Mission statement
Working together, as a school, to inspire students to believe in themselves and maximise their potential for interdependence so that they can be heard in society. (MDSS Vision Statement 2014)
Values
Lesson 1 - The importance of achieving goals
When we have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and can help each other to achieve our goals.
Lesson 2 - The importance of team work
When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to feel the advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.
Lesson 3 - The importance of sharing
It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect and protect each other's unique arrangements of skills, capabilities, talents and resources.
Lesson 4 - The importance of empathy and understanding
If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.
Lesson 5 - The importance of encouragement
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and teams where there is encouragement, production is much greater. 'Individual empowerment results from quality honking'
Kids Matter
Mackay District Special School is a registered Kids Matter School. Kids Matter is a framework which unites all the people that influence children’s mental health most - families, school staff and the wider community. We have an Action Team working together to represent the whole school community and coordinate the initiative. The framework covers four components that have been shown to be highly successful in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children.
The components are:
Positive school community
Social and emotional learning for students
Working with parents and carers
Helping children with mental health difficulties
At Mackay District Special School we believe that children benefit when the important people in their lives all work together and have a shared understanding of their development and their needs.