7 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Finally, it has been great to have a little bit of rain this week. Unfortunately, this did mean the postponement of our scheduled Gala Sports Day. We will endeavour to reschedule this event for our participating students.

With only two weeks remaining of Term 3, it is all action here at school. During Term 4 we begin our planning cycle for the 2019 school year. So keep an eye on the school communication to stay on top of all the information sessions, program possibilities and requested information.

2018 NAPLAN Results Are In

Each year, every school across Australia undertakes national testing in both Literacy and Numeracy and this is known as NAPLAN. In the primary sector only students in Years 3 and 5 participate in this national testing.

The results for 2018 have come in and there is a lot for Coomera Springs to celebrate and be proud of. Relative gain for our Year 5 cohort in most areas is very notable and the mean comparison for our Year 3 cohort is amazing. Below is a table showing the school’s mean scale score performance in each of the five strands compared to national performance.

Home Survey for NAPLAN

The Queensland Government is undertaking a review of NAPLAN in the Queensland context to better understand the impacts NAPLAN is having on learning and teaching within the state.

The first stage of the review, conducted in June 2018, focused on consultation with parents.

The second stage is now underway, with consultation extending to students, teachers, principals and other key education stakeholders across Queensland.

Queensland students in years 3 to 10 are now invited to provide feedback on their experiences with NAPLAN, via an online survey. Students wishing to participate will require the consent of a parent or carer who can assist with completing the survey at home.

This project has received ethical clearance from both the Australian Catholic University and the Department of Education. Further information on the Student Survey and the Review are provided within the survey link.

2019 Parent Requests for Friendship Groups

Even though we are still in Term 3, this is the time that we begin our planning phase for 2019. One of the areas that takes both a long time, and a lot of consideration is class placements for students.

If you have any particular requests for 2019 in terms of friendship groupings, please send this through to the following email address:

classplacements@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

Please make sure that you include:

• Your child’s full name
• The grade that they will be entering into for 2019
• Your friendship request

Please note that these requests are not for teacher placements, and if you have lodged a previous request for friendship groupings in past years, you still need to submit one this year. Also, this is just a request and no guarantees are given that these requests can be met.

Are You Leaving Coomera Springs in 2019?

If you are leaving our school for the 2019 school year, can you please inform the office. This does not include our graduating Year 6 students.

This information helps us immensely in the planning of classes for 2019.

Parent Communication

In quite a number of emails in the past I have written about the expectations of maintaining a polite and professional level of communication between parents and school staff. I do need to thank the absolute majority of our parents who do ensure that they communicate with staff in this manner.

On occasion, some approaches and exchanges are aggressive, rude, accusatory and even threatening. I can appreciate that if you are receiving negative news about behaviour, or something of concern, that as a parent you want to defend your child. However, I also remind people that if the school has put into place a consequence for unacceptable behaviour, this has not been done flippantly. Rather, the decisions made are on a balanced judgement of the facts presented.

In recent weeks I have had to communicate directly with parents regarding the use of offensive and profane language, and remind them of the expectations. Our school for the most part has been very fortunate in the positive relationships we share with our community and we are always here to work in the best interests of our students.

Is Your Child’s Brain Ready for the Online Playground?

Parent Article - By Martine Oglethorpe

Every week I spend time with teachers, students and parents helping them understand technology and the digital world, and present strategies to manage devices at home and at school. Ultimately, I want to ensure they are kept safe online and have the ability to thrive in this world, whilst reaping the many benefits the technology has to offer.

I am certainly not against technology, against social media or against video games. In fact, I see great benefits to incorporating them into our lives and the lives of our children. What I am against however, is the handing over of the devices with full access to the internet when there is little understanding of the potential harm and little to no safeguards.

We have all heard the stories, seen the headlines and clicked on the alarming clickbait. Stories of grooming where the young and vulnerable are lured away from their screens and in to the clutches of some paedophile. Yes those stories are out there, and while still a small minority of cases, the consequences are devastating. And aside from the grooming, there is the exposure to so much inappropriate, pornographic content that young people are being inadvertently sent via social networks and gaming platforms. Recent reports of a young girl finding herself in a sex chat room in the kids gaming platform Roblox is just one of mention.

What happens when kids find themselves in dangerous or perverted circumstances is usually the result of playing in playgrounds that they are just not cognitively and socially and emotionally developed enough to handle. When we place a child in an adult space, where adults are hanging out, (many of whom don’t have their best interests at heart), we are asking them to make decisions and judgements and think in the critical ways that they are simply not equipped for.

In my student sessions we discuss how easy it is to be someone else online and how we can better arm ourselves with the skills and thinking to make accurate judgements about someone’s identity. When I show them a picture of a made-up avatar with a picture of Justin Bieber and I ask them to tell me how they would know if he was the real deal, I get the same responses every time. Every single time from kids as young as 8 right through to those hitting their teens, I am met with suggestions such as “I would just ask him the name of his first song he wrote, not the one he released as not many people would know that”. Or “I would ask him the name of his first pet?” Or “I would ask him things that only really hard-core fans would know and ask him to tell me really quickly before he had time to google it”.

