3 June 2016
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s Report
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Well it finally feels like winter. Luckily this change of weather waited until post our Year 6 camp. Even though the weather is cooling, school life remains hot with many different activities happening around our school.
Year 6 Camp
You know it is a successful camp when our students arrive back to school 5 days later with heavy eyes, but the widest smiles. Our students had a wonderful experience at Tallebudgera taking on new and exciting challenges. The weather was turned on, the smiles were too and I really must congratulate our students for their outstanding behaviour.
I was able to go to camp on Wed and join in some of the fun of tobogganing. The feedback from camp staff was very positive.
I know for many of our parents, there were some anxious moments in hoping that your child was enjoying themselves and staying safe. This definitely happened and I believe the experiences have helped our students in continuing to grow in their confidence.
School Council
As an Independent Public School we are required to have a school council, which we have had. However, we require 2 more representatives on our School Council and I am hoping we have 2 parents wanting to join us.
If you are interested in applying for these positions, please contact me on mgill35@eq.edu.au
The existing vacancies must be filled by members of our community, meaning parents or members of the wider community.
As a member of the school council you will be required to:
- Be conversant with the School Council Constitution and the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006
- Be familiar with Education Queensland’s strategic plan
- Be familiar with the school’s strategic plan
- Understand the philosophy and core values on which the school’s services and programs are based
- Demonstrate a personal suite of values aligned to realising harmonious and constructive conversations and decision making
- Offer an array of personal capabilities to assist creative and productive discussions and decision making relative to the strategic responsibilities of the school council
- Be able to work cooperatively with other council members to ensure productive and constructive discussion
- Be able to leave aside personal agendas and bias
- Assist in strategic planning and development
- Understand the difference and the delineation between operational, governance and strategic issues
- Liaise with relevant stakeholder groups to effectively represent views and opinions of staff, parent and community bodies
- Engage in shared leadership
- Work with other council members, school personnel and other decision-making bodies, for the benefit and betterment of all students and the community
- Demonstrate ability to follow through on tasks and meet associated timelines
- Attend council meetings as required
- Represent the school council and support decisions made
- Actively promote and portray a positive image of the school council
- Undertake extra activities or duties as requested by the council or the chair
- Approve key strategic documents, as well as reviewing and monitoring school performance
- Develop strategic initiatives that meet the unique needs of the students of the school
- Keep the broad school community involved in the activities of the school council
Areas outside the scope of responsibility for a school council include:
- input on school operations, implementation and the direction of school staff in their work duties
- managing the principal, teachers or staff
- management of day-to-day operations of the school and its curriculum
- operational decisions about the use of teaching or learning resources at the school
- decisions about the individual teaching styles used, or to be used, at the school
- controlling funds
- entering into contracts
- representing external sectional interests
- acquiring, holding, disposing of or dealing with property
- establishing a committee or subcommittee
- fundraising
- advising on class allocations.
In addition, council members must not make any decision that is contrary to legislation, industrial instruments, directives, delegations, whole-of-government policy or national agreements. They cannot sue other parties or be sued
Premier’s Reading Challenge
We have many of our classes participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge and there is a lot of reading going on. Keep it up, as reading has incredible benefits for learning.
During the Premier’s Reading Challenge, we will be running some competitions and the first one is ‘Design a Bookmark’. Students are asked (only if they want to), to design a bookmark. This bookmark could be based on their favourite book or character.
Bookmarks can be handed in to the office, but please remember to put your child’s name and class on the back of the bookmark.
We will be selecting a winner from P-1, 2-3 and 4-6 to win a small, reading related prize.
Entries must be received by June 10.
Staff Carpark Boom Gate
Next week the installation of a boom gate at the entrance of the staff carpark will begin. This measure has been taken as a safety precaution. Despite the multiple articles that I have written asking our parents to not use the staff carpark, this has continued to happen.
I have explained that this is both the entry and exit point for all students who ride to school, as this is where they access the pathway.
The boom gate will have a swipe card for both entry and exit, so please do not follow a staff member into the carpark and think it will be a sensor exit out. Swipe cards are required for this.
School Photos
School photos have arrived and been handed out to all students. Please make sure that you received yours.
Martine Gill
News from Our Deputy Principals
AFL Queensland Cup
Last Wednesday our Years 4, 5 and 6 boys represented Coomera Springs State School in the AFL Queensland Cup. All parents should be very proud of their sons; they showed tremendous effort and character while representing the school in trying conditions (5 games over an unseasonably hot day). Mr Dickinson our head coach is still feeling it and he didn’t even have to play.
