27 July 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope that each and every member of our community enjoyed the winter vacation, managed to stay warm, but enjoyed themselves and time with family.

We are already well into the swing of teaching and learning, with two weeks under our belt. Make sure you keep your eyes on the school calendar with many events, excursions and notices across the coming weeks.

Term 3 Happenings

Every school term is a busy term, and Term 3 is no exception. We have many school wide and year level specific activities scheduled in. To name but a few:

• Music Showcase Evening – 1st August
• Year 6 Camp – Week 5
• 1:1 iPad Program Parent Information Sessions
• Brainiac Day – 10th August
• Under 8’s Day – 17th August
• Book Week Character Parade – 22nd August
• Mathletics Challenge – 28th August
• Born to Read – 18th September

This is not the extensive list of term happenings, just some of the school wide activities. There are excursions, eisteddfods and much more in the calendar. So keep an eye on the calendar and read your emails to stay on top of all of the events and any impact on you.

School Review Wrap Up

Last week, Coomera Springs State School had our Quadrennial School Review. This is a process that every Education Queensland school undertakes. What it involves is a group of external reviewers who assess the school practices against 9 domains that are outlined in the National School Improvement Tool.

These are:

• An explicit improvement agenda
• Analysis and discussion of data
• A culture that promotes learning
• Targeted use of school resources
• An expert teaching team
• Systematic curriculum delivery
• Differentiated teaching and learning
• Effective pedagogical practices
• School-community partnerships

Most staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are interviewed in this process. Parents in both a formal and informal setting are interviewed, as well as community members and partnering high schools.

Many thanks to all parents who were approached during this process, as well as the parents who were timetabled in. We are now awaiting our finalised report, of which the executive summary will be published on our school website, and I will include this in our newsletter.

I can share with our community that this was a very positive health check-up for Coomera Springs, and our feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Part of the process is for the reviewers to provide the school with recommendations in each domain to assist in the planning of our four year strategic plan. Even high performing schools require this, as we are all working towards continuous improvement.

Uniform Changes for Education Queensland – 2019

As you may have seen in the media recently, there has been an update to the Student dress code procedure. This has been published and is now available on the department's website .

A summary of the key changes is outlined below:

• Schools are obliged to offer shorts and pants as uniform options for all students in all uniform categories. This is a new obligation for schools, with implementation expected in 2019.
• Checklists have been created to support principals when developing and reviewing dress codes, and when resolving issues of non-compliance.
• Additional principal responsibilities have been included to reflect practices already undertaken by principals to ensure student dress codes consider purpose, community diversity, health and safety, anti-discrimination legislation, individual needs, functionality and affordability.
• The responsibility of P&Cs to support the school to resolve dress code issues and direct parents to the principal to discuss individual concerns is included.
• The responsibility of parents to commit to and support student compliance with the dress code has also been added.

As a reminder to our community, upon enrolment into any Education Queensland school, you sign a number of different documents. One of these being your support and compliance to the Uniform Policy.

This review will be addressed in upcoming P&C meetings, so I do encourage parents who are interested to come along.

Seven Phrases to Avoid When Kids Are Anxious

Parent Article by Michael Grose

Talking with kids when they are anxious can be hard work for parents and teachers. Sometimes just one word out of place or spoken with the wrong tone of voice can get a child’s back up, upset them or make them uncooperative.

Here are some common errors and what to say instead:

1. “Build a bridge and get over it!”

The “Come on. Get on with it” approach works with some kids some of the time. We often say this in exasperation, however if a child is genuinely anxious about a coming event or going into a new situation, or is worried about a looming change, then they need someone to understand their worries and fears. “Ahh! I can see you are worried about this” is a far more effective response.

Support starts by recognising anxiety in children and knowing how to respond appropriately so they know that you are taking them seriously.

2. “This is not worth worrying about. Stop being so silly!”

Similarly, not taking a child’s fears seriously or, even worse, making light of them, just doesn’t help. Kids need to know somebody understands how they feel.

3. “It’ll be right in the morning.”

The ‘get a good night’s sleep’ approach has some merit, particularly when a child is catastrophising or continually revisiting the same worries. Sometimes a child’s worries do seem better after a good night’s sleep. However, to children who genuinely experience anxiety a new day simply offers a new opportunity for feeling overwhelmed by worry and anxiousness. The source of the anxiety needs to be recognised and strategies created for management.

4. “Calm down will you!”

