18 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last week we posted home quite a number of letters to families across the school in regards to their child’s attendance rates. Over the years I have included many articles on why every day of learning counts and detailing the importance of school attendance. This includes encouraging families to avoid taking days off for birthdays and those more avoidable appointments.

One of the issues raised in some absences is the concern of anxiety. If this is a concern for your family and/or your child, we strongly encourage and recommend seeking support from a medical professional as anxiety is a diagnosed disorder. If a student does have this diagnosis, we are able to work with the family and selected medical professionals to put in a variety of strategies to support school attendance.

Before School Expectations

Before the start of the school day we have many students who make their way to the tuckshop area for supervision. This is wonderful as we know where our students are, that they are safe and staying calm in readiness for the school day.

If a child is with a parent, they are able to sit with their parents closer to the classroom area. However, we have noticed that some children are joining up with their friends and playing in these areas. If you happen to be a parent that is here in the morning can you please ensure that you only have your child with you, and if you suspect another unsupervised child has joined in, they need to be redirected to the tuckshop area.

Another big aspect is that no children are allowed on the playground and equipment before school. The areas are signed clearly, and this includes the younger siblings of our students. We have noticed more and more P-2 students are not following this rule and they are with their parents at the time. Again, if you are sitting there with your children before school, they are not to access the play equipment.

2017 NAPLAN Results

Last week, all schools received their preliminary NAPLAN results, and all individual reports were sent home. Only our students in Years 3 and 5 participate in NAPLAN testing.

I am very pleased to share with our community that Coomera Springs had a wonderful rate of improvement from 2016 to 2017 in our mean scale score.

This improvement is the result of the dedicated work from all of our staff, as well as the number of programs we offer our students in supporting their learning at Coomera Springs.

To give you an idea of where we sit I have included two snapshots of what our Year 3 data looks like for 2016 and 2017, as well as our Year 5 data.

2017 Book Week

Book Week will be celebrated from 21/8 – 25/8. Whilst we always celebrate reading here at Coomera Springs, this is the official dates on the Education Queensland calendar and of course one of our favourite parades will be happening on Wednesday 23 August.

It is our BOOK CHARACTER PARADE. We will once again be hosting this in our hall and each class will parade down the catwalk. We encourage our parents to share in the fun of bringing books to life and coming dressed up as a book character. You can be sure that staff will be getting in on the act.

Have a wonderful week.

Kind Regards
Martine Gill

NAPLAN Online Trial @ CSSS

The tables have turned and our students get to test the test!

In week 8 and 9 Year 4 and Year 5 students will be testing the NAPLAN Online platform to assist Education Queensland in its readiness preparation for NAPLAN Online in 2018. Our student will participate in an online trial test that is designed to test our network capability and ensure the test performs as it is expected to perform. There will be no formal results recorded for our students as it is the system being assessed rather than our students.

The benefit of participating in this trial is that the school will know that we have the infrastructure and devices required to successfully complete the real test in 2018.

For the students, they get a sneak peek at the online testing environment which will ease their mind in anticipation of 2018 and provide them a leg up because they will be familiar with the navigation and built in tools when the time comes for the real assessment in 2018.

Interested in 1:1 Student iPad Program

Have you completed your expression of interest form for the 1:1 Student iPad Program in 2018?

Download the Expression of Interest Form, complete it and then hand in at the office.

If you missed the information session please visit the below links for more information and keep your eyes peeled for the details of the Term 4 information session.

Visit our 1:1 Student iPad Program Webpage for more details-

Enrol in our 1:1 Student iPad Program iTunes U course

(link will work if accessing via ios device with iTunes U downloaded)

Enrolment Code: FAB-DMK-FNL

Aunty Di and Jared Visit Coomera Springs State School

Aunty Di and Jared visited our school today to deliver their Corroboree program. During the 1 hour session our students explored male and female dancing, language, traditional instruments, hunting, uses for different animals in art, indigenous tools, ochre, totems, and differences between tribes, why we do welcome to country! So much learning and an amazing experience for all involved.

Prep enrolments for 2018 are now open

We are now taking enrolments for Prep for 2018!

If your child is born between 1/7/12 and 30/6/13, please see the ladies in the office for an enrolment pack. Details of our first parent information session will be coming soon!

Born to Read

Mark your calendar and get ready to celebrate READING!!!!!

