3 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Time is certainly ticking away as we have just clicked past the halfway mark for term 1. The second half of term is very busy with many activities coming up on our school calendar, so please keep reading the newsletters, your emails and keeping an eye on the calendar.

Bikes, Scooters and Skateboards

We have an increasing number of students travelling to school on their bikes, scooters and skateboards. Which is fantastic, as this helps to ease the congestion of traffic before and after school, as well as promoting healthy lifestyle benefits.

Please remember that we have our little people entering into the school grounds and leaving and whilst we continually promote road safety to our students, our motorists also need to take great care.

We ask that all of our students on bikes and scooters enter and leave the school grounds via the footpath that runs parallel to the entrance driveway into our school. The reason for this is that there is no pathway available to our students from the front exit of our school.

Can I also remind parents to ensure that their child is always wearing a safety helmet and to have a lock for their bike and/or scooter.

QParents

QParents is an online portal that will allow parents to log in, view and manage their child’s student information from their smartphone, tablet or computer.

Parents will have 24/7 access to view and update information such as:

• report cards
• class timetables
• enrolment details
• behaviour information
• invoices.

This is a fantastic opportunity to increase parents’ engagement with the school and give them another way of monitoring their child’s progress.

Parents that jumped on board this last year, we hope you are enjoying using the QParents portal to view and manage information.

For Prep and new parents, if you have not received an invitation, please advise us immediately.

Over time, QParents will become an integral part of how we communicate with parents. Get on board now to enjoy the ease and convenience that QParents offers.

Register at or contact us if you haven’t received a unique registration code.

Let’s ‘stand together’ against bullying and violence!

Our school is proud to say ‘Bullying. No Way!’ On Friday 17 March we will stand united with schools across Australia for the 2017 National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Taking a stand together will deliver a powerful message that bullying and violence is never okay.

We strongly encourage parents and carers to have open and honest conversations with their children about bullying in all forms.

To get the discussion started with helpful information and tips visit the Bullying. No Way! website

Pride in Uniform

A very high percentage of our students are looking immaculate in their uniforms. What we do need to work on is the correct shoe option for school. In our P&C-endorsed dress code, students must wear black enclosed shoes with their dress uniform. If families are finding this difficult to achieve due to financial reasons please book a time for a quick chat to see how we can support.

Kind Regards
Taylor Haley/Acting Principal

News from our Deputies

School Photos

Save the Date: School Photo Day is 22 & 23 March 2017

In the next coming weeks your child/children will receive an envelope for ordering school photos. Please take the time to read some relevant information from MSP Photography:

• All orders must be placed online

• Ensure your order is placed by photo day to avoid any late fees.
• SIBLING photography envelopes will be available for collection from your school office. Please read them carefully as appointments are limited. When your child brings home their photography ordering envelope for individual photos, this will be the time to collect the sibling photo envelope from the school.

Please do not contact the school at this stage. A schedule will be available soon that will express when each year level will be getting their photos taken across the two days. This will be communicated by your classroom teacher. More detailed information will be available in the next newsletter.

Chess Competition

On the 10th March, Coomera Springs will be sending a team of students from Years 3-6 to compete in a chess competition at Coomera Rivers State School. In the short preparation time the students have, the school would like to welcome any parents with chess experience to be involved in the team. This could be coaching the students or helping out with organisation when competition time comes around. This is a great opportunity for the students involved so if you would like to be involved please email the chess coordinator Emily Marriot at emarr0@eq.edu.au.

Star Schools Challenge

As part of our involvement in the National Day of Action against bullying and violence, our school has pledged to be a part of the Star Schools Challenge! We have promised to weave and send 500 paper stars! We will be making stars here at school, and students can also make them at home. Watch the video at the following URL for instructions!

The One Million Stars to End Violence project needs individuals, groups and communities to join in the conversation of ending violence across the world and to weave one million stars by July 2017 which will then be featured in an installation at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence is Australia’s key anti-bullying event for schools and calls on school communities to say “Bullying. No Way!” and “Take a Stand Together”.

Each star woven as part of the Stars Schools Challenge represents a school’s commitment towards a bullying and violence free environment.

Rocket to Success

This is a friendly reminder to those students in Years 3 and 5 that are involved in the Rocket to Success program. Lessons start PROMPTLY at 8am in the library. It would be wonderful if all those involved could arrive on time in order to maximise the effectiveness of the program for all involved!

