21 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 3. It has been an incredibly busy and successful term and I think it is important to reflect on some of the activities and achievements over these past ten weeks.

As a quick snapshot, here are just some of the things that have happened:

• A very successful whole school review (our report can be found on our school website)
• Music Showcase Evening
• Incredible success at both the Beenleigh and Gold Coast Eisteddfods
• Brainiac Day
• Year 6 Camp
• Under 8’s Day
• Book Week
• Interschool Mathletics Challenge
• Fiver for a Farmer
• Dreamworld STEM Challenge
• Born to Read
• STEM Cup Finals at Griffith University

This is to name but a few of the activities that have occurred during these past ten weeks. Let’s not forget all of the teaching and learning that has happened each and every day in the classrooms.

Being a part of, and leading Coomera Springs State School is a privilege for me, and when I take these moments to reflect, I am always reminded of just how dedicated our staff are here and how committed we are to providing a quality education, and ample opportunities for our students to be successful.

I would like to wish all of our families a safe and wonderful Spring Break. If you are travelling, I wish you safe passage, and if you are staying close to home, I hope you have some quality fun time ahead.

2019 PARENT REQUESTS FOR FRIENDSHIP GROUPS

This is a repeat article from my last newsletter. Thank you to the parents who have already emailed through their friendship requests for consideration.

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.

Requests need to be emailed by Friday 19th October.

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.

DEVELOPING RESPONSIBILITY IN KIDS

Parent Article - By Michael Grose

Many parents ask me how they can develop responsibility in their kids. The answer is simple – give responsibility to them! Let them feed the family pet, empty the dishwasher, clean up the living area at the end of the day. Most kids rise to a real challenge when it’s sincerely given, and backed by realistic expectations.

We tend to give responsibility to the kids who don’t need it – the easy kids. But we often ignore the kids in our family who really would benefit from having some trust – the difficult kids, those that require following up. Sometimes the extra parenting work they require can seem all too much.

Belong through contribution

Kids belong in two ways in families – they either belong due to their positive contribution or they belong through poor behaviour. The family pest has as much cache as the responsible child – their parents certainly know they are around!

It makes sense for parents to work hard to provide opportunities for kids to contribute to their family so they feel valued for what they bring to their family, rather than for what they take.

Here are five practical tips to promote a sense of responsibility in your kids:

1. Start from an early age. Children as young as three are keen to help and take some responsibility but we often push them away and say, ‘You can help when you’re older.’ Train your kids from a young age to make a contribution so it becomes habit-forming. Remember, not every child will help equally. If your children are school-aged and do very little to help, then start with a few jobs each day and gradually increase the number.
2. Give kids responsibility that scares or surprises you. A neighbour gets her four year old to unpack her dishwasher each morning, plates and all. Another parent I know gets her five year old to help her younger sister get her breakfast each morning. Another gives over the weekly garbage to his ten year old with no reminders whatsoever. In each case, the kids rise to the challenge set by their parents. Give your child or teenager something that makes you think, ‘NO WAY! He can’t do that!’ Kids will often surprise adults with what they can do.
3. Make sure the responsibility is real. Setting the table, making beds and tidying rooms are jobs that others benefit from. Giving kids jobs just because you think it’s good for them, doesn’t cut it with kids. However, giving jobs that others rely on teaches them that their help is needed.
4. If a child forgets then no one else does the task. If a child doesn’t empty the dishwasher then it’s still there when they come home from school. Sounds tough but that’s how the real world operates. When you empty it, it becomes your responsibility. When we’re time-strapped it’s usually easier to do kids’ jobs for them. Nothing wrong with this once in a while as we help each other out in families. However, if you are always doing a child’s job then it may as well be yours.
5. Place help and responsibility on a roster. The use of rosters has the advantage of placing responsibility on to kids and takes you out of the picture. Remind them to check the roster, not to do their jobs! It’s a subtle but important difference.

Many parents call this type of responsibility ‘jobs’ or ‘chores’. I prefer to call it ‘help’. It’s just a little rebranding, but it reflects what it’s about.

Kind Regards

Martine Gill
Principal

Born to Read

Wow, what an amazing afternoon of celebration in the Coomera Springs classrooms and our Courtyard! Thank you to all parents and family members who were able to visit their children in their learning environment and then continue the festivities in the courtyard with One Detention, our Reading Competition Winners and visiting stalls. The support from our sponsors was once again amazing! Thank you to our major sponsors, UC Physio and LJ Hooker Coomera. The free library bags will be a very useful asset for our students to use in their day to day school life. Thank you to all the stall holders for your participation in the event; it definitely significantly added to the atmosphere of the afternoon. Thank you to our amazing P&C for your hard work not only on the day but in the planning of this event. Our school staff were amazing throughout the event, running stalls, dressing up and performing on stage. Finally, thank you to our students. The dedication you put into your reading every day gives us something to celebrate and acknowledge at Born to Read.