Coomera Springs State School, is organising a massive ‘Born to Read’ afternoon to promote the importance of reading and celebrate those who love to read. The afternoon will be held on Wednesday September 13th 2017 beginning at 3:00pm at Coomera Springs State School. It is set to be the biggest celebration of reading at Coomera Springs yet. Make sure you don’t miss the fun, mark the date into your calendar now and prepare to have a blast.

Is your business interested in being involved with BORN TO READ?

We are delighted to offer you the opportunity to choose how you would like to be part of our celebrations. There are a number of ways you can select to become part of the event. You may choose to:

• Enjoy the stalls and activities as a general member of the public
• Be a financial sponsor (be included in our physical promotion and social media promotion campaign)
• Set up a stall at the event
• Hold a demonstration on the main stage
• Have your business contribute items to our raffle

If you are interested in offering sponsorship, contributing to our raffles and/or setting up a stall please email bmorr133@eq.edu.au or contact the school office to speak to Deputy Principal Ben Morris.

From Student Council Book Drive

With the upcoming Book Week and our very own Born to Read event, the Student Council have formulated a great idea to raise some much needed funds for our school. We are going to be running a Coomera Springs Book Drive. Students are encouraged to bring in any unwanted books from home that they may have out grown or no longer read. These books will then be sold at BORN TO READ to our school community by our Student Council representatives. This is not only a great way to encourage reading but to create new memories through sharing stories.

Donations can be made via boxes located in each classroom, starting Monday week 6 (14th August) and will conclude Friday week 8 (31st August). The books donated will be sold week 10 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. The class who has sold the most books will win a prize. The winner will be announced Thursday week 10.

GC2018 Commonwealth Games

In less than 240 days, some of the world’s best athletes from 70 nations and territories will be arriving on the Gold Coast to compete in 18 sports and seven para-sports.

There are still many great tickets remaining to morning and evening sessions.

Your school community can look forward to inclusive, accessible and affordable ticket prices for GC2018 including half price children’s tickets for people aged 16 and under!

To find out more information about the sports, each session and their locations, check out our Ticketing Guide.

Color Run is coming – Save the date!

Coomera Springs State School P&C is holding a colour run on Friday 20th October. More details will come to hand as we get closer. But parents and younger children are welcome to come and run on the day for a donation. Sponsorship forms and more information will go home at the beginning of Term 4. We are really excited to be holding this event. We will also have some prizes up for grabs..

HoSES News

Autism and Behaviour Seminar

A free seminar for Parents whose children are on the autism spectrum is being held on Saturday 19th August from 1pm to 5 pm at Griffith University.

Bunnings Garden Project

This Friday is our Bunnings Garden Day.

Notes were sent home this week for students in Years 1 to 6 to participate in our garden makeover project. Bunnings are kindly donating their time and resources to enable our students to plant some herbs, fruits and vegetables.

We look forward to seeing them grow and hopefully we can use them in our cooking program soon!

Thank you BUNNINGS.

Has your child had an eye test recently?

80% of what is being taught at school is visual.

It can become very confusing and overwhelming in a busy classroom if your child cannot see clearly what is being taught. Poor eye sight can often cause behavioural and learning problems.

Children can find it difficult to articulate the difficulties they may have with their eyesight.

Some things to look for….

• Frequent eye rubbing
• Sitting too close to the TV or holding a book or an Ipad too close.
• Tilting their head to see better or squinting their eyes.
• Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
• Closing one eye to read or watch TV.
• Often losing their place when reading and using a finger to guide their eyes.

You can book a free vision test for your child through any optometrist store.

If you have any concerns or questions, please also see your child’s classroom teacher.

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)

Years 4, 5 & 6 Gala Sports Day – Tuesday 29th August (week 8)

Year Four are playing Tee-ball at Viney Park, Yaun Street, Coomera

Year Five and Six are playing Touch Football at Coomera Sports Fields, Beattie Road, Coomera

The competitions will be split in to year levels and boys/girls teams.

Students will need to wear their school sports uniform, hat, sunscreen and running shoes – NO Football boots. Students may also bring a towel to sit on while they are eating or resting. They will need to bring: two water bottles, packed lunch and morning tea – NO TUCKSHOP facilities are available at either venue.

District Athletics

This week 11 students from grades five and six qualified to compete in the annual Broadwater District Athletics Carnival at Gold Coast City Athletics Centre, Griffith University. They compete against 36 other Gold Coast schools to earn their place on the South Coast Team. The qualifying standards are always very high, so it is a great achievement the following students have made:

Modern Language Teachers Association Queensland Speaking Competition

On the 13th August, 6 Coomera Springs student accompanied Mrs Burton to Griffith University to compete in the MLTAQ Speaking Competition.

