2 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

We are nearing the half way point of our final school term for 2018. With this, our warmer weather is starting upon us, as well as storm season. Traditionally, the storms seem to love hitting us right at the 3.00pm pick up time. For the most part, we have always been able to exit our students out safely. If there was a storm that was also electrical, we would resort to the safety plan of taking our students over to the hall where we would ask parents to collect them from. We have never had to go to this option, however, it is better to be safe than sorry.

School Fete

Such a big thank you to our P&C and to all of the wonderful parents who were able to help in the organisation, setting up and cleaning up of our fete last week. These events take a long time to prepare for, and an incredible amount of work from a large number of people. So thank you if you were able to spare time throughout the process in helping us.

I really want to encourage more parents to be able to offer some time in assisting with both school and P&C events. The thing about each event is that they simply cannot happen without the heavy lifting from our community. We work very hard to give our students the best opportunities possible, and that strong sense of community and belonging is paramount in the overall success of each event.

2019 Program Offerings

At Coomera Springs we have worked tirelessly to build some very special learning programs for our students. Once again we will be offering entry into the Centre of Excellence Music Program, with entry beginning at Year 4. As part of our yearly reviews, we have continued to make some tweaks to this program.

We are also offering our 1:1 iPad program across years 1-6. This information is available on our website, or you can contact the school and we can email you directly.

We are looking to extend our program offerings even further, so please watch this space as we continue to develop our ideas and share them with our community.

World Teachers’ Day

Parent Article from Mamma Mia Website

Last week we celebrated World Teachers’ Day and I came across this article and wanted to share it with our wider community.

Hey there adviser, educator, instructor, coach, tutor, guide, mentor, trainer, teacher; whichever you identify with, I just wanted to say a big thank you!

Today is World Teachers’ Day and it is a day that we need to not just say thank you, but we need to SHOUT it! We need to shout it because the fact is, teachers out there are truly the unsung heroes of society.

Why?

Because they are a group of professionals who work tirelessly and dedicatedly and who are rarely thanked adequately or really given the recognition, they deserve through conditions, salary, value or respect. Because they work day in and day out with the next generation of our society, the people we value, love and respect the most, our children.

What else is more important than that?

For hours each day they are actively engaging with often up to 25 children at a time. All of whom are often from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, personalities, needs, abilities and moods. And in addition to this, who are going through the biggest emotional, intellectual, physical and hormonal changes that they will ever experience.

Now not only do teachers somehow get an entire class of these ever changing/growing/developing/different children or teenagers to follow instructions, but they also teach them skills, knowledge and lessons that will shape their future and prepare them for the world.

Unlike most jobs, teaching isn’t 9am to 5pm. It is all day (and often nights), even on the weekend and even on the school holidays. Yep, sorry to ruin that perception of teachers relaxing at the beach every ten weeks, it just doesn’t happen.

Teaching doesn’t miraculously appear when the bell rings; it takes preparation, research, thought and passion. It involves developing lessons that will ensure those 25 sets of eyes are watching and the 25 pairs of ears are listening. Teachers spend hours of their time making sure their content is relatable, creative, imaginative, authentic, informative, accurate and fun. It is through personalised activities and tasks developed specifically for the children they teach.

Then once they have taught their classes and the hours of work for preparing is over, they do it all again. And in between those times they will check their students’ work, not only do they give grades and scores, but provide comments and suggestions of how to fix the problems or how to improve. They offer positive feedback about what has been done well and they will record this to observe how the student is developing and learning.

Teachers often become inadvertent social workers who can be a genuine solid role model for children. Teachers build trusted and strong relationships with their students, often for years of the most influential period of their life. They will hear about family breakdowns, tragedy and struggles, friendship squabbles and daily issues. They listen as their students share their dreams and aspirations and actively help them to achieve them.

Teachers are event planners, travel agents, tour guides, book keepers, sport coaches and first aid givers. The list goes on and on.

This is why we need to SHOUT thank you, this is why we need to SHOUT it as loud as we possibly can!

Kind Regards

Martine Gill
Principal

1:1 Student iPad Program

Now that Expressions of Interest have closed for the 1:1 Student iPad in 2019, it is time to purchase a device ready for the new school year. The Comp Now Parent Purchasing Portal is now open and ready for your orders! Orders placed before November 2nd are guaranteed to be delivered to school for parent pick up by the end of Term 4. Orders placed after November 2nd will be available for pick up in the first week of Term 1 2019.