The boys had a great win to start the day but then played some very accomplished sides while never giving up.
Mr Dickinson would like to thank the parent helpers, particularly the parents who provided lifts for other boys and brought some oranges for refuelling. A special thanks to Sam’s dad who helped all day with the running duties.
The boys finished the day a little tired and sore, but all having experienced a great day of team work and cooperation.
2017 Prep Enrolments
Enrolments for Prep 2017 open on day 1 of Term 3 (11th June). Coomera Springs State School has an exciting transition program so if you have younger siblings, friends or family ready to start Prep please don’t hesitate to enrol your child sooner rather than later.
School Reports
Semester 1 reports are due to go home at the end of this term. Some family circumstances result in a request for more than one copy. Should you require additional copies emailed, please notify the school office with recipient details as soon as possible.
Winter Uniform
A reminder with the cooler weather arriving, that students are required to wear their winter school uniforms.
Please note, however, that a school hat is still required. As the day generally heats up students begin shedding layers, all items should be clearly labelled with student names so misplaced items can be returned.
Lost Property
There are a number of lost property items including items from year 6 camp, lunch boxes, school clothes and hats etc behind A Block (Administration) in 2 large green bins marked Lost Property. Please ensure all property including uniforms is marked with correct student names.
Year Six Camp
In Week 7 the Year 6 students experienced camp at Tallebudgera Beach School. This is our journey:
Tallebudgera Beach School was amazing. The food was great and there was always enough on the plate. The staff were wonderful and funny, they were always making jokes. There was one mentor that kept trying to get everyone with that one joke. He said, “What’s that?” When you looked down he flicked your chin. The activities were excellent; they helped us overcome our fears by us showing persistence whilst doing the activity, even though many of us were scared. The mentors helped us for the entire journey and they also helped us slay our dragons. One of my dragons, or fears was spiders and the mentors explained that they are not going to harm you if you don’t harm them. They helped us do the things that we were scared of or we didn’t want to do. I want to compliment Mr C, he was my mentor and he was awesome, so were the other mentors, but getting to know Mr. C was fun. Just thinking of it, for the rest of my life I will be using those five keys confidence, resilience, co-operation, organisation and persistence.
I really hope that in the future my kids will be able to experience this wonderful life long memory.
By Chantel Templeton
The school would sincerely like to thank the students who represented the school in the highest possible way, our parents for supporting this excursion and of course our dedicated staff. Miss Lancaster, Mrs Blom, Mr Fletcher, Chaplain Ben, Mrs Partridge and Ms Clements all sacrificed their family time over the five days to assist in the running of camp. We acknowledge your efforts and time spent with our students. Thank you!
Mr Hartley on Leave
During weeks ten and eleven I will be taking some long service leave and spending some quality time with my family. With my wife also working in education and two daughters (15 and 10), life can get pretty crazy in the Hartley house! During my absence, Mrs Raffin will be acting deputy principal. I’d like to congratulate Mrs Raffin on her appointment – I know she will do a terrific job. Mrs Raffin’s replacement in the music room has not yet been finalised, however we are sourcing a quality music teacher to deliver music lessons during the last two weeks of term.
Parents of Prep and Year Three Students
Your child in Prep or Year Three has the exciting opportunity of entering our three-year 1:1 student iPad program at the beginning of Year One and Year Four. This is a program that has evolved over the past few years and our current 1:1 iPad students are beginning to reap the benefits from the rich forms of student engagement generated and our unique network capabilities. It is with great pleasure that I invite you to attend our parent information session at 5:30pm on Thursday 9th of June. During the information session, we will provide information about:
- How the iPads are used in the classroom
- How learning continues at home
- The benefits of learning with an iPad
- Coomera Springs' unique network and app purchasing capabilities (compared to other local schools)
- Purchasing arrangements and our supplier
Also attending the information session and answering questions about the iPad bundles on offer will be Mr Jon Tapia, Queensland Business Development Manager from our iPad supplier, Comp Now.
The feedback we received from parents last year centred on the need to start the information sharing and purchasing process earlier. This is important to us, as we wish to present you with all the information needed to make an informed decision about your child’s learning. We look forward to seeing you in the hall at 5:30pm on Thursday 9th of June.