1:1 Student iPad Program Parent Information Session

Are you interested in your child being part of the Coomera Springs State School 1:1Student iPad program? If yes and you were not able to make the Parent Information Session on the 6th of September, join us early in Term 4 at one of our other sessions. During these sessions, parents will learn 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, please come to the next session at the beginning of Term 4 to find out more. All your questions will be answered during the Term 4 information session on the 18th October at 4pm in the Library and a session especially for our Prep (Year 1 in 2019) on Tuesday 16th October in the Library at 4pm.

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

1to1_EOI@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

Expression of Interest forms can be located on the school website

Music Centre of Excellence
Expressions of Interest for Year 4 2019!

2019 brings a very exciting opportunity for students entering Year 4 with the opportunity to become a part of the CSSS Music Centre of Excellence! The COE opportunity is open to students in our Instrumental Music Program (current Strings students and potential Band Students – parents of students interested in joining the COE as a part of our Band program will also need to attend a further information session in Term 4).

In addition to their participation in our Instrumental Music program, Music COE students will receive additional instruction in general (classroom) music with a focus on Music Technology and Performance Extension.

Students who are enrolled in the Music COE will benefit from the following components of the program:

• Enrolment in a Music COE roll class for a minimum of one year – all students in this class will be a part of the COE program.
• Participation in the Instrumental Music Program receiving small group tuition on a Strings or Band instrument with a Specialist Instructor once a week.
• Participation in Extra-Curricular Ensembles with opportunities to perform in the Choir or the Ukulele Band, for example. Each student in the Music COE will be a part of at least one Extra-Curricular Ensemble.
• Additional Music Specialist lesson (Classroom Music) – total of two 45 minute lessons each week.

The extra Music lesson each week will include the following:

• Extension in performance using a variety of musical instruments - e.g. Guitar, Piano, Ukulele
• Exploration of Music Technologies through the use of iPads – encompassing performing and recording skills and extension of musicality through various iPad applications

Expression of Interest forms are available at the office – please see Robyn, Judy or Ineke to fill one out!

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 Upper Coomera State College

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.

Year 6 to 7 SEP Transition to Pimpama State Secondary College.

Next term our students who access the Special Education Program have been invited to attend the Pimpama Inclusive Practices Transition Program. It begins in Week 2 and will finish in Week 5.

Students will participate in a number of exciting high school activities that will help them become familiar with the various locations and subjects available to them. They will have the opportunity to meet a number of their 2019 teachers and other students from a number of nearby schools that will join them in Year 7.

Welcome to Chappy Tash!

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Natarsha Whiteway who will be joining our support team at Coomera Springs State School as our new Chaplain.

She will be here every Wednesday and Thursday, working with and supporting some of our amazing and wonderful students and staff.

Connie McLean
Head of Special Education Services

Chaplain’s News

Hello from Chappy Tash

Hello,

My name is Natarsha and I am your new school chaplain. I studied Primary School teaching and have worked as a teacher and OSHC Co-ordinator. I am excited for this new role where I will have the time to help support students and the school community.

I will be at Coomera Springs State School every Wednesday and Thursday and am located in the Activity Zone. Please feel free to visit me for a chat or refer your child to me for support or a listening ear. I am here to support and help as much as I can and I am looking forward to meeting you and getting involved in the lovely CSSS community.

PE Department News

South Coast Regional Athletics

Congratulations to Brianna and Aasha for their effort at last week’s South Coast Regional Athletics Carnival! 112 schools from across the South East Region were represented and our girls did us proud and achieved some amazing results.

Brianna has qualified to compete at the State Athletics Titles held in Cairns in October. She will compete in 100m sprint and the 100m relay.

Mrs Hodder
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Library News

Dear Parents and Families,

Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:

• Set the example. Let children see you read.
• Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep up with changing tastes and reading skills.
• Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read.

Our space themed, out-of-this-world Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.

Book Fair dates: From the 30th October until 9th November. Times will be sent out next term.

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.

Return Library Books

Just a friendly reminder that any library books not returned before the holidays must be returned in week one of Term 4.

Sue Marriott
Teacher / Librarian

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

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.

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

P&C News

P&C Meeting

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 10th October, 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

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Community Notices

Queensland Maritime Museum’s Holiday Fun

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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