If families are purchasing a device from another supplier or already have a device that meets the below specifications, the device will need to be delivered to the IT department on Monday 3rd of December. Please ensure that iCloud is signed out, the device is cleared/wiped or backed up (part of the enrolment process is to have a factory reset device) and also clearly labelled with the students full name and current class. The device will then be ready for pick up on the 12th of December 2018.

Student Leadership

Our Year 5 cohort have official entered into the student leadership process which will result in our 2019 Captains. 2019 will see the introduction of Performing Arts Captains who will join our School and Sports Captains on the school’s student leadership team.

Below is the timeline of the student leadership process.

Our school captains play an important role in school life at Coomera Springs. Their role varies according to their elected position, however below is an outline of what the role asks of them, some of their extra duties and the criteria.

Role:

1. To promote Coomera Springs State School through honouring the school rules and key values by setting a good example in uniform, behaviour and academic achievement at ability level.
2. To represent all students of Coomera Springs State School at public functions at both the school and greater community.
3. To welcome, thank and provide guided tours for important guests/visitors to our school.
4. To respectfully and responsibly voice the needs and concerns of students.
5. Meet regularly with Administration.
6. To participate in school decision-making processes.

Extra Duties:

1. Help set up and run assembly.
2. Help introduce new students, staff and parents to the school.
3. Assist in organising fundraising events.
4. Be a member of the Student Representative Council.
5. Be a Coomera Springer (playground leader).
6. Performing Arts Captains- must attend Eisteddfods, Muscial Showcases, Musical related events and assist with the running of Footsteps to Fame.

Criteria:

1. Leadership (demonstrated and/or potential)

• have a keen interest in the role of School Leader;
• have the willingness and ability to take on extra duties;
• display a respectful and responsible attitude towards others in the classroom and playground;
• be a confident public speaker and be able to converse with visitors;
• be trustworthy;
• Performing Arts Captains must be in the Music Program or participate in the Musical or perform in Footsteps to Fame each year.

2. All captains are required to:

• consistently show school pride by wearing the correct full school uniform;
• consistently demonstrate the school rules and key values.

3. Academic Achievement within own ability level.

4. Support from parent(s) and class teacher.

2018 Awards Ceremony - 4th December

This year’s award ceremonies will be held on the 4th of December. Both ceremonies will be held in the school hall with the Prep to Year 3 ceremony beginning at 9:15am and the Year 4 to Year 6 ceremony beginning at 11:30am.

Final Roll Call – 12th December

This year’s Final Roll Call will be held on Wednesday the 12th December, beginning at 11:30am. It will be a wonderful event which culminates our Year 6’s Primary School experience before embarking onto their respective high school.

HoSES News

Free Parenting Programs

There are a couple of program for parents coming up in this area.

Tuning in to Kids

A six sessions program that teachers parents/carers of 3-12 year old children how to become their child’s emotional coach. Help your child build resilience through understanding and managing their emotions. Suitable for parents of children with anxiety, emotional and behavioural issues.

Mondays 5th November - 10 November, 9:30am - 12 noon

1, 2, 3 Magic and Emotion Coaching

A three session program designed to help parents/carers of children aged 2 - 12 years to manage challenging behaviours. The program works equally well as a preventative tool and early intervention.

Wednesdays 14th November – 28th November from 9:30am - 11:30am.

Childminding is available for a small fee.

Book online at:

Community Access/Cooking

After a busy morning at the Pimpama High School Transition, some lucky Year 6 students enjoyed making, “Zones of Regulation” Funny Face Biscuits during Community Access. Pictured here is one of our senior students with her Happy, Sad & Angry Biscuits!

Connie McLean
Head of Special Education Services

PE Department News

Gala Sports Day - Tuesday 27th November - Years 4, 5, 6

Gala Day this term is on Tuesday 27th November. Students will play; soccer, oztag and tee ball against Park Lake SS and Highland Reserve SS.

The venues for this term are:

• Soccer – Viney Park, Coomera
• Oztag - Coomera Sports Park, Beattie Road, Coomera
• Tee Ball - Flooded Gum Park, Macauley Parade, Pacific Pines

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 three, please contact your child’s teacher ASAP.