Anxiety can often show itself through high emotion and distress. The natural reaction of many well-meaning adults is to quietly ask an emotional child to calm down. However, a distraught child is likely to misinterpret your calmness for not caring. Often adult calmness in the face of a child’s upset just leads to more emotional outbursts. Better to match your level of intensity with your child’s level of emotion and talk them down. Saying, “Yep, I can see you’re upset. That’s understandable.” at the same intensity and volume that your child uses is likely to be far more effective in bringing down his or her emotions.

5. “OMG! That is horrible!”

It’s easy for a parent or teacher to take on a child’s anxieties and worries as their own. You can become just as emotional as the child, particularly if an injustice has occurred. Better to take a breath, stand back and be as objective as possible rather than be drawn into the vortex of a child or young person’s worries.

6. “You should be worried about that!”

Sometimes we can feed children’s anxieties and worries or even create worries that aren’t there. Be careful not to foist your own anxieties and fears on children and young people.

7. “Stop being so naughty. Behave yourself.”

Many children will act out when they are anxious and nervous so it’s quite natural to focus on their poor behaviour without thinking about the reasons behind that behaviour. When you know the triggers for your child’s anxiety then you are better placed to recognise anxiousness and respond appropriately.

Parents and teachers are in the best positions to support children and young people when they are anxious. Support starts by recognising anxiety in children and knowing how to respond appropriately so they know that you are taking them seriously and that you can support them both emotionally and practically to achieve what’s important to them.

Kind Regards
Martine Gill
Principal

Born to Read

Born to Read is Coming!!!!! 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 Tuesday 18th September 2018, beginning in classes at 2:15pm 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 in your calendar now and prepare to have a blast. During the afternoon go into the draw for amazing raffle prizes, jump on the jumping castle, read with GCCC Library and be entertained by the main stage and Rebel FM. It is set to be an awesome afternoon, we look forward to seeing you there.

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.

National Science Week- Pop-Up Science Centre

What - Pop-Up Science Centre
Where - Night Quarter – Helensvale
When - 11am to 3pm 19th August 2018
How much - Free

To celebrate National Science Week 2018, Education Queensland, The Department of Education and Training- South East Region and Griffith University will host the 4th annual Gold Coast Schools Pop-up Science Centre, showcasing STEM in South East regional schools.

The 4th annual Pop-Up Science Centre will be our grand finale event for 2018's National Science Week!

Want to know what a science centre would look like on the Gold Coast? Come along for a day filled with the Coast's very best hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities, demonstrations, science shows and special guests.

To celebrate National Science Week 2018, Education Queensland and Griffith University will host the fourth Gold Coast Schools' Pop-up Science Centre, showcasing science in the South East Region.

Last year's event was a huge success, with over 5000 members of the public attending the four-hour event and we look forward to making the Gold Coast Schools Pop-up Science Centre even bigger and better for you in 2018.

Open to all ages and FREE ENTRY!

For more information please contact: Randall Hall rhall23@eq.edu.au Ph: 5552 7627

We look forward to you being part of this outstanding opportunity to showcase STEM education in South East Queensland!

Year 6 Camp

Our Year 6 students are busily preparing and readying themselves for their school camp to Tallebudgera Beach School. Over the course of the 5 days they will be participating in a number of teambuilding and healthy living activities including:

• Surf Awareness
• Burleigh Mountain Walk
• Sustainable practise to protect the environment
• Indigenous perspectives
• Beach Challenges
• Tobogganing
• Canoeing

We wish our students the best of luck and look forward to seeing them grow throughout the week as they develop resilience and overcome the many challenges they will encounter in their time at The Beach School.

A few things to remember for our students staying at The Beach School:

• Refer to the provided packing guide when preparing for camp
• Return medical forms ASAP if not already done so
• Students are to wear their Year 6 shirts on the Monday of camp
• Medication to be provided to teachers first thing Monday camp morning

SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted 30th July to 24th August 2018. All families, school staff and a random sample of students will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what this school does well, and how this school can improve.

Access details for the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be sent home with students this week. The survey can be completed via computers, tablets or smart phones with internet connection.

Coomera Springs State School- Reading Competition

Coomera Springs State School is holding their inaugural Reading Competition. This competition promotes the importance of reading and celebrates all those who love to read. The competition will be held during Week 7, Term 3, with a specific date to be advised. Students have signed up to lunch time workshops to improve their reading fluency and expression in order to read confidently in front of an audience. There will be three place getters across each year level, with the winner of each year level being invited to read at ‘Born to Read’, our school’s annual celebration of Reading.

The student workshops are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am in the 3E classroom. Teachers have encouraged students to bring along the text they would like to read on a piece of paper. This is so teachers can work with the students to physically highlight parts of the text to remind them to use more expression or do an action to increase engagement.

