‘Miracle’ baby among Dalby South State School starting class

Born 14 weeks premature and weighing less than a kilogram, a Dalby mum was thrilled to see her ‘miracle son’ join Dalby South State School’s prep cohort to start school in 2024. See the photos of the cute arrivals here.

Noah Mandall will start Prep this year. Picture: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

Dalby South State School welcomed a cohort of 80 prep students on Monday morning, with many smiling faces ready to begin their schooling journey.

Students were nervous and excited as they walked with their parents through the school gates and into their classrooms for the first time.

See the slideshow of Dalby South State School preps below.

But, among the cohort, there was one particularly incredible child.

Born 14 weeks premature, weighing just 936g, Noah Mandall was born on September 21 2017 and spent the first months of his life fighting for survival in the Mater Mothers’ Hospital neonatal critical care unit.

Now six years old, Noah is a student in the new prep cohort. Autistic and non-verbal, Noah has continuing sensory issues for which he requires regular care at the Mater children’s therapy feeding clinic but was looking forward to making friends with his new classmates.

Noah Mandall, who was born 14 weeks premature, started school on Monday at Dalby South State School. Picture: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

Noah’s mother Jodie Callaghan, 37, said she was in awe of her son’s determination.

“Despite the numerous medical appointments, Noah is a very happy little guy. He’s so social and he’s absolutely going to love making new friends,” she said.

“He loves to learn, and numbers and letters bring him joy.”

Ms Callaghan said her “miracle son” was diagnosed with hyperlexia, which often presents as an obsessive interest in letters and numbers.

“When he was three years old he was spelling the words elephant and dolphin via an app on his iPad,” she said.

“I went into preterm labour and was flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service from my local hospital to Mater Mothers’ before Noah arrived at 26 weeks into my pregnancy.

“He was on the bigger side when he was born but had a pneumothorax in both lungs (collapsed lungs) and needed a chest tube.

“During Noah’s time in hospital he also required three blood transfusions. He was on oxygen for four months when he came home from hospital, but he’s just kept fighting.”

Ms Callaghan said Noah attends the Mater Children’s Therapy Feeding Clinic every fortnight to assist with his continued sensory issues.

“The Mater therapy team is trying to get him to try new foods as he’s on a specialised formula,” she said.

The community have also contributed photos of their school kids of all ages, from first days, to last first days. See the photos below.

Originally published as ‘Miracle’ baby among Dalby South State School starting class