Swimming Carnival – 30th November - Years 4, 5, 6

All students in years 4, 5, 6 will be participating in the annual house swimming carnival on Friday 30th November. Students will be walking to and from Coomera Anglican College. Please ensure you complete the permission note and return it to class teachers by Monday 12th November.

Mrs Hodder
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

IT Department News

Remember to check your iPad Warranty Status

• Have you checked your AppleCare Insurance status on your iPad recently?
• 1:1 iPad Families can actively check their iPads warranty status at any time by entering your iPad Serial Number at the below Apple website: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/au/en/
• The school can only assist families with lodging AppleCare claims IF your iPad is still covered by AppleCare. The school cannot assist with lodging claims for iPads outside of their AppleCare expiry date.
• AppleCare cover addresses Accidental Damage (cracked screens, cosmetic damage, stuck buttons etc) and device hardware faults experienced on your iPad. For a complete overview of what AppleCare cover includes for your iPad, please visit: https://www.apple.com/au/support/products/ipad.html
• For CompNow School Portal bundle purchases, AppleCare insurance was included within the total bundle price as standard. Your AppleCare cover automatically applies to your iPad at time of purchase and is covered for two (2) years from that date.
• Please communicate to your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions surrounding iPad faults, damages or AppleCare cover. Your communication will be forwarded on to the schools IT department.

Where Can I Find My iPad Serial Number to Check My Cover?

You can find your iPad Serial number on the back of the iPad.

OR

Go into the iPads “Settings” App > click General > click About.

Library News

BOOK FAIR HAS ARRIVED

All classes will be coming through this week to do their wish list to take home. Parents and carers are most welcome to visit and view the Fair this week. Please read the notices on the class windows and the library for buying times next week.

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.

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

Sue Marriott
Teacher / Librarian

Music Department News

Lyneham High School and Junkyard Beats Incursions

Over the past two weeks we have been very fortunate to be able to offer two fantastic music incursions for our students. Last week our school hosted a touring high school band of Year 10 students (Lyneham High School from Canberra) and were blown away by their talent and great song selections! This week we enjoyed a performance of “Junkyard Beats” from Queensland Youth Touring. The Year 4 and 5 Music COE students also spent an hour working “hands on” with the junkyard performers in a challenging interactive workshop. Fun for everyone! And a wonderful learning opportunity.

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

Senior Choir students in Year 4 - 6 represented our school with pride at a combined schools performance yesterday for the “Music Count Us In” (MCUI) day. Our Year 4 and 5 singers performed at the Surfers Paradise Foreshore, and our Year 6 singers sang at the Presidential Penthouse, on the 74th floor 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. So that we can share this celebration of MCUI with our whole school community, the Combined Choir and Ukulele Band will lead the school in singing the MCUI song for 2018, “One Song” on assembly in Week 6.

Instrumental Music Testing For 2019 Beginners

Thank you to everyone who has submitted an EOI form for Instrumental Music in 2019 – Year 3 Strings 2019 (current Year 2s) and Year 4 Band 2019 (current Year 3s). We will shortly be commencing the instrument testing phase, where students have an opportunity to try out playing the instrument/s they are considering learning. If you have not yet submitted your EOI form please do so ASAP or your child may miss the opportunity to try out on an instrument.

Footsteps to Fame Grand Final Winners!

Congratulations to all of the Footsteps to Fame winners who performed last Friday evening at our school fair, there were so many people who came up afterwards and commented on how professional you all were!

Footsteps to Fame 2018 Winners:

Junior Division (Prep – Year 3)

Singing – Cocona (Prep)
Dancing – Emily (Year 3)
Mix It Up – Jet and Alex (Year 3) performing a Comedy act.

A special thanks goes to Ty (Year 3) for stepping in to perform at the fair with Jet when Alex was unable to attend.

Senior Division (Year 4 – 6)

Singing – Haylee (Year 6)
Dancing – Macey (Year 6)
Mix It Up – WE HAD A TIE!! Jasmine (Year 6) playing Violin and Felix (Year 6) playing Piano.

Well done everyone!

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

P&C News

P&C Meeting

Our next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th November, 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

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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