16 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we slowly get closer to the end of term we are still incredibly busy in our learning and multiple activities occurring.

We thank our parents for your continued understanding when we need to readjust the school timetable, such as what occurred this week.

Due to the weather forecast and the impact of the rain on our oval, we made the call to re-schedule the school cross country. Always our decisions will be around student safety. Whilst the morning did not bring the forecasted rain, the night before and early hours of the morning did, causing an unsafe running track. Our School Cross Country Carnival will now take place on Monday, 9th March.

I know some may have the questions of why do we timetable this event at this time of the year. That is because we are at the mercy of the district and regional events. These occur very early in Term 2, therefore schools have to host their school based event prior to be able to send students to the district event.

Every Day Counts

Multiple times across the school year, I share with our community the importance of Every Day Counts. As a mandate, schools take the attendance roll twice each day. We are required to monitor late arrivals, early departures and absences. When any of these areas reach what is considered to be a concerning level, we make contact with parents. This is done in the form of receiving a reminder letter. At times, we are then placed into situations where we meet with parents, and have also had to move forward with recommendations to prosecute.

School attendance is a legislative requirement, and absences do have an impact on learning. Of course, schools know that there are times of unavoidable absence. This could be a significant family situation that requires travel or certain scheduled holidays. We do encourage not to be taking days off for activities such as having a birthday.

If you struggle in getting your child to school, we work with families in assisting this process, being able to access external support and investigating alternate schooling options.

But the important thing to remember is every learning day counts in your child’s life.

School Council

As an Independent Public School, we run with not only a P&C Association, but also a School Council.

The purpose of a school council is:

School councils drive the involvement of the community in setting the school’s strategic direction and tone as well as endorsing important decisions such as strategic plans and budgets. This module is designed to provide information about the effective management of school councils including their purpose, their relationship with other governance and advisory bodies in the school, their establishment and constitution and how they can help develop the school’s strategic direction and key partnerships. This module can also be used to provide information about key school council roles and responsibilities to principals and new and prospective members.

School councils are also an essential and mandatory component of accountability in schools participating in the Independent Public Schools initiative.

This module has been developed as part of the support package for IPS schools but has been made available to support any school that chooses to establish a school council.

Education Queensland recognises that good decision-making often occurs at a local level through direct engagement with the needs and aspirations of the school community.

School councils are the primary mechanism for ensuring these needs and aspirations are addressed. School councils contribute to the strategic leadership of the school and act as the bridge between the school and its local community including staff, parents, governments, community groups and local business and industry.

With the freedom to respond to community needs and through the use of local expertise, school councils are well-positioned to embrace innovation to maximise student learning outcomes.

School councils play an important role in reviewing and/or approving school-based innovations such as:

• Working autonomously with local businesses, industry and other community organisations, leading to innovative models for sponsorship, industry and infrastructure partnerships
• Contributing strategically to the shape of curriculum offerings that suit the needs of students, for example: International Baccalaureate programs, extracurricular programs, gateway programs and centres of excellence
• Using local flexibility over finance and human resources to ensure resourcing and staffing plans meet local needs
• The development, use and sharing of facilities and resources.

Independent Public Schools

The principal of an Independent Public School has autonomy to:

• Participate with local councils, industry and their community to plan joint facilities
• Contract and manage their own maintenance using QBuild or contractors. School councils may have input into the principal’s deliberations, but may not enter contracts
• Develop and implement a Strategic Infrastructure (Assets) Plan directly with central office. School councils may provide input to the principal.

School councils offer Independent Public Schools the opportunity to draw on the professional networks and expertise of members to complement the educational expertise that already exists in the school. Schools can use this opportunity to develop innovative partnerships and educational programs to achieve the best outcomes for students.

Fostering innovation

School councils foster innovation when they:

• Monitor the school’s strategic direction
• Approve and monitor the implementation of:
  - school plans and policies of a strategic nature
  - other documents affecting strategic matters, including the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the school
• Advise the school’s principal about strategic matters.

The school council must perform its functions in a way that achieves the best learning outcomes for the school’s students.

We require one additional parent representative for our school council. If you are interested in nominating for this position, please contact me on mgill35@eq.edu.au.

Parking at School

Over the last six years I have written many articles regarding the safety of students and the school car park.

As a large school, this will continue to be an issue for us and one that does not have any immediate resolution that sits outside of driver choice.

We are very lucky in that we have two car parks available to our community. This is a lot more than most schools have. We are unlucky in that the number of spaces available does not meet the need of our size school.

Many of our students also live close by and have the opportunity to walk or ride to and from school, and we see each day the many families that utilise this option.

With the limited spaces available, drop off and pick up times are problematic and this is compounded by our school being on a double carriage way road that does not allow parking along the yellow lines.

Each day, we do witness a lot of illegal parking activity that is putting not only our students at risk, but also our families driving in and out of the school. Line of sight can impact students getting to their car safely.

Recently I have read on community pages about, why do we not have a crossing guard. This is a council supplied resource, and you need to meet criteria to be eligible. A crossing guard is not assigned to a school to monitor the human traffic in a car park, and we do not have a crossing on Old Coach Road.

