A place to belong

From the moment Mason walked through the St Bernard’s Primary School, Upper Mount Gravatt gates as a Prep student, his family hoped for what every family does, a place to be known, supported and genuinely welcomed.

Mason, a student with Down syndrome, is supported by a team of staff including a Support Teacher – Inclusive Education (STIE), School Based Speech Pathologist, a Guidance Counsellor, private therapists, classroom teachers and school officers.

Together they work with Mason’s family to ensure he can access and participate in education with his peers.

For his mum, Roukea, the school has been incredibly positive from the very start when enrolling Mason.

“Having the Principal say ‘it would be an honour to have Mason at our school’ gave me immediate confidence that I was choosing the right school for him,” Roukea said.

“I felt heard, supported and genuinely welcomed. There was a strong sense that they truly cared about Mason as an individual.”

Together, the team work collaboratively to plan, implement and regularly adjust his individual curriculum and Personalised Support Plans, as well as consult with Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Queensland.

A key member of Mason’s support team is St Bernard’s Primary School STIE, Tanya Carlos, who has known him for much of his schooling journey.

“I have been privileged to teach Mason, first as his Prep teacher, then again in Year 3 and now alongside the Student Support Team in an STIE role.”

“Since Year 2, Mason has been working on an Individual Curriculum Plan that runs alongside his peers. He is learning the same topics and content, but through developmentally appropriate experiences tailored to best support his needs.”

Having a child with additional needs naturally comes with concerns and unknowns, but those worries were consistently met with reassurance, clarity and trust from staff.

“Like any child, Mason has had moments where things have been challenging, but staff approach every situation with patience, understanding, and a genuine desire to support him,” Roukea said.

“They give him grace when he needs it, but they truly believe in him. They see him for who he is, not just his diagnosis and that is something I am constantly grateful for.”

That support also means meeting Mason where he is and stepping into his world.

“Each year, we tailor his learning and adjustments to include his personal interests including farm animals, or playing barber shop, vets or doctors,” Tanya said.

“They don’t try to fit him into a box and never shut down his interests. They find ways to incorporate them into his learning,” Roukea adds.

As a result, Mason has become an active and joyful participant in the St Bernard’s community.

“He is truly one of the most social and friendly students,” Tanya said.

“He loves kicking the ball with his friends, playing ‘teacher’ with our Year 2 students and he’s always ready with a fist bump or high five.”

For Roukea, watching Mason form friendships, actively participate in school life and feel a genuine sense of belonging has been deeply meaningful.

“As a parent, there is nothing more important than knowing your child is safe, understood, and supported,” Roukea said.

“I am so grateful for the role the staff play in his life, and we are incredibly lucky to be a part of this community.”