Mount Ommaney Special School Grieves Loss of Sandra and Peter Schuptar

A Mount Ommaney Special School teacher and her husband were killed when their motorbike collided with a four-wheel drive at Carbrook, near Brisbane.



The tragic accident occurred on Sunday, 5 January 2025, at around 7:30 p.m., at the intersection of Mount Cotton and Coorang Roads. Sandra Schuptar, 65, and her husband Peter, 63, both residents of Cornubia, were riding their Honda Goldwing motorcycle when the crash happened.

Emergency services treated the couple for severe injuries, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Community in Mourning

Sandra was a prominent figure at Mount Ommaney Special School, where she was the head of the Early Childhood Development Program and Special Education Services. The school described her as a dedicated educator who made everyone feel welcome and valued. Colleagues and parents expressed their heartbreak at the loss, with one parent recalling how Sandra had been a source of unwavering support for families of children with special needs.

The school community issued a statement describing the news of her death as a shock, leaving them “heartbroken beyond belief.” Tributes also came from neighbouring special schools and the Queensland Association of Special Education Leaders, which highlighted her significant contribution to the field of special education.

Remembering the Couple’s Contributions

Beyond her professional achievements, Sandra, along with her husband Peter, was an active member of the local Jewish community. The couple organised prayer groups and led trips to Israel, leaving an indelible impact on those around them. Friends remembered them as caring and generous individuals who brought people together.

Peter, who was well-known for his involvement in local transport services, shared his wife’s passion for community service. Together, they were remembered as compassionate leaders who touched many lives through their work and personal connections.

Investigation Underway

The driver of the Nissan Patrol, a 21-year-old Carbrook man, was unharmed in the crash. Queensland Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, urging anyone with information, including dashcam footage, to come forward.

A Lasting Legacy

Sandra and Peter Schuptar’s sudden passing has left a profound void in the communities they served. Their dedication to education, family support, and faith continues to resonate with those who knew them.



The Mount Ommaney Special School community plans to honour their memory in the coming weeks as they navigate this time of grief.

Published 9-January-2025

Mount Ommaney Special School Teacher Wins Prestigious TEACHX Award

A senior teacher from Mount Ommaney Special School has been honoured with a prestigious TEACHX Award, recognising her transformative contributions to inclusive education and cultural awareness at the school.



Emma Reid’s Impact at Mount Ommaney Special School

Emma Reid, a dedicated educator at Mount Ommaney Special School, was recognised for her outstanding efforts in bringing specialised non-verbal drama practices to the school, a unique approach designed for students with intellectual and multiple disabilities. 

In 2022, she organised a collaboration with the UK-based Open Theatre Company, leading to a two-week residency that introduced the technique to students. Ms Reid secured funding from Brisbane to make this initiative possible, and the program has since become a key part of the school’s curriculum.

Ms Reid has continued to spread this non-verbal drama practice across Queensland, earning a Creative Fellowship from the city in 2024 to further her studies in England with the Open Theatre Company. Her innovative work in the creative arts field has gained attention beyond the school, with Mount Ommaney Special School becoming a finalist in the Sydney Opera House Play Awards.

Emma Reid Mount Ommaney Special School
Photo Credit: QCT.Edu.Au

Advancing Cultural Awareness

In addition to her contributions to the performing arts, Ms Reid has been instrumental in promoting cultural awareness at Mount Ommaney Special School. She was a founding member of the school’s Reconciliation Action Committee and chaired it for several years. 

Under her leadership, the school developed a visually and linguistically accessible Acknowledgement of Country, which has been integrated into the daily practices of the school’s classrooms.

Ms Reid also played a key role in enhancing the school library by facilitating the acquisition of Indigenous resources and coordinating the creation of two murals with a local Indigenous family. One of the murals, titled “Learning on Country,” now holds a prominent place in the school’s library, reflecting her commitment to embedding Indigenous culture into the school environment.

Recognition at the TEACHX Awards

The Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) TEACHX Awards, held annually, celebrate educators across the state for their innovation and dedication. 

Ms Reid’s contributions at Mount Ommaney Special School will be acknowledged as part of the Excellence in Teaching category during a ceremony in Brisbane on 24 October 2024. 



The awards, which highlight teachers from various sectors and regions of Queensland, aim to inspire and recognise educators who go above and beyond for their students.

Published 10-Oct-2024

Work Begins on the New $7.7 Million Building for Mount Ommaney Special School

Mount Ommaney Special School (MOSS) is getting a new $7.7-million state-of-the-art, multi-storey building. Minister for Education and Industrial Relations Grace Grace facilitated the groundbreaking ceremony on 28th of June 2019 with MP for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh, Principal Wayne Wilkinson and the architects.

The new building will have four classrooms on the second level, a therapy space, multi-skills rooms, an industrial kitchen and laundry section, an outdoor learning area, staff area, a commercial kitchenette, a store and other amenities. An undercroft area on the ground level will also be allotted for additional classrooms and further expansion. 

The outdoor learning area is particularly special as it will have sensory gardens and a food garden, which will cater to the school’s vocational programs. These facilities have been designed to create a better environment for the students to learn and develop their skills, as well as experience new things. 

Photo Credit: DR


The new school building will also create more engagement between the school, the students and the community. It has a target completion date of March 2020.

“This learning centre will be a game-changer for the school and I can’t wait to see the smiles on the students’ faces when it opens next year,” Mr Pugh said.  



Deicke Richards (DR) has been commissioned to develop and build the new MOSS learning centre. Architects of the firm have closely consulted with school officials to integrate facets that will provide for the students’ needs. 

“This facility will add significant value to our school, assist with enrolment capacity and greatly assist our ever-growing vocational education programs,” Mr Wilkinson relayed. 

Mount Ommaney Special School Celebrates Its Silver Anniversary

Mount Ommaney Special School will be holding its 25th anniversary on the 13th of November starting at 9:30 a.m.

Established in 1992, the school now has close to a hundred students. In celebration of their Silver Anniversary, the school will also pay tribute to their principal, Ian Lowe, who has presided over the faculty for almost 20 years. To recognise his dedication and service to the school, a playground will be named after him, to be officially launched in his honour on that day as well.

There will also be a showcase of photos and artefacts that show the school being built. The current Principal, Susan Christensen, is excited for their anniversary and very eager to see what lies for them in the future.

The school has won numerous awards through the years. In 2015, the school was awarded a regional Award for Inclusive Practices by Showcase Awards. In 2014, they also won an award for Excellence in Community Partnerships in recognition for their drama program.

Part of the school’s vision for the future is to have each student communicate independently through a system where technology will play a significant role.