The administration team does stand out at the school gate each afternoon, and not to just smile and look pretty as I have read. We are there to ensure safety. However, we are not able to direct traffic as we are not trained traffic controllers and doing this would place us individually into a litigious situation.

I have taken to physically standing in the bus zone to prevent parents from continuing to stop here to collect students, yet each day through driver choice, it is still happening.

As a community, I continue to remind you that each decision you make will either keep our students safe, or place them at risk. I emphatically encourage you to do the latter.

Getting the Screen Time Balance Right

By Martine Oglethorpe

I am always getting asked, ‘How much screen time should I allow my child?’

Here’s the thing. I don’t believe there is a magic number of hours a child should be ‘allowed’ or ‘not allowed’ screen time. There are many other more pertinent questions we should be asking about our kids’ screen time, aside from simply ‘how much?’

What are they doing on the screens? Are they safe? Are they engaging in positive interactions? Is their self-esteem intact, or are they comparing themselves to everyone else online who is (in their mind) smarter, prettier, skinnier or has more friends? Are they creating things or merely consuming? Are they in control? Are they able to put away a device without a tantrum?

These are just some of the things we should be looking at when it comes to our kids’ use of their screens. Which is not to say that the amount of time spent on screens is irrelevant. It is still valid to be concerned about how much time screens are consuming of your children’s days.

To help alleviate some of the concerns you may have, and to put some strategies in place, here are two things you can focus on when it comes to your kids and screen time.

1. Look at the individual child

How is your particular child coping? Each child is different. A boundary that works for one child may not work for another. Is your child in control of their screen use? Are they coming to the dinner table without a fight? Are they sleeping, eating, and keeping up with friends?

Conversely, are they showing signs of not being in control? If so then you may have to look at better ways to manage their time. Discuss the issue with your child and explain why they need better balance. Not because the technology is bad per say, but because they need to ensure there is enough time left in their day for all the other activities that are needed for their growth, development and wellbeing.

2. Are all of their other needs being met?

Are they getting enough;

Sleep time: It’s super important that kids are getting a good night’s sleep. Keeping devices out of the bedroom when they are young, and avoiding the screens for at least an hour before bed, helps ensure their sleep needs are met.

Bored time: Today’s kids don’t tend to get as much time to be bored as kids used to. It is an important skill to be able to fill in their time themselves. Bored time promotes creative play and thinking as kids are forced to come up with other ways to amuse themselves.

Connection time: Face-to-face interaction is obviously crucial for children’s social and emotional development and wellbeing. Time with friends, siblings and family members must always be a priority. Learning to engage, problem solve and read body language and facial expressions are all crucial skills that need real-life time and experience to develop.

Active time: A healthy body and mind requires activity and movement. Kids still love to get out and play. However, some may need a bit more encouragement to remind them.

Downtime: Whilst playing games may be described by many kids as their downtime (and yes, there is some validity to this argument) kids also need downtime that involves doing very little. It is in these moments of reflection, of thinking and of pondering, that our ideas come to us and our creativity for other activities flow.

Focus time: There are times of the day when all of us need to be focused on other tasks. These may be homework, chores, reading a book or the newspaper, building something or making something. There needs to be time in kids’ days where they are able to focus solely on a task without the distractions of a screen.

Mealtime: Getting plenty of good food is of course very important to kids’ wellbeing. But it’s not just about the food. Sitting at the table with parents, siblings or others, focusing on enjoying a meal together without the need of a screen, helps children to develop good habits while they are young which they can carry into the future.

Obviously there will be times when all these needs are not completely balanced. There will be periods when screens are used more often and times when one or more valuable need is neglected. But if we can use this as a guide and aim to fit the many key experiences our kids need into each day, we are much more likely to ensure our kids grow up with a healthy respect for their screens and a healthy respect for the many areas of their life that need to be nurtured.

Kind Regards
Martine Gill
Principal

School Photo Day – 21st & 22nd March

Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses and Other Public Transport

Our school takes pride in having students who are polite and considerate of others when travelling on public transport. Did you know that if your child travels by bus, they are expected to follow the code of conduct?

Further information and fact sheets about respecting other students, drivers and the community while travelling by bus are available on the TransLink website.

Train Travel for Easter and #GC2018

There will be timetable adjustments across the SEQ Citytrain network between 30th March and 20th April, so plan ahead if you're travelling by train over the Easter holidays or back to school next term.

Check out TransLink’s journey planner or the GC2018 specific journey planner.

HoSES News

NDIS Information

Please click on the link for information regarding the NDIS rollout, preparation for the NDIS, and where to find information about the events being held by the NDIA regarding the NDIS transition.

Parent Information Sessions

Are you keen to meet other parents who have a child supported through SEP?

Are you interested in finding out about our various school support programs or the upcoming rollout of the NDIS?