Every week when I do this exercise I am reminded that they are just not there yet. Their brain development is just not at a point where it can accurately make these decisions and come to the right conclusions. It isn’t because they are naïve, or stupid, it is simply because they haven’t been on this earth long enough, and their brain has not had the chance to grow, learn and think in ways that are beyond what we are expecting of them.

Now, as I said, I am not against kids playing in some of these places but it must be done with absolute supervision while they are young. That means finding out about the platform they are wanting to hang out in. Finding out how you can make it as safe as you possibly can. Find out what settings to put in place and what 3rd party software you may need to look at to keep things under control and away from curious eyes.

If you are deciding to allow your child to have a device, search the internet, open a social media account or to play an online game, make sure that while you must certainly be teaching them the skills and thinking they will need, you cannot rely on that teaching alone. So, check age guidelines and if you think your child can manage and you are prepared to put in the time with them, then you must:

Play that game: have a go at playing that game even if it is driving you crazy. You may just have some fun, enjoy some bonding and most importantly be able to have the most relevant conversations about any themes, content or possible dangers that may be found while playing.

Go to the settings: Always, always, check out what is available in the settings to make the experience as safe and user friendly as possible. This is where you can select who can contact your child, who can see their content, what content they can see, who can comment to them, what they can say, what words or phrases they can hear etc.

Google the potential risks: Understand some of the risks that have been associated with the game or app so you know you are doing all you can to avoid that risk.

Connect with your child: Talk to your child about what they like to do. We don’t always have to be lecturing about what not to do online, but we can certainly be speaking about the positive elements and how we can encourage them to find ways to enjoy the good.

Watch them in this playground: Just as you would when they first take off the training wheels, or first make it on to the skatepark, we watch to see how they are going. Check to see if they are learning from past mistakes, to see if they have a back-up plan, to warn if you need to and to help them get back up again should they fall.

We don’t send our kids to adult movies when they are young because they don’t have the cognitive development to process much of that content which may well be inappropriate. We don’t send them to the city alone full of strangers and expect them to navigate on their own and make decisions about unfamiliar people and surroundings. And so too, we must not hand over the digital world without both the teaching, guidance and connection, as well as the safety strategies, the boundaries and the research to know that they have the ability to remain safe and make the best decisions for themselves in the online world.

You can attend our upcoming webinar, Managing video games and the next digital craze, at no cost!

As your school is a Parenting Ideas Schools member, you can attend our upcoming webinar Managing video games and the next digital craze with Martine Oglethorpe at no cost! Use the voucher code below to register for the webinar valued at $37 per person.

About The Webinar

When it comes to kids and video games there’s so much for parents to learn. Why are kids so fascinated? How to manage the next craze? How to assess a game’s suitability for your kids? And there are so many decisions you have to make as a parent when your kids become interested in the video game craze. Should you ban your child or young person? What’s the best approach to take? When should you worry? Join parenting and technology expert Martine Oglethorpe for a practical 60 minute webinar addressing the issues you need to know about.

When

Thursday 13 September 2018 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM AEST

Catch up available: If you can’t make the scheduled webinar time, you don’t have to miss out — simply register for it and a recording will be made available for you to catch up anytime. This recording will be available to everyone who registers, which also means those who attend can listen to it more than once.

Price

This webinar is $37 per person to attend, and is free of charge to families at schools that have a Parenting Ideas membership.

How to Use the Voucher

1. Go to www.parentingideas.com.au/product/managing-video-games-and-the-next-digital-craze/
2. Click ‘Add to cart’ and proceed to the cart when you are ready.
3. Enter the coupon code Balance and click ‘Apply’. Your discount of $37 will be applied to the order.

Kind Regards
Martine Gill
Principal

Born to Read – 18th September

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.

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.

We are also opening our classrooms from 2:15pm to enable our whole community to immerse themselves in the teaching of reading. Please come in and visit your child in the classroom to celebrate reading across Prep to Year 6.

Make sure you don’t miss the fun, mark the date in your calendar now and prepare to have a blast. It is set to be an awesome afternoon, we look forward to seeing you there.

Our School leaders pounded the pavement to visit some local businesses that are sponsoring and supporting Born to Read. It was such a great experience for our Leaders to represent our school in the wider community and pass on their thanks to our sponsors and supporters.

We would like to thank UC Physio for the continued sponsorship of Born to Read.

Coomera Springs welcomes L J Hooker Coomera to Coomera Springs State School and thank them for their sponsorship of Born to Read.

UC Dental, thank you for your generous donation of books for the Born to Read Chillax Zone and donating some excellent items for our Born to Read raffles.

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.

