22 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Well we are right into the swing of Term 1 and our learning. All Parent Information Sessions have been held this week, and I hope you were able to take the opportunity to pop in and hear about what you can expect in this year ahead.

Don’t forget that if you do have any queries and/or concerns throughout the year, your child’s teacher is your first port of call.

Annual Improvement Plan

Each year schools are required to develop and implement an Annual Improvement Plan (AIP). This plan is what guides much of the school’s direction for the year. We develop these plans in consultation with staff, and using all data sources available.

We were fortunate in that we had our School Review in July, 2018. It was through this review that we receive recommendations for improvement. I was incredibly proud of the performance of Coomera Springs State School as a whole, and the recommendations we received were framed around, ‘continue to’, ‘build upon’.

With this in mind, we have reviewed our 2018 NAPLAN data, and have drafted our Annual Improvement Plan. There are no significant shifts from 2018, we will be focusing on growing the great things that we already do.

I will share this plan with our community in the next newsletter and then invite parents in for our first Feedback Friday session to discuss this plan.

Every Day Counts

Every day counts…. because children achieve better when they go to school all day, every day
Every day counts… because going to school means getting a better chance at life
Every day counts… because school helps children make friends and be happier
Every day counts… because the law says children must go to school

What the law says:

• You must make sure your children go to school on all school days unless you have a reasonable excuse.
• You must not keep your child away from school for minor reasons.
• Schools must check to see that children are coming to school.
• Schools must let you know if your child is not coming to school.

What the school will do:

• Mark rolls at school to see who is there
• Let you know if your child is not at school
• Ask you why your child isn’t at school
• Teach them every day
• Help you to get your child to school

Support for families

If your child does not want to go to school, or is missing school without you knowing, contact your school.

Social Media

Social media has the capacity to be a wonderful portal of information and sharing. It has the equal potential to be extremely damaging.

As adults, it is our responsibility to role model to our children the appropriate uses of social media.

I know we all enjoy having an opinion. Whether it be a well-informed opinion, or based entirely from emotion.

I want to remind our community that whether a page is private or public; once you write your commentary, it is considered published work. Naming and shaming for the sake of venting serves absolutely no purpose and causes untold damage to people.

My advice is clear and simple. Use it wisely!

Encourage Kids to Help Out at Home Every Day Without Pay

Parent Article - by Michael Grose

Confident kids are competent kids. Past experience has taught them that they can be successful. The easiest (and most neglected way) to help develop competency is to give kids opportunities to help out at home. Don’t overburden them with jobs. Sensibly allocate chores according to their age, interests and study requirements.

Expect children and young people to help without being paid.

Provide pocket money, but avoid linking it to chores. Helping in exchange for money develops in children a notion of ‘What’s in it for me?’ which is a self-centred view of life.

However many parents tell me that they can’t get their kids to help unless they pay them. Those parents have made a rod for their own backs. It’s time for a change of tune. Don’t wait until they are old enough to help. Start now, regardless of age. Toddlers and teens and all ages in between should be expected to chip in and help.

The term ‘chore’ definitely has an image problem. Use the term ‘help’ as it is easier on the ear and really does indicate what you want from your kids.

Here are eight ideas to help you get your kids to help out at home without being paid:

1. Keep jobs real
   Kids can sense it when parents give them jobs to keep them busy. Make sure the jobs you apportion make a real contribution to their own family’s well-being.
2. Balance the personal chores with family jobs
   Chores are generally divided into two areas. Jobs such as keeping a bedroom tidy benefits a child and jobs such as setting the table benefit the family. By doing this kids learn to contribute positively to family-life.
3. Place more difficult tasks on a roster
   The children can refer to it when needed, which takes the load off you and removes the need to remind them. Rotate the unpleasant tasks frequently. And here’s the key to making rosters work – place yourself on the roster too! Kids are generally more willing to help when you as a parent are involved.
4. Use Grandma’s principle to make sure jobs are done
   Grandma’s principle means you do the less pleasant tasks first. That is, make sure jobs are finished before mealtimes or before starting pleasant activities such as watching television.
5. Avoid doing jobs for children
   When children get the message that no one will do their jobs for them they will be more likely to help out.
6. Show your appreciation for their help
   Make a fuss when they help so they know that their contribution to the family is valued. If you do it often enough they may even show their appreciation for all you do for them!
7. Keep your standards high
   Don’t accept half-hearted efforts or half-completed jobs. If you think your child is capable of putting the cat food back in the fridge and placing the spoon in the dishwasher then insist that he or she does just that, rather than leaving the cat food on the sink. A job properly done is valued in the world of work, which they will eventually enter.
8. Rebrand the term ‘chore’ as ‘help’
   The term ‘chore’ definitely has an image problem. Use the term ‘help’ as it is easier on the ear and really does indicate what you want from your kids.

Kind Regards

Martine Gill
Principal

Congratulations Student Leadership Team

On Wednesday 20th February, Coomera Springs State School welcomed a new group of school leaders. It was wonderful seeing our students and their families brimming with pride as the school community celebrated their achievement. We look forward to seeing you lead our school throughout 2019.

Congratulations!!!!

School Captains

Evelina, Luke, Charlotte & Jacob

Sports Captains

Ballun House: Bailee(C) & Amelia (VC)
Kaban House: Savannah (C) & Ravi (VC)
Tharagum House: Max (C) & Elizabeth (VC)
Tugai House: Rahul (C) & Zarlee (VC)

Performing Arts Captains

Harvey, Sarah, Kirra, Sunny

Student Council

School Photo Day

School Photo Days are upon us again for 2019. Timetables will be out soon.

HoSES News

What a wonderful start to the New Year! Our SEP Programs have certainly all got off to a flying start and 2019 is looking to be another exciting year for our students at Coomera Springs.

The first few weeks we were busy ensuring students settled into their new classrooms. Everyone enjoyed getting to know his or her new class teachers and getting out into the playground.

Our Special Education Program teachers for this year are as below:

Connie McLean (Head of Special Education Services and Prep/Year 1 case manager) cmcle38@eq.edu.au
Linda Miranda (Yr 2/3 co-case manager) Monday - Wednesday lmira1@eq.