13 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to Term 4. The warm weather has been swift to settle in, and if this is an indication for the summer ahead, we are in for a very warm one. Please work with your children to come to school prepared with sunscreen, plenty of water and plenty of food to fuel them throughout the day.

2018 Class Lists

Earlier this week I sent home an email opening up the parent request process for 2018 class lists. This is your opportunity for putting forward a request for friendship groupings. Unfortunately you cannot request teacher placement.

Just a reminder that these are just requests, and the drafting class groupings is a complex and long process. Therefore, we do not give any guarantee that requests will be met.

I do mention each year that as we begin our planning for the next school year, we work through our predicted numbers and these predictions determine the number of teachers we will have placed at Coomera Springs in the following year. The next step is to work out the breakdown of the class structures. Undoubtedly each year we need to create composite classes. Once again, I reassure our parents that we are professionals in our craft, and if there are some composites, student selection is considered and our teachers are well skilled at their craft.

Short Term Staffing Changes

I am on leave for the next few weeks and Mr Ben Morris will be stepping into the Acting Principal position during this time. Mr Jason Harvey will be taking on the Acting Deputy Principal position for this time. I will be returning to Coomera Springs on Monday 6th November.

Moving Forward to 2018

As we are in our strategic planning cycle for 2018, it is also time to reflect and celebrate all that we have done, are continuing to do, and all that we have achieved over the 2017 school year. From time to time, one of the areas I take time out to look at is our school Facebook page. I do this as it is a great reminder to me of all that our students get to experience here at Coomera Springs SS. Each term we have an enormous amount going on, and we continue to work very hard in ensuring that our students have an opportunity to experience great success, social experiences, digital learning, wider citizenship opportunities and our continued sporting and cultural programs.

We will review all of this and look at how we can maintain and grow all that we offer our students here.

Interestingly, I was watching a news item on the topic of schools being held responsible for the teaching of social skills to students. Obviously the item had great debate and conjecture on this topic. What I can say is that here at Coomera Springs, we recognise the importance of social skills in our students, and we provide a variety of programs to expose, enhance and extend upon these skills. We also work under the ethos that there is a partnership between the school and parents. Continuing to strengthen this partnership is very important and this will feature in our 2018 improvement agenda.

Mobile Phones at School

A reminder that if your child brings a mobile phone to school, they must hand this into the office in the morning and come to collect it in the afternoon. This ensures the safety of such a device, and that they are not left in a school bag.

Have a wonderful week!

Kind Regards
Martine Gill

2018 Year 1 and 4 iPad Program

The response to our 2018 Student iPad program has been immense, thank you to those families from Prep and Year 3 with children going into Year 1 and Year 4 next year.

The purchasing portal has been very busy in processing all of the orders. Please remember that if you have returned the EOI’s you are then required to jump on the link below and purchase. The Pre-Christmas deadline of the 4th November for orders to arrive before the Christmas break is approaching. The next important ordering cut-off date is the 8th December. Orders placed between the 5th November and the 8th December will be delivered and ready for use Day 1 Term 1 2018. The portal will remain open after that, however delivery will not be day 1 Term 1.

Please note: For parents that have already ordered, can you please confirm receipt of sales reference number starting 99XXX as confirmation of your order, if this confirmation email has not been received please contact jon.tapia@compnow.com.au to confirm your order has been placed.

There are multiple payment options provided and these are all detailed on the website’s Parent Portal.

Please select the following link to access the portal.

Prep Enrolments and Transition for 2018

We are still taking enrolments for Prep 2018! If you have a little one who is due to start Prep next year (born between 1/7/12 – 30/6/13), please come down to the office to see Robyn, Judy or Ineke for an enrolment pack if you haven’t done so already. We have a program of events happening between now and the end of the year, so the sooner you have your enrolment forms in, the sooner we can include you in the parent emails!

Here is the program of transition events:

Parent Information Session

Thursday 19/10/17 – 9:00am in the school library

Future Springer Sausage Sizzle

Thursday 9/11/17 – 3:30pm

This is a free sausage sizzle! Come along for a chance to meet up with other families starting Prep next year. There will be a few games organised by our Prep teachers as well.

Orientation Days

Week commencing 13/11/17

Future Springers will have the chance to spend an hour in a real Prep classroom with a real Prep teacher while parents are taken for a tour of the school! Parents will be able to nominate a preferred day - more information will be emailed directly to those parents who have enrolled.

Pre-Prep Interviews

20/11/17 – 1/12/17

Admin Staff will contact those parents who have enrolled to arrange a 20 minute interview with one of our Prep teachers. Students will be asked to answer a few questions about themselves as well as demonstrate a few little skills. Students will receive a handy starter pack as a welcome gift at their interview.

We are very much looking forward to working with all of our Future Springers and can’t wait to meet them all! You can help get your child prepared for Prep by encouraging them to be independent (carrying their own bag, putting their own shoes on etc), reading with them as much as possible and having positive conversations about the exciting new adventure they’re about to embark on!