Taylor Haley/ Elvis Gegić/Dave Hartley
News from our Head of Special Education Services
Transition to High School
It’s that time of year when again, when the parents of Year 6 students are thinking about the transition to High School.
Eligible children and young people are entitled to enrol at their closest appropriate state school. Some secondary state schools may have reached enrolment capacity and have an enrolment management plan in place. This means students may not be entitled to enrol unless they live within the local catchment area, or, for students from outside the local catchment area, have met eligibility criteria contained in the plan.
It may be helpful to talk to other parents who have children at the school you are considering for your child.
When choosing a school, consider your child's particular needs along with the support available at the school. It may be useful to write a list of questions about schooling to help guide your discussions with school staff, other parents and community agencies.
After checking the school's website and reading the school's prospectus and any other relevant documents, you might like to ask about:
- supports available for students with disability
- the size of the school and class sizes
- teaching methods and classroom environment
- specialist staff available to help your child
- technologies available to help your child
- the physical location of the school
- physical access around the school
- parent support groups or the school liaison officer
- when and how to enrol
- school hours
- uniform policy
- fees and levies
- assessment and reporting procedures
- homework and assignment expectations
- available resources e.g. library, internet, computers, specialised technology
- extracurricular activities
- communication between home and school
- religious instruction and chaplaincy program
- amenities, e.g. tuckshop, out of school-hours care
- student participation, such as school councils
- Parental involvement e.g. parents and citizens' associations, volunteering.
Copies of the school's Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students, newsletters, prospectus and the annual report will give you further information about the school and its activities.
Lisa Partridge
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!
http://coomerasprings.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe
Further into the Sign Up process is the option for you to choose your association with the school (e.g. Staff, Parent, and Student)
News from our PE Department
CSSS sporting achievements:
On Thursday the 19th May, 30 students ran for the school at the District Cross Country carnival. All students gave their best effort and represented the school very well. Awesome job!!!
Congratulations to Kamylie L (4th), Lillia C (8th), Wamania T (12th) for making it into the district team. They will compete at the regional Cross Country competition on 7th June.
Gala Day
Year 4-6 Gala Day – Tuesday 7th June
- Year 4’s will be competing at Coomera Springs,
- Year 5’s at Highland Reserve SS and
- Year 6’s at Park Lake SS.
Students will need to wear their sports uniform and their hats. No canteen facilities will be available for years 5 and 6. Students will need to pack morning tea and lunch as well as plenty of water.
The school Athletics Carnivals are 14th – 16Th June 2016
This year they are being held over three days:
- Prep- 2 Tuesday 14th
- Years 3 - 6 Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June.
Tim Gall/Sarah Hodder
News from our Librarian
New Books
Please come on in and have a look around our library, we have loads of wonderful new books just arrived.
Book Club
For those who have purchased from book club, your orders will be arriving from next week.
Book Week
Book Week is next term, culminating in our book parade on 24th August. Teachers will be talking to students about this very soon, with this year’s theme being Australiana.
News from our Classrooms and around the School
We love to show you what is going on around our school and in our classrooms.
Kokoda 2016
Everyone has been training super hard for our Kokoda Challenge. This was our last 17km trek before the event on Sunday the 5th of June. Some amazing scenery has been enjoyed by our students and staff whilst training.
News from our P&C President
Chocolate Drive
Everyone has received their chocolate boxes and money is starting to be returned. Please note the return date for all money is the 3rd June. We cant return any chocolates not sold so please try and sell as many chocolates as you can.
We have 2 bikes to be drawn for all students who return their chocolate boxes fully sold.
We have a number of prizes to give away at the last assembly of the term and look forward to drawing the bikes and presenting them to the lucky winner. A huge thankyou to Ray White Upper Coomera who has kindly donated one of the bikes to be drawn.
Bingo Night
Our Bingo night is set to be a big night with over $2500 in cash to give away plus prizes. The $1000 jackpot has been kindly donated by Ray White Upper Coomera and we are very appreciative of their support for our school and air conditioning fundraising. Tables are booking out fast! Please contact the P & C if you would like to book a table ( or seats) Childminding is also available at $10 per child or $20 for 2 or more. Booking for Child minding need to be done by Wednesday the 8th June.
Good bye for now
Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 8th June 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
Councillor News - Cr Donna Gates - Division 1
Upper Coomera Physio
Some of the very 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.
AND…
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”
https://www.facebook.com/UCPhysio/posts/860231937420293
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.
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