1:1 Student iPad Program Parent Information Session

Thank you to those who were able to join us on Thursday 6th September for our 1:1 Student iPad Program Parent Information Session. During the session parents learnt about how our program will look in 2019, the specifications of devices accepted into the program and the associated processes related to the program. Before you do anything toward 1:1 in any year level at CSSS, come to our next session. All your questions will be answered during the Term 4 information session on the 18TH October at 4pm in the Library.

For those who attended the first session on the 6th of September, please email the completed Expression of Interest forms through to the below email address.

1to1_EOI@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

Year 6 Transition Day Pimpama State Secondary College

Year 6 into Year 7 UCSC Enrolment Information Evening – 24th October

Year 6 into Year 7 UCSC Transition Day – 3rd December

HoSES News

Year 6 to 7 SEP Transition Program

Students attending Upper Coomera State College for year 7 next year are invited to attend their transition to high school program provided by the Stanley Advancement Centre.

This transition program provides a thorough and comprehensive introduction to the routines and programs of Upper Coomera State College. The visits will incorporate:

• Looking at a map and familiarising the students with the physical layout of the school
• Meeting staff and relevant teachers
• Working through a familiarisation booklet designed to help your child get to know staff, location, processes and procedures.
• Reading and interpreting timetables
• Opportunities to ask questions about any aspect of secondary schooling.

This background information and extra time spent at College is intended to decrease anxiety and to give a real sense of knowing people and places prior to starting high school in 2019.

If your student has enrolled to attend Upper Coomera State College and currently accesses the Special Education Program (SEP) they will be provided a letter with the intended transition dates.

Connie McLean
Head of Special Education Services

PE Department News

Oztag Clinic

Last week all classes were fortunate enough to have Angie and Cat from Oztag visit during their PE lessons. Below is some information from Coomera Oztag:

We have enjoyed being at Coomera Springs SS this week conducting basic skills clinics during PE classes, the kids have been having a great time! With winter sports finishing up, Oztag is a great option for some after school fun & fitness.

Students can enter full teams or register as small groups/individuals. Simply make a note, ‘Coomera Springs SS’ enter their class in the ‘Friends name’ box and students will be grouped together into teams.

Tuesdays - U5/6s through to U15s
Round 1 date – Tuesday, 11th September
Venue - Coomera Sports Park near Dreamworld

Registration - $85 + $11 annual membership
PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE
Get Started Vouchers accepted

For more information visit the link below or Facebook - Coomera Oztag

Mrs Hodder
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Music Department News

Music COE Class (Year 4 2019) EOI Forms Due Friday 21st September

It was great to see so many parents in attendance at our Information Session last week, and we have also had many enquiries come in by email. If you would like your child to be considered for the COE program please ensure that you have returned your Expression of Interest form to the school office by Friday 21st September. Hard copies of this form are available from Robyn Anstey in the office, or an electronic copy can be emailed to you. If you would like to receive an electronic copy of the EOI form, or if you were unable to attend the meeting but would like further information about applying for the Music COE please email Mrs Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au

Queensland Symphony Orchestra Excursion (Year 4 & 5 COE Students)

Our Year 4 and 5 Music COE students will attend an exciting excursion in Brisbane next week on Wednesday 12th September (to watch an orchestra performance of “Babar the Little Elephant”). This is an ideal opportunity to see a professional orchestra performance which links with the COE curriculum.

Senior Choir Yr 4-6 Music Count Us In (MCUI) Excursion

Senior Choir students in Year 4 - 6 have received permission notes this week for a combined schools performance next term, for the “Music Count Us In” (MCUI) day. Our Year 4 and 5 singers will perform at the Surfers Paradise Foreshore, and our Year 6 singers will be singing at Skypoint, at the top of Q1! MCUI gives us a wonderful opportunity to perform in combination with other school choirs, and is a great way to celebrate music in our schools. Permission notes for this excursion need to be returned before the holidays (by Wednesday 12th September), to allow us time to collate and send through all relevant information to the regional organisers of MCUI.

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

P&C News

P&C Meeting

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 12th September, at 3:15pm in the resource centre next to the library.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Teddy Bear Drive

We are on the lookout for any used (or new) teddy bears or stuffed toys that you no longer want.

We will be using them for one of our stalls at our fete. Please drop off your stuffed toys to the uniform shop.

Cent Auction Baskets

We are asking our school community to please dig deep and donate to the basket which is allocated to the grades below. The basket packs are as follows:

Prep – Family Pack – (anything that can be used by everyone)
Year 1 – Girls Pack – (anything for girls - hair, makeup, girls games etc)
Year 2 – Dad Pack (dad items - aftershave, tools etc)
Year 3 – Boys Pack (anything for boys - lego, colouring in etc)
Year 4 – Entertainment Pack (games, movies, Snack food for a night in with the family)
Year 5 – Mum Pack (things mum would love to have, chocolates, candles etc)
Year 6 – Pet Pack (food, toys etc)

Any donation big or small will be greatly appreciated.

Sharon Sharp
P&C President

Uniform Shop

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

Tuckshop

Ellie’s Café

We are open from 7.30am until 3:00pm.

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

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).

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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