Prep Transitions at Coomera Springs State School are proudly supported by BOQ Beenleigh. Check out their flyer in this newsletter for some great offers on your home loan.

Colour 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

Triple P is an internationally - acclaimed parenting program which is offered free to all Queensland parents and carers of children up to 16 years of age. Triple P is considered one of the world’s best because it has been scientifically shown to work and because it’s already helped more than four million children and their families in more than 25 countries.

Triple P helps you:

• Raise happy, confident kids
• Manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
• Set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
• Encourage behaviour you like
• Take care of yourself as a parent
• Feel confident you’re doing the right thing
• Access the community

One-On-One Sessions

One or more flexibly scheduled personal sessions for parents of children 0-16 years of age in your home or at our office.

Group Sessions – Stepping Stones

We are presenting three 90-minute “Changing Problem Behaviour into Positive Behaviour” Stepping Stones seminars at the Robina Disability Services Centre in Term Four. Stepping Stones Triple P is a specially tailored program for parents of children with a disability and autism 2-12 years of age. After this workshop, you will have the skills to raise happy, confident children and build stronger family relationships. It also helps parents manage problem behaviour and developmental issues common in children with disabilities. Interested parents only need to attend one session as the content is the same.

Details of the next group sessions:

Who: Any parent/carer of a child 2 - 12 years old with a disability or autism
Where: Location: Campus Alpha – Level Two, 2 Investigator Drive, Robina
Register: Contact Wendy Hewetson on 5656 5899
When: 31 October 10 -11:30 am or wendy.hewetson@communities.qld.gov.au

Autism Gold Coast

Support Group Meeting Dates

Venue: Autism Gold Coast cottage in Cascade Gardens parklands, Broadbeach

Morning Coffee'n'Chat meetings:

10am-12 noon First Wednesday of the month, except in school holidays. Gold coin donation and bring a plate to share. Facilitated by Marie and Debra. For further info contact Debra 5508 2376. (Please leave a message if phone is unattended).

Next dates: 4th October, 1st November & 6th December

Evening Coffee'n'Chat meetings:

7pm - 9pm Third Wednesday of the month, except in school holidays. Gold coin donation and bring a plate to share. Facilitated by Helen. For further info contact Helen 5539 9903. (Please leave a message if phone is unattended.)

Next dates: 18th October 15th November

GC2018 Commonwealth Games

In less than 200 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.

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News from the PE Department

Years 4, 5 and 6 Gala Sports Day – Tuesday 24th October (week 4)

Students have chosen to compete in Netball or AFL at either Southport/Carrara Netball courts or Coomera Sports Fields. During our PE lessons we have been busy refining our skills and working on game play ready for the last Gala Day competition for 2017.

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.

Prep classes enjoying their PMP skills lesson.

Pimpama State Secondary College 2018 enrolments now open

FINA Diving Grand Prix – Southport Aquatic Centre

Diving Australia is pleased to invite your school to attend the FINA Diving Grand Prix Event to be held on the Gold Coast, Australia.

The event will be held from 9 - 12 November at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre – the host venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Come along and see the flips and spins from some of the top level divers around the world.

The FINA Diving Grand Prix is a free event; however standard spectator charges will apply to enter the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

Football sign up

Gold Coast United FC would like to extend an invitation to our students to trial for the 2018 football program.

The trials are coming up in October. More details and player registration link is on their website at:

News from our Music Department

WHAT’S ON IN TERM 4

The Music Department is as busy as ever this term! We have made some changes to rehearsal times for Term 4, and added some extra performance opportunities for upper school students now that the Musical is over. Our rehearsal schedule for Term 4 is as follows:

Monday before school – Intermediate Strings
Monday first break – Junior Choir (Prep – Yr 2)
Monday second break – Senior Choir (Yr 3 – Yr 6)
Wednesday before school – Combined Junior and Senior Band
Thursday before school – Senior Strings
Thursday second break – Junior Strings (Music Room) and Yr 5 & 6 “Music Count Us In” (Science Room)
Friday second break – Ukulele Band

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 2018 – PARENT INFORMATION SESSION

An Instrumental Music 2018 Parent Information Session will be held in the Music Room on Wednesday 1st of November, commencing at 3.30pm. This session will run for approximately 45 minutes, allowing parents to meet our Instrumental Music Teachers and find out about the costs, expectations and educational opportunities of the CSSS Instrumental Music Program.

We are looking for new Instrumental Music enrolments in the following year levels:

Current Year 2 students for Beginner Strings in 2018 (violin, viola, cello, double bass)

Current Year 3 students for Beginner Band in 2018 (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, bass guitar, percussion).

If you have an older child who is interested in joining the Instrumental Music program, or if you are interested in finding out more but cannot attend the Information Session, please email Mrs Murray for further details (amurr51@eq.edu.au)

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

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.

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:

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 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 8th November, 2017 at 3:30pm in the resource room next to the library.

Dates to Remember

Monday 16th October 2017 is a Pupil Free Day.

School Directory

Community Notices

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

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.

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