22 April 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Welcome to Term 2. Finally our summer is waving goodbye and we can feel the cooler days starting.

With that in mind, make sure you have the correct winter uniform ready for your child. One of the issues we noticed at the end of Term 1 is about school shoes. Our school uniform policy states that black shoes are the requirement for the day uniform.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Our Parent Teacher Interviews will be conducted during weeks 2 and 3 of this term. All information was sent home to parents at the end of Term 1, however, if you missed this information and would like to schedule a time to meet with your child’s teacher, then I would encourage you to email them directly to do so.

This is a great opportunity to find out how your child is travelling along in terms of their learning and development. Report cards will be sent home at the end of this term as well.

Beautification Program

As you know, we started this program with the multiplication stairs and now we have completed the concrete art around our school. The next phase of our Beautification Program is the outdoor learning area. This is located behind our school library. It is yet to be completed, but it is looking fantastic right now.

The final part of our program will be completed during the June/July holidays and this is going to be a real treat for our students.

NAPLAN 2016

Students in Years 3 and 5 will be sitting the national testing of Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) on May 10-12.

Our students have been getting well prepared for this national assessment through the day to day learning, as well as now starting some practice moments. This is to assist our students in being prepared for the specific testing conditions and environment.

As a school wide program, we also invest time and staffing into many additional programs such as Ready Reader Parent Program, Rocket to Success Program, Daily 15, Fly In Squad to ensure that our students are getting support and/or extension throughout the school year.

We hope that our results will be received by late August, but I want our community to know that these specific results are but one moment in time, and we use this data to simply inform the next step of some of our programs.

Kokoda Challenge 2016

A very excited and eager group of our Year 6 students have been training hard for their upcoming Kokoda Challenge this year. This event will take place on Sunday 5th June in Brisbane, and our students will take on a 15km challenge.

Their training regime took a step up this past weekend, with a very fast hike up and down Mt Warning. This was a great experience for all involved, and many thanks to the parents who joined us for this event.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and this year our wonderful P&C will not only be providing the Mother’s Day Stall. There will also be a special event for the mothers, aunts, sister, grandmothers and friends of Coomera Springs.

Ladies Night is coming. On Friday May 6th the P&C have organised an event for ladies of Coomera Springs to come together and celebrate with stalls and demonstrations. Tickets are available via Flexischools. We would love to see you all there!

Thought for the Week

Martine Gill

News from Our Deputy Principals

We’re taking it in our Stride on Friday, 20 May 2016

Well it’s that time of the year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking!

Not only is walking a wonderful way to get you where you want to be, but it also gets your health – and your child’s health on the right track too. So that’s why this year Coomera Springs is once again participating in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 20 May 2016.

Walk safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.

You can teach your child the healthy habits of walking more by:

• Walking with them the whole way to school
• If they get the bus, walk past your usual stop and get on at the next stop
• If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from school and walk the rest of the way.

Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (And you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids, so please join us on Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 20 May 2016.

We have organised two alternative routes to School so please see below for the maps and keep an eye out for the posters around the school. We aim to leave each starting point at 8:15am.

Semester One Student Progress Reports

Just an early reminder that Term 2 brings about the end of Semester Student Progress Report. Reports will be e-mailed in the last week of Term 2. As always, please remember to keep your contact details up-to-date so that communications (including Reports) arrive as expected. Further information will be sent as the end of Semester nears.

Solid Pathways Excursion – By Alexis McDermott 4B

*Alexis belongs to the Quandamooka People of North Stradbroke Island. Her family’s direct tribe is the Nunukul group of people. Alexis has been selected to participate in the Solid Pathways online program. Solid Pathways is a critical and creative thinking program for high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The program enables students to develop life-long skills that will support them in achieving across all areas of the curriculum.

Hi my name is Alexis and I am Aboriginal. I do this program called Solid Pathways. I am the only one in this school who does this program. On the last Wednesday of the first term, my family and I went to The University of Queensland for an experience day. I had a really cool day. My favourite part of the day was the group activity session where I got to do Archaeological diggings with some University graduates and students. I got to dig and sift in their man made practice pits to see if I could find any ‘treasures’.

The best part of the Solid Pathways Program is that I can learn more about my culture and make new friends over Queensland.

I want to thank Mr Hartley and Mrs Gill for allowing me to do this program; I really appreciate this opportunity so much.

By Alexis McDermott

NAPLAN – 10th, 11th and 12th of May

In week five, Years Three and Five students will participate in annual NAPLAN testing process. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. These assessments are undertaken nationwide.

NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas (or ‘domains’) of:

• reading
• writing
• language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
• numeracy.

NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. Over the past week, students in Years Three and Five have engaged in some practice testing, just to familiarise them with the testing conditions that they will face on the day. Parents who have questions or concerns about their child sitting the NAPLAN tests should contact their class teacher next week. You can read more about NAPLAN here.

Our Checkmates are checking in!

Mr Penny is at the helm of our latest competitive school team. It’s not footy; it’s not tennis – its chess!

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Mr Penny runs beginners and experienced classes for students keen on playing. Later this term, Mr Penny will then take our enthusiastic band of students, 'The Checkmates', to the Coomera Rivers Chess Tournament. Playing chess results in better brain function, improved memory and cognitive abilities, strategic thinking and attention improvement. Ask your child if they have decided to be a checkmate!

ANZAC Commemorations – Monday 25th of April

Please accept our apologies for the short notice of this message. We were inadvertently left off the original email list and were only given the following details mid this week. This newsletter article also follows an email that has been distributed to parents.

Our students are encouraged to march at the Upper Coomera Anzac Day Commemoration which is being organised by the Rotary Club of Coomera Valley. All students who choose to march will join the Coomera Springs group, which will be led by our school leaders and student council reps. All students are required to be in full school uniform and parents must be in attendance for the entirety of the event.

The schedule of events is as follows:

8.00am Display of WW1 documents and history Coomera School of the Arts Hall.
Band, school and community groups begin to form in Gawler Place, off Reserve Rd.
9.00am March begins down Reserve Road and into Oxenford-Tamborine Road.
9.30am March reaches Cenotaph and joins memorial Service.
10.15am Memorial Service concludes.

Year 5 David Fleay’s Wildlife Park excursion

Year 5 are very excited about their upcoming excursion, kayaking up Tallebudgera Creek to David Fleay’s Wildlife Park! Please arrange payment as soon as possible, either by cash at the office on Fridays only or online at any time. Here are some of the exciting activities from 2015.

Taylor Haley/ Elvis Gegić/Dave Hartley

News from our Head of Special Education Services

Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Term 2!

April is Autism Awareness month. Autism spectrum Disorder, commonly known as ASD, affects how people communicate and interact with others. It affects how they make sense of the world. Autism is a developmental condition that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. People with ASD experience difficulties with communication, social interaction and restricted/repetitive interests and behaviours. For more information about Autism Awareness head to

Breaking Barriers Opening Doors Post-School Options & Disability Expo 2016

Wednesday 1st June
Logan Entertainment Centre, 170 Wembley Road, Logan Central
10.00am. to 1.30pm.

Parents, Carers and students are invited to attend the Breaking Barriers Opening Doors Expo at the Logan Entertainment Centre (LEC) on Wednesday 1st June, from 10.00am. - 1.30pm. This expo is designed to help students and families learn more about what is available after they leave school. The Expo will include Logan-based services in employment support, training, education, sport, recreation, day services and support services for people with disabilities.

In addition to the Expo, there will also be:

• The Logan Disability Awards – Presentation of awards will begin in the LEC meeting rooms at 12.45pm.
• An Exhibition of Art and Photography by people with disabilities.
• A Q&A Forum in the LEC meeting rooms from 10.30am. - 11.30am. Please bring your questions for the panel.
• Entertainment

Organised by the School Transition Officers from Education Queensland, in conjunction with Logan City Council, the National Disability Coordination Officer ,and F.I.R.S.T. (Foundation for Independence, Recreation & Social Training), this event promises to be an informative day.

The Expo is sponsored by the National Disability Coordination Officer, Horizon Foundation Inc., Life without Barriers, House With No Steps and F.I.R.S.T.

The Logan Disability Awards are sponsored by Mylestones.

For more information, refer to the web site

The Logan Entertainment Centre has free parking and is within walking distance of the Woodridge Train Station (on the Beenleigh line).

This is a free event!

News from our Guidance Officer

Worries and Anxieties: Helping Children to Cope

Children, like adults, have all sorts of strong feelings about what is happening to them. At times, the world can seem frightening or uncertain, which may create fearfulness, worry or anxiety.

Different Types of Anxiety

Fears and Phobias

Very young children often develop fears and phobias. These can be triggered by changes (going to childcare, separating from a parent), or particular things (spiders, snakes, monsters etc). Fears like these are common but with encouragement and support most children learn to overcome their anxiety.

General Anxiety

Some youngsters feel anxious most of the time for no apparent reason – it may be their temperament or may be a pattern of behaviour that is shared by other members of the family.

School-Related Anxiety

School refusal can be caused by anxiety – separating from parents, fear of bullying, problems with friendships, trouble with school work or teachers are worth investigating

Home Related Anxiety

Family problems (money issues, squabbling, separation/divorce), death of a family member or friend, harsh discipline or a traumatic experience eg burglary can be causes of anxiety (as well as depression).