The students have engaged extremely well in the workshops so far and it has been fantastic to see a variety of ages attending. The students also provide each other with feedback, this supports a collaborative and positive atmosphere during the workshops.

PE Department News

Gala Sports Day - Tuesday 4th September – Years 4, 5, 6

This term students from years four, five and six have chosen which sport they would like to play for Gala Sports Day – soccer, touch football and tee ball. Students will play against Park Lake SS and Highland Reserve SS.

Students will need to wear: their school sports uniform, hat, sunscreen and running shoes – NO Football boots.

Students will need to bring: two water bottles, packed lunch and morning tea – NO TUCKSHOP facilities are available. They may also bring a towel to sit on while they are eating or resting.

If your child’s contact details or medical condition has changed since term two, please contact your child’s teacher ASAP.

AFL Gold Coast

Mrs Hodder
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Music Department News

Footsteps to Fame

There are just 2 weeks to go until Round 1 of Footsteps to Fame begins! Round 1 will be held from Friday 10th to Friday 24th August (Week 4 – 6). Students have seen their Round 1 dates and times already, and the schedule is displayed on the Music Room door (M Block). In Round 1, costumes are optional, and the students will perform their acts in the play breaks (no audience). If you have any further enquiries about Footsteps to Fame please email Mrs Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au .

Music Showcase Evening

The CSSS Music Showcase Evening will be held next week, on Wednesday 1st August at 5:30pm in our school hall. This will be a very exciting evening of music and entertainment. All of our Instrumental Music ensembles will be performing, as well as our Junior Choir, Ukulele Band, Drumline and Music Centre of Excellence Classes! This is a great opportunity for parents of potential Instrumental Music students to come along and see what the program has to offer. Our whole school community is invited to come along and enjoy some wonderful entertainment – gold coin entry with light refreshments provided!

Please be advised that the Senior Showcase Choir will not perform at the Music Showcase Evening, however they will be performing at the junior and senior school assemblies on Friday 27th July.

Term 3 Eisteddfod Performances

Congratulations to our Senior Strings students who performed at the Beenleigh Eisteddfod on Wednesday, conducted by Miss Williams. Senior Strings received FIRST PLACE – an amazing effort! Well done everyone.

Permission slips for the Gold Coast Eisteddfod were handed out in rehearsals last week, and are due back at school by Monday 30th July.

Please take note of the dates and times for our group performances at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. The times shown below are either section start times or the time we have been asked to arrive by – it is impossible to predict exactly how long the sections will go or what time our students will be on stage.

Tuesday 7th August – Junior Choir at HOTA (10am start time)
Thursday 9th August – Senior Showcase Choir at HOTA (10.30am start time)
Tuesday 14th August – Intermediate Strings at HOTA (9am start time)
Monday 20th August – Junior Band at HOTA (9am start time)
Tuesday 21st August – Drumline at HOTA (2.30pm start time)
Thursday 23rd August – Senior Band at HOTA (6pm start time)

Music Shirts

Our performing ensembles look amazing in their Music Shirts. If your child is in Band, Strings or Choir now is the time to order your Music Shirt for 2018 – available from the uniform shop for $30. Music Shirts can be worn to school on Thursdays in 2018. Prep parents please be advised that the Music Shirts are available from Size 4 upwards.

PLEASE NOTE: All students performing in the Music Showcase Concert on Wednesday 1st August will require a Music Shirt for this performance.

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

P&C News

P&C Meeting

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 8th August at 3:15pm in the resource centre next to the library.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sharon Sharp
P&C President

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8.15am – 9.00am.

Tuckshop

We are open from 7.30am until 3:00pm for all your breakfast and lunch needs.

Frankie’s Tuckerbox 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 for 2018

School Directory

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Further into the sign-up process is the option for you to choose your association with the school (e.g. Staff, Parent, and Student).

Community Notices

Gold Coast Health Oral Health (Dental) Services

The Mobile Dental Clinic will be servicing Coomera Springs State School from the 7th June until the 4th October. Please refer to the attached Oral Health Service Provision Schedule for further details.

To arrange an appointment for your child, telephone The Oral Health Client Service Centre on

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.

For children to be eligible for free public oral health services they must:

• Be Queensland residents or attend a Queensland school; and,
• Be eligible for Medicare*; and,
• Meet at least one of the following criteria:
  - be aged four years or older and have not completed Year 10; or,
  - be eligible for the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule; or,
  - hold, or be listed as a dependent on, a valid Centrelink concession card

* Eligibility for Medicare includes holders of green or blue Medicare cards but excludes yellow Medicare cards which are issued to visitors from countries with reciprocal health card agreements.

Further information on public funded oral health services can be accessed via URL:

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