PE News

School Cross Country Carnival – Monday 19th March

Commonwealth Games Athlete Visit

To mark Commonwealth Day earlier this week some classes were very fortunate to have a visit from Kelsey Cottrell – a Commonwealth Games Athlete. Kelsey ran sessions in her sport of lawn bowls. Students practiced technique and accuracy in many types of target games. Students also enjoyed asking Kelsey questions about her sporting experience and the GC2018 Commonwealth Games coming in April. These students had an inside glimpse of what it’s like being a Commonwealth Games athlete; in the athletes’ village, travelling the world and the qualifying process. Kelsey also shared stories about meeting other famous athletes that she has met along her journey as a Commonwealth Games athlete for the past three games. We would like to thank Kelsey for taking the time out of her busy training schedule and coming to visit us at Coomera Springs State School.

Coomera Magpies Junior AFL

Coles Sports for School Vouchers

There is a box in the school office to drop off your Coles Sporting Vouchers.

Music News

Junior Choir

Students in the Junior Choir (Prep – Year 2) will be performing two songs at the upcoming Easter Hat Parade, “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” and “Aussie Easter (Oi Oi Oi)”. If possible, it would be great to see the Choir members wearing Music Shirts for this performance. The Easter Hat Parade will be held in the school hall on Wednesday 28th March, commencing at 9am. Come along and check out some fabulous hat creations, as well as performances by the Junior Choir, and year level performances from Prep, Year 1 and Year 2! Easter’s on its way!

Senior Showcase Choir

Students in the Senior Showcase Choir are busily preparing for two very different performances. The first performance will be at the school Anzac Day Service on Tuesday 24th April, where the choir will perform “Lest We Forget” wearing school formal uniform. The Showcase Performance (which will be seen at the Music Showcase Evening in July and again at the Eisteddfod in August) is beginning to come together - this year’s all singing, all dancing, costumed performance item is based around a Jungle Theme.

Ukulele Band

Our Ukulele Band has doubled in size this year! Ukulele Band members in Year 4 – 6 are working on fluency in playing 4 chord songs, in preparation for a performance at the Music Showcase Evening in July.

Music Shirts

Our performing ensembles look amazing in their Music Shirts. If your child is in Concert Band, Ukulele Band, Strings or Choir, now is the time to order your Music Shirt for 2018 – available from the uniform shop for $28. Music Shirts can be worn to school on Thursdays in 2018. Prep parents please be advised that Music Shirts are now available from Size 4 upwards.

Chess Competition

This term, a few students were selected to attend the Inter-School Chess Competition that was on the 9th of March. These students were selected as they consistently attend Chess Club and show confidence in the game. The students had a great day playing and advancing their chess skills. Congratulations to Seungwon Yun who took out first place in the senior division. All the students were respectful and showed great sportsmanship throughout the day. If your child would like to be involved in chess, please remind them to attend the Chess Club in the back of the library, every Monday at first break.

Kind regards,
Emily Marriott and Kirralee Hargrave

Colour Run – 23rd March

One Week to Go Til Colour Explosion

One week to go for our colour explosion and we can’t wait to colour up all our little kiddies.

If you have some spare time and wish to help on the day please email Sharon at coomeraspringspresident@gmail.com.

Some tips to remember:

• Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or coloured.
• Return your permission slip to school as soon as possible.
• Return your sponsor/prize form and any money you have collected to Frankie’s Tuckerbox before Friday 23rd March.

This week we will be coming around to drop off your special colour explosion sunglasses and certificate of participation.

P&C News

Air-Conditioning Update

We have booked in the next air conditioning install for the school holidays. Once we have tallied our fundraising from the colour run we will be able to advise if we can get the additional 4 classrooms installed as well.

The next lot of classrooms will hopefully be done over the Christmas holidays if our remaining fundraisers for the year are successful. These include a raffle (with a cruise as first prize), trivia night and of course our big fete!

Monitor versus Flexischools

We are pleased to advise that after a delay with setting up the payment gateway, the new online ordering system will be available from week 1, term 2.

We will send everyone an email shortly with instructions on how to set up your accounts with the new website. We are excited to finally have this up and running.

Sharon Sharp
P&C President

Uniform Shop

We have ordered our jumpers to be here when school starts back next term and we have been able to order them in a size 4! Please keep an eye out for more information.

The Uniform Shop is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.15am – 9.00am. Payment methods accepted include Eftpos and Credit Card.

Tuckshop

We are opened from 7.30am until 3:00pm for all your breakfast and lunch needs. Our home meal orders have now commenced. We cannot wait for you to taste some of our delicious fresh home made meals and for the price of $15 to feed a family of 4, we think it’s a great bargain.

Frankie’s Tuckshop Menu

The tuckshop is open Monday - Friday and offers a range of healthy choice options, please refer to our Tuckshop Menu for more information.

School Terms 2018

School Terms for 2018 are as follows;

School Directory

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Community Notices

Gold Coast Health Oral Health (Dental) Services

The Mobile Dental Clinic will be returning to Coomera Springs State School the week commencing 4 June 2018 , please refer to the attached Oral Health Service Provision Schedule for further details.

If you require an appointment before 4th June, please 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 and must be eligible to receive Medicare benefits.

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

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