What are the Signs?

• Feeling sick – stomach aches, headaches. Not being able to stomach food.
• Feeling tense, fidgety, needing to go to the toilet often
• Feeling fearful or panicky, breathless, sweaty
• Being irritable, tearful, clingy or having sleeping difficulties

Anxiety can limit a person’s experiences in life. It can contribute to lack of confidence, loneliness, health problems and learning difficulties. The emotional effects if not remedied can be long lasting.

What to do

• Talk to your child –show your child that you care and want to understand the reason for their anxiety
• Give comfort, reassurance and practical help with how to cope eg. change thinking to be more positive
• There are children’s books to help with upsetting things like divorce, death (ask your guidance officer)
• Prepare your child for changes – talk to them about what might happen and why
• For children with school/ separation anxiety, regular routines and consistency around sleep, and getting ready for school, having breakfast etc. will generally improve the outcome
• Be aware of school or family situations that may be creating worries for your child
• Be aware of your own anxiety and protect your child from taking on your woes

If your child is so anxious that they can’t cope more specialist help may be needed.

NB: At these times a talk to your school’s guidance officer or your doctor will be useful, or you could seek help through child mental health services. Through the Medicare benefits scheme access to a psychologist is available.

Adapted from Mental Health and Growing Up, 3rd Edition – Factsheets http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/mhgu/index.htm

News from our IT Department

Dear Parents and Carers,

Are you subscribed to our newsletter?

Do you see it off the website, emailed from the school or our Facebook or twitter accounts? Would you like to get it emailed to you as soon as it is released…?

Please click on the link below to receive it via email as soon as it is released!

Further into the Sign Up process is the option for you to choose your association with the school (e.g. Staff, Parent, and Student)

Alternatively, if you would like unsubscribe from the newsletter, an unsubscribe is located at the bottom of the email.

News from our PE Department

Jump Rope for Heart is HERE

It’s that time again; Jump Rope for Heart is at Coomera Springs State School. Click on the following link to register your child and begin fundraising for prizes and this great cause today!

Tim Gall/Sarah Hodder

News from our Librarian

From the IZONE

Dear Parents and Carers,

Book Club has been handed out to all students. When purchasing please complete all orders online as the library is not able to collect money. Also please make sure you click on the right school when “Looping”.

Orders need to be completed by the 26th April, 2016. If you have any problems please let me know.

Happy Reading,

Sue Marriott.

News from our Classrooms

We love to show you what is going on around our school and in our classrooms.

Prep

Daily 5

Tally Marks

Grade 1

Family Morning 1F

Aussie Animals 1C

WALT-1A

Grade 2

Ciena – Flips, slides and turns

Grade 3

Grade 6

Kokoda training 2016

News from our P&C President

New P & C Executive Team

At our annual AGM held in March we said goodbye to our existing president Natalie Cullen. We would like to thank her for her hard work over the last 2 years. Our new executive committee was voted in as below:

President – Sharon Sharp
Vice President – Maxine Cowey
Secretary – Keli Pitchford
Treasurer – Tareena Perkins.

The executive have a big year of fundraising ahead to help with the cost of adding air conditioning to our school and are eager to get stuck into it. Over the next few newsletters we will introduce you to our executive team a little more in depth.

Mother’s Day Raffle and Ladies Night Out

Raffle tickets were sent out on Tuesday to families. There are 4 great prizes up for grabs. Tickets are due back to Frankie’s Tuckerbox by Tuesday 3rd May. The winners will be drawn at our Ladies Night Out event on Friday the 6th May and winners will be notified.

Our Ladies Night Out is shaping up to be a huge event. We have over 25 stalls confirmed which will include, clothing, makeovers and so much more, Early bird tickets can be purchased for $10 on Flexischools or at Frankies Tuckerbox. This includes, entry, bubbly on arrival and nibbles whilst you browse for any last minute mother’s day gifts or shop for yourself. There will be Lucky door prizes as well as the big raffle draw.

Mother’s Day Stall

This year’s Mother’s Day stalls will be held on Wednesday the 4th and Thursday the 5th of May please keep an eye out for the email with details. We have some beautiful gifts to purchase this year.

If you a spare hour or 2 to help us out on the mornings of the stall please contact Maxine @ csssvp@gmail.com for more information.

Good bye for now

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 11th May at 6pm in the staffroom, next to the Resource Centre. We would love to see you there. If you have any questions or would like to assist the P&C in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me at pandcpresident@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

Sharon Sharp
P&C President

Community Notices

Schoolkid Bonus Announcement

Helps with education costs and is automatically paid in January and July.

