27 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Our school celebrates World Teachers’ Day on Friday 27th October. At Coomera Springs State School we are lucky to have the most amazing and dedicated teaching staff. Every day, Coomera Springs teachers do ‘whatever it takes’ to make a difference educating and inspiring our students. World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to acknowledge our teachers and say thanks for the significant contributions they make in our classrooms and communities.

Celebrated in more than 100 countries world-wide, World Teachers' Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1994 to recognise the role of teachers in society.

I would like to thank all of the teaching staff for the work that they do to make a difference in our kids’ lives and wish them a very happy World Teachers Day.

So Happy World Teachers’ Day to all of our staff!

Are You Leaving Us at the end of 2017?

If you know that you are not returning to Coomera Springs State School in 2018, please let the school office know (this does not include our Year 6 students transitioning to high school).

Award Ceremonies Date Saver

This year’s awards ceremonies will take place on Monday 4th December. This year there will be two separate celebrations, Years Prep- 3 and 4-6.

Years 4-6 Award Ceremony: 11:20am
Year P-3 Award Ceremony: 1:30pm

Final Roll Call

Final roll call is an important event in our school calendar where we officially say farewell and offer best wishes to our Year 6 students transitioning to high school. This year’s final roll call will be on the 6th December at 11:30am in the school hall. Following the ceremony, the Year 6 cohort will take advantage of the occasion for photo opportunities with parents and extended family.

We look forward to you joining us on this special occasion.

Kind Regards
Ben Morris
Acting Principal

2018 Year 1 and 4 iPad Program

The response to our 2018 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 of November for orders to arrive before the Christmas break is fast approaching. The next important ordering cutoff date is the 14th December 2017. Orders placed between now and the 14th 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. There are multiple payment options provided by CompNow and these are all detailed on the website.

Parents who have already placed orders will be emailed by the school and informed where and when the pickup will take place.

Please note: For parents that have already ordered and not yet done so, please confirm receipt of the 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.

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 upcoming transition events:

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. The Prep staff will also be there and are available to answer questions, as well as organise a few games.

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 while parents help us out by filling in an electronic survey all about the kids! 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!

ATTENDANCE IN QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS COUNT

All schools in Queensland are committed to providing safe and supportive learning environments for all students to address their educational needs.

Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Additionally, attending school every day helps children to build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience. Attendance means not only attending school every day, but also arriving at school on time and remaining at school for the entire day.

From our close observations, students who are continually late, often become anxious about walking into a class that is already settled, hence creating a situation where the student would rather not come to school. The risk of missing instructions for core lessons is high and there is often disruption to other students’ learning and settlement when a student enters the class late.

Under the law, you must make sure your child is enrolled and attends school on all school days unless there is a reasonable excuse. Schools are mandated to monitor attendance of students and follow up with parents and caregivers any unexplained absences.

Coomera Springs State School is committed to promoting the key messages of the Queensland State-wide initiative Every Day Counts which promotes four key messages:

• All children should be enrolled at school and attend school every day.
• Schools should monitor, communicate and implement strategies to improve school attendance
• Truanting can place a student in unsafe situations and impact on their future employability and life choices
• Attendance at school is the responsibility of everyone in the community

Born to Read- Parent Information Session

On Tuesday 7th November, CSSS staff invites all parents to an information session about Reading; it will be held in the Library and will commence at 3:30pm. This session will focus on reading strategies, in particular word attack skills and comprehension. It is a great opportunity for teachers to explain strategies to parents that are used in the classroom so that common language is being used both at school and home. The session will also unpack a variety of texts that students can read at home that are relevant to them. We look forward to seeing you there!

2018 Leadership Passports

All 2017 Coomera Springs State School Year 5 students will take on the roles and responsibilities of a leader in 2018, however there are also a number of formal leadership opportunities in 2018; School Captains and Sports Captains. Leadership does not always come naturally but is developed through activities and lessons, not only at school, but also in our everyday lives.

To apply for a formal leadership position in 2018, 2017 Year 5 students will be required to complete and submit their Leadership Passport. The Leadership Passports have been handed out to the students. Students are required to submit their Leadership Passports by 3:00pm Wednesday 8th November then deliver a speech to their peers at a later date.

GC2018 Commonwealth Games

In less than 170 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.

News from the PE Department

Save the Date – Years 4, 5, 6 Swimming Carnival

Students in years four, five and six will be participating in the annual Swimming Carnival on Friday, 1st December 2017 at the Coomera Anglican College Pool. All students in years 4, 5 and 6 are expected to attend. Permission notes will be emailed home this week.

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.

BOOK FAIR IS COMING TO CSSS!

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please note, our Book Fair is starting on the 30th October 2017. To make it easier for students and families, the Fair is held over two weeks.

The first week students will be viewing the Book Fair to find out what is available to buy and filling out their wish lists. The second week starting Monday 6th November, parents, carers and students will be able to start buying. The times will be stated on the notices that will be displayed in the classrooms.

Please note once again, to make it easy for payments, you are able to pay by Credit / Debit Card, by cash and by paying Online and sending the order form back to school to purchase your item.

Thank you for your understanding and I hope this will be easier for all. If you have any queries, please contact me in the IZONE Centre. [Library]

Happy Reading!

News from our Music Department

LYNEHAM HIGH SCHOOL BAND PERFORMANCE

Last Thursday our students had some special visitors - Lyneham High School’s year 10 Concert Band! A total of 78 students and their teachers travelled from Canberra to the Gold Coast on a week-long Music Tour, and we were one of the lucky schools that got to experience their concert performance. Our students thoroughly enjoyed this engaging and fun musical experience, especially those who had a chance to try out their conducting and percussion skills in front of the school! We hope that the Lyneham High Band will visit our school again soon.

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

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 (Slushies’ 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:

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

Colour Run

We are holding our colour run on Friday 3rd November from 1.30pm. This will be an amazing event with lots of colour, laughter and fun! If you are free to help us on the day please email Sharon at coomeraspringspresident@gmail.com the more hands helping the more coloured the kids will get!

Movie Night and Camp Out!

The movie night is being held on Friday 10th November. We are also holding our camp out on the same night. Activities start at 4:00pm with a 7:00pm movie start time.

Limited tent sites available! $10 per adult and $5 per child includes dinner and breakfast plus fun and games. A fun filled camp night on the school oval. Purchase your spot by emailing coomeraspringspresident@gmail.com or see Kylie at Frankie’s Tuckerbox.

P & C meeting

Our next P&C meeting is being held on Wednesday 8th November 2017 at 3.15pm in the Resource Room next to the Library. We look forward to seeing parents at these meetings. We hope to see you there.

Sharon Sharp
P&C President

School Directory

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Community Notices

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:

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