NAPLAN

As parents and carers, we all take great interest in our children and their paths in life. We know it is really important that they develop key skills such as literacy and numeracy to help them through school, work and life.

NAPLAN (the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is a national test undertaken by all Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students, designed to provide information on your child’s literacy and numeracy achievements.

This year Coomera Springs State School will be participating in NAPLAN Online. Our Year3 and 5 students will engage with an online platform on iPads to complete all tests in 2017. The only exception in 2017 is the Year 3 Writing assessment which will be complete with pencil and paper.

If you would like to read more about NAPLAN Online please view the associated PDF files or click the below link.

Alternatively, if you have any concerns or queries please contact the school office

Student Leadership Tree Tops Challenge

Our student leaders and sports leaders had a tops day at Thunderbird Park strengthening their bond as a group and challenging themselves at dizzying heights. The leadership team tested their courage, persistence and resilience by completing a number of high ropes courses and zip lines.

Borobi is Coming!!!!

Week 7 Coomera Springs is being paid a visit by the 2018 Commonwealth Games official Mascot. The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be the largest sporting event Australia will see this decade and the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen. As the first regional Australian city to ever host a Commonwealth Games, the Gold Coast will celebrate great Games in a great city leaving great memories and great benefits for all. Borobi, the mascot to the games, is coming to meet our school leaders and spread the world regarding the up and coming games that are almost on our doorstep.

For further information please follow the below link

High School Transition Information

Parents be aware of the below key dates at our local high schools. If you have further questions please contact the high school for the most up to date information.

Pirates Ahoy - By 3G and Mrs G

There is nothing like sitting under a coconut tree with a good book, on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere. The waves crash onto the beach, then I hear something else crash, I look up and everything goes dark…..

The banana shaped island, known by the locals as, Palm Tree Paradise, was teaming with juicy fish, fresh coconuts and NO PEOPLE that I knew of. Just the way I liked it.

My telescope was my most prized possession. I used it every day to check the horizon for intruders. On one particular day, I saw them….PIRATES!! They were on the biggest, blackest, tallest, meanest looking ship I have ever seen, and they were heading for MY ISLAND! I had heard of the 3B Bandits. There were bad news, and their flag clearly told me they were here to steal my island.

As quickly as I saw them, they saw me. There we were looking eye to eye through our telescopes. I knew I had to run, but my legs felt like jelly stuck to the pavement on a hot day. I couldn’t do anything but just stand there as their ship moved closer…and closer… and closer to my beautiful, people free island.

“Hey Matey” said the head pirate. He looked OK, he was friendly enough, even though he looked like he could use a good shower and hair wash. “Me and me crew are starving, do ya happen to have any tasty morsels to share?” inquired the Pirate Captain. I thought this was a strange request, but luckily, these fellows seemed friendly and I felt completely safe. Well… until they locked me in a cage and accused me of keeping secrets about treasure buried on the island.

In the corner of my eye I could see it, the answer to my problem. A HUGE coconut! Slowly, I reach my right hand out and grab the coconut. I clench it tightly and pull my arm back as far as it would go and launch the coconut as hard as I could. It flies directly towards the Pirate Captain, but it suddenly hooks to the left hitting the bars of my cage. It ricocheted off the bar and punched me right in the nose. My nose bled, I could feel the coconut water dripping down my face. As I wiped the coconut milk from my eyes, I blinked repeatedly trying not to cry.

I looked about to see white walls, I could hear machines beeping, and the noisiest people around me. 3B were all gathered around my bed worried. Oscar pipes up “She’s awake, Mrs G is finally awake!” “Mrs G, that coconut must have knocked you out when it fell from the tree, “ explained Erika, “Yeah,” said Alvin “You were mumbling about us trying to kill you and pirates and some other stuff.” “Good thing we were still on our excursion on the other side of the island, we rescued you!” yelled Lochlan excitedly. “That bump on your head is huguuuuge!” giggled Jelena. That day I discovered the power and determination of year three children, and also coconuts.

Acting Deputy Gabby Raffin/Acting Deputy Ben Morris/Acting Deputy Mel Gurney

News from our Hoses

Rotation Creation

We have had a fabulous response to our Rotation Creation Workshop and we are very excited for the wonderful creations our students will be making.