Schoolkid Bonus is being phased out. The final instalment will be paid in July 2016.

Term 2 Parent to-do List:

• pay school resources fee in instalments
• find out if there is any camps/excursions to pay for this year
• what extra cost do we have to cater for extra curriculums such as sport, music instrument hire, art supplies etc.?
• join the Saver Plus you read about in the school newsletter to save for education cost, as no more school kids bonus after June 2016!!!

Upper Coomera Physio NOW OPEN

We are excited to announce the opening of our new Aqua Bump Classes please see attached flyer. If you would like to discuss the classes please feel free to call us on 5561 8111

Some of the extensive range of services available to you at UC Physio includes:

General Physiotherapy
Clinical Pilates
Osteoporosis
KIDS Physiotherapy
MASS & CAETI
Aquatic Physiotherapy
Aqua Bump
Speech Pathologist -

Now Practising at UC Physio kids therapy room– Monday, Tuesday and fortnightly Saturdays

She has extensive experience dealing with speech issues in the pre-school and school aged populations.

Self-referral or medical referrals can be accepted through UC Physio 5561 8111 (fax 55618344)

AND…

Very exciting news!!! We now have a psychologist!!!

"Sarah Gurrin is a fully registered and teacher working here on the Gold Coast. She specialises in IQ testing, Specific Learning Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She works both in schools and in private rooms to provide early intervention services, testing, diagnostic reports, classroom observations, assistance with funding applications and individual learning programs, feedback to parents, teachers and aides and other professionals to help provide a comprehensive service that will benefit the child. Medicare and Private Health Fund rebates are available on most services. She uses the most up to date assessment tools including the new WISC-V on iPad. She has a passion for helping children reach their potential, having worked with children for over 15 years she have a broad range of experience and expertise. Sarah is able to come to your child’s school or is available at UC Physio on a Thursday. If you would like to make an appointment please call Sarah from East Coast Assessment Services on: 0413957968”

Please welcome Sarah who will be providing psychological services to children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities at UC Physio on Thursdays. She specialises in assessment, early intervention, diagnosis and therapy. Bookings can be taken at UC Physio 55 618 111.

Gold Coast Health Oral Health (Dental) Services

Please note the Dental Van is no longer at Coomera Springs. To find your nearest van please call 1300 300 850 and to arrange an appointment for your child call:

The Oral Health Client Service Centre
1300 300 850
Monday – Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm
Excluding Public Holidays

***PLEASE NOTE: If you are trying to book an appointment and experiencing some difficulties, feel free to come to the van to make the appointment, however, if we are busy with a patient, your details will be taken and contact made as soon as possible.

Child Dental Benefit Schedule Vouchers are accepted. When your child’s $1000 cap is reached, there will be no out-of-pocket expenses provided your child meets *eligibility criteria.

* Eligibility – All Queensland resident children aged four years or older who have not completed year 10 of secondary school.

Junction Café

Junction Café is located in Coomera Square shopping centre. We are open for breakfast, lunch and Thursday night for dinner.

Open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm 7 days
Thursday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Plenty of room for mums to come in with pushchairs and enjoy a coffee while the kids plays at their own little table.

We are looking at hosting small cooking demonstrations on a week day morning with our Chef utilising pantry staples with a few simple chef twists. Afterwards there will be a Q&A with the Chef over a coffee or tea for those that are interested please phone 5580 0060.

Our menu has the good ol’ classics for breakfast with some added favourites, like, overnight oats, omelettes, lifestyle choice and the iconic hash stack. This runs all day

Lunch has a street food vibe, which has bagel burgers, soft shell tacos, street wings, Thai salad, BLT and a lot of mouth-watering favourites to offer.

We also offer fresh made to order sandwiches, wraps, Devonshire teas, toasted sandwiches and a few gluten free alternatives, to name a few.

Our Devonshire teas and ham, cheese, tomato toasted sandwiches are on a permanent special at $5.00.

We are a Pay it Forward café. So what does this mean? We collectively pool tips and donations, which are topped up from sales. This is given back to the community by way of tokens. These can be exchanged for a meal or drink for those that are finding it a little tuff.

We also host morning tea and scones for residents of the local aged care facilities with the Pay it Forward programme.

Follow us on Facebook:

Follow us on Instagram: #junctionatcoomera

PSSC Enrolment Information Evening

Enrolment information night: Wednesday 20th April 2016

Enrolments for Years 7 to 12 are now being taken for the 2017 school year.

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

Apple Calendar iPhone, iPad, Mac - Download .ics file

Outlook Desktop Outlook - Download .ics file

Android Calendar Android devices - Download .ics file

Other Calendar Google Calendar, Yahoo, etc. - Download .ics file

Download Event