We have 6 students from Coomera Springs went to the Chinese speech contest at Griffith University yesterday.

Maisie (5/6E)
Maarten (6B)
Eve (5/6E)
Anika (5/6E)
Brian (5C)
Emily (5D)

These students did an exceptional job representing our school throughout the competition. While all student did a wonderful job on the day Emily came in 2nd, Maarten 4th and Eve was awarded highly commended.

Well done Coomera Springs!!

Music Shirts

Our performing ensembles look amazing in their Music Shirts. If your child is in Band, Strings, Ukulele Band 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.

Kids at Sea (Sindbad Sails Again)

Friday the 8th and Saturday the 9th of September, 2017

At the Upper Coomera State College Performing Arts Centre
Reserve Rd, Upper Coomera
Commencing at 6:00pm Sharp

Tickets

$13 Adults
$9 Children (aged 12 and under)
Available from the CSSS school office on Wednesday and Thursday mornings 8.15-9:00am beginning Wednesday 16th August 2017

PE lessons – Oz tag

Last week our school was visited by Oztag QLD to teach all students about the game of Oztag and to notify them about the up and coming try outs days. Flyers were sent home outlining the details for the local Oztag club at Coomera. If your child missed out, Contact Ray Dent at the link below or call ph: 0404 030 244.

The Oztag visit was very helpful for our year 5 and 6 students who used their Touch Football skills from this terms’ PE focus to play against each other. Students in the younger grades also enjoyed playing and learning a new game.

Breakfast is Served at Coomera Springs!

We have noticed a large number of students in the mornings either buying unhealthy food options at Hungry Jack’s (Slushie’s and ice cream) or eating their lunch whilst they are waiting for school to begin. We have opened up a breakfast menu to help combat these issues.

• Breakfast starts at 7am with cereal, toast, muffins and fruit available as well as juice.
• Wednesday is pancake day!
• Prices as below:

Bowl of cereal (Rice Bubbles, Cornflakes or Nutrigrain) $1.50
Piece of Fruit 50c
2 slices of toast/English muffin with spread $1
Juice $1 per cup
Pancakes (Wednesday only) $2

We are hoping that the menu will increase and we have more special days as we get busier. We are hoping that by offering a healthy breakfast the kids will have a great start to their day and won’t tuck into their lunches leaving them hungry later in the day.

Tuckshop Winter Menu

Please remember that Thursday’s and Friday’s are flexischool orders only.

Volunteers Needed

We are again asking our parent community for anyone who has some spare time to help.

We are needing volunteers to help with:

School Banking (Tuesday mornings)
Frankie’s Tuckerbox ( any time between Mon-Fri)
Frankie’s Fabrics Uniform Shop (Mon, Wed & Fri mornings 8.15 – 9am)

If you can spare some time please contact Kylie at the tuckshop or the uniform shop.

P & C meeting

Our next P & C Meeting will be held on Wednesday 11th October 2017 at 3:15pm in the resource room next to the library.

School Directory

Community Notices

Helensvale State High School 2018

Gold Coast Health Oral Health (Dental) Services

****Please note: The dental van is no longer at CSSS, you will need to 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.

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 via URL:

UC Physio

UC Physio offer physiotherapy services including musculoskeletal, paediatric

(Babies and children often require specialised assessment and treatment that can’t be effectively assessed unless the clinic is specially set up to look at these i.e. developmental delay, movement disorders and neuromuscular conditions), women’s health (pre & post-natal), neurological, pre and operative rehabilitation and respiratory conditions. We are able to offer a range of exercise programs that improve and maintain physical strength and function.

Level 1, 21 Coomera Grand Drive, Upper Coomera QLD 4209

Phone: 55 618 111 Fax: 55 618 344
Email: admin@ucphysio.physio

Kurrawa SLSC Nippers Sign on

As summer approaches so does the 2017/2018 Nipper Season! For children and adults on the Gold Coast, knowledge about water and beach safety is invaluable and nippers are a fantastic place to start learning all about Surf Life Saving. Nippers (5-13 years of age) doesn’t only teach children about water and beach safety, but it also assists them to make new friends, gain confidence, further develop important life skills and be part of a Team and Community.

This season the Kurrawa SLSC Junior Activities Committee along with our Board of Management have again come together to offer a pricing structure that will make it more affordable for families to sign up to nippers. The fees are just $40 per child and $60 for up to two adults (1 adult must join). See the advertisement below for more details.

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