They will be here on Thursday the 9th March from 11:30-12:45.

For those who haven’t returned your permission slips, please do so if you wish your child to attend.

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)

News from our Chaplain

Chappy’s Update

Just wanted to touch base to let you know that Chaplaincy is about to kick off the Mini Men Shed next term as this term there have been some personal setbacks. We will resume Mini Men Shed with the boys with a focus primarily on getting the boys to build their own tool box and then we will start to look at bikes and scooters and getting them fixed up. There will be more stuff happening next term but watch this space.

Thought for the week

Family is Family. Sometimes we struggle with our family and sometimes we don’t. We often don’t get to choose our family, but we can choose to accept and love them. Sometimes our family can be dysfunctional at best and sometimes it can be all peachy. But upon reflection over the last couple of weeks, I have come to realise that even though our families can put us through the ring by the choices they make or the actions they choose, they are still our family. I have been dealing with some stuff as of late and it has only just really hit me. I can choose to back away from what is going on and pretend that family members don’t exist, or I can choose to forgive, and be there for them despite what has happened. Unfortunately, we don’t have a undo button for life, but what we do have is the chance to resolve our issues or differences and forgive each other. We can’t choose our family, but we can certainly choose to love them.

News from our PE Department

Gala Sports Day

Our first Interschool Gala Sports Day for years 4-6 was a great success. Students played soccer against Park Lake SS and Highland Reserve SS. Congratulations to all teams, overall Girls came third and Boys were second. All students gave their best effort and represented our school with Integrity, Respect and Excellence.

Broadwater District Swimming Trials

Neve V, Maisie W, Chloe C, Joshua H and Sunny L recently competed in the Broadwater District Swimming Trials. All swimmers gave their best effort and came home with some great results:

Regional South Coast Swimming trials

Congratulations to Neve, Maisie, Joshua and Sunny as they competed this week at the Regional South Coast Swimming Trials at the Southport Aquatic Centre. It was a big carnival held over two nights. All swimmers did a fantastic job and we are very proud of them for achieving the honour of swimming for our school at Regional level.

Neve has qualified to swim as part of the South Coast Sports team at the State Swimming carnival later this month. CONGRATULATIONS to all of our swimmers!

Save the Date: School Cross Country Carnival

Our annual Cross Country Carnival will be held on Tuesday 28th March. I can’t wait to see everyone dressed up in their house colours –

Ballun (Blue), Kaban (Green), Tharagum (yellow) and Tugai (red).

If you are unsure which house your child is in, please contact the classroom teacher.

Families and friends are invited to come along and cheer their children on.

Prep – year 2 - 9:00am - 10:30am
Years 4-6 - 11:15am – 12:45pm.

Please note these times are approximate.

**Just a reminder the bottom car park will be closed from 10:45am to 1:00pm, as children will be running through this as part of the Cross Country track.

Borobi is coming to Coomera Springs State School!

As our school’s GC2018Commonwealth Games Ambassador I have organised Borobi- the GC2018 Commonwealth Games mascot to visit our school assembly next Monday (6th March). He will be visiting each assembly and performing with his mascoteers a song and dance for the students to follow along. We are looking forward to having some fun with Borobi!

The 2017 Cycling Australia Track National Championships will be held at the Anna Meares Velodrome (a GC2018 venue!) this weekend from March 2-5.

More than 150 of Australia's best will battle for 32 national titles in the sprint and team sprint, time trial, team and individual pursuit, scratch and points races.

A host of Olympic and Commonwealth Games heroes and world champion cyclists will line up in the elite events, with the next-gen also on show in the under 19 events.

Please see below ticket prices:

Day Sessions

• FREE

Evening Sessions

• Adult $20
• Concession $10
• Children (U16) $5
• Family (2 x Adult & 2 x Children) $40

Tickets are on sale now and are available via the following link:

Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of Australia’s best cyclists compete and fight for their position in the Commonwealth Games team!

News from our Music Department

Instrumental Music News

Last week Students in Intermediate and Senior Strings (Year 4 – 6) and Senior Band (Year 5 - 6) received permission notes for our upcoming Strings and Band Workshops. Please return these notes as soon as possible, so that arrangements can be made for your child to attend the workshop.

