They were having great discussions about the local circumstances such as, weather, sunlight, surface and temperature to find out ways to overcome issues and make the planet liveable. Some are still researching, some are designing and some have started building their settlements.

Mr Robert Schönherr

We had a beautiful visitor in the Prep playground today at lunch. One of our Prep students noticed that there was a green tree frog on the fence. It had quite the following throughout the lunch break and children decided to bring it some water in case it was thirsty. How lucky are we here on the Mountain to see fabulous wildlife like this little one! 

Mrs Kelly Pavey- Learning Enhancement Specialist

Alyssa C, Year 10, completed her spray paint artwork with outstanding results!

Ms Jenny Radley

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