If your child is in one of these groups and did not bring home a permission note please email Mrs Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au (Beginner students will be invited to attend a separate workshop later in the year).

Students are settling into their group lessons very well and mostly remembering to bring their instruments to school each week. Now is the time to make sure your child has everything that is needed for String Ensemble or Band. All students have been asked to bring a DISPLAY FOLDER and a PENCIL to their rehearsal each week. Please also make sure your child is bringing their instrument home from school after their lesson each week, and attempting all set Instrumental Home Practice tasks.

School Musical 2017 – KIDS AT SEA!

We have spent the past two weeks busily learning songs and movement in preparation for the first round of Auditions, which will be held over the next two weeks!

Here’s the plan:

In Week 7 (next week) everyone who is auditioning for the Musical will have the opportunity to show the teachers the songs and dances they have learned.

In Week 8 (the following week) the students who are trying out for SPEAKING ROLES in the Musical will be given the chance to take a section of script home overnight and prepare for a Round One reading audition (all students will be given the same piece of script for the first audition, and will need to be familiar with BOTH Sid and Harold’s lines).

In Week 9 and 10 (the last two weeks of term) we will have CALL BACKS for lead roles (to be advised after Round One auditions have been completed).

If you have any questions about the audition process please email Mrs Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au.

Music Shirts

Our performing ensembles look amazing in their new Music Shirts. If your child is in Band, Strings or Choir now is the time to order your Music Shirt for 2017 – available from the uniform shop for $28. Music Shirts can be worn to school on Fridays in 2017.

Prep parents please be advised that the Music Shirts are only available from Size 6 upwards (it is not possible to make the shirt in a smaller size as the process would alter our design). Prep students in the Junior Choir should purchase a Size 6 shirt and wear it tucked into their formal bottom half.

News from our Librarian

Dear Parents and Carers,

Issue 2 of Book Club has been handed out to the classes. If you wish to order any books please pay online by following the instructions on the order form under Book Club Loop.

You can also pay by cheque if you wish.

Please note no money will be accepted at the library or classrooms to pay for your order.

Due date: all orders will close on Wednesday 8th March.

If you are new to the school and not sure what to do, please come and see me in the library and I will be happy to help you.

Thank you for supporting our school and happy reading.

Sue Marriott,
Teacher/ Librarian.

News from our P&C President

Uniform Shop Changes

We are so excited that our renovations for our uniform shop (Frankie’s Fabrics) are starting to take shape. We are moving to the bigger room next door to our current uniform shop. There will be more change rooms and space as well as fans for those hot days. We cannot wait to unveil the new space in the next week or two so watch this space!

School Disco

Our first disco for the year will be held on the 30th of March from 4.30pm. Tickets will be available on Flexischools or Frankie’s Tuckerbox from the 6th – 28th March. Please note there will be NO entry without a pre purchased ticket. Tickets can not be purchased at the door. Tickets are only for students enrolled at Coomera Springs State School. If you have any questions or queries please don’t hesitate to let us know. Please see the flyer below for more information.

5 Cent Challenge

As most of you all know we are fundraising for air conditioning for the classrooms in our school. To kick off our fundraising for 2017 on Monday we will be beginning the 5 cent challenge. It’s super easy and lots of fun!

Start collecting as many 5 cent coins as you can find.

Are they lying around the home, under the bed, in between the lounge cushions or in the car? Starting Monday we will give every class a bucket to collect their 5 cent pieces. Each Friday we will collect and count the coins and keep a running tally.

The class who raises the most between the 6th and the 24th will win a free lunch!

We will let you know each week how each class is doing. Good luck to everyone!

Good bye for now

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 8th March 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

Gold Coast Health Oral Health (Dental) Services

****Please note: The dental van will be relocating from CSSS on a date to be advised in March.

If there are parents who have not arranged for an appointment they are still welcome to do so, phone the Oral Health Client Service

Centre # 1300 300 850 to make a time to receive a free dental check-up & any follow up treatment required.

Hours of operation for this clinic are:

Monday – Wednesday 8.00am – 4.30 pm.

To arrange an appointment for your child telephone:

The Oral Health Client Service Centre

Number: 1300 300 850 Monday – Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm (Excluding Public Holidays)

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.

Further information on public funded oral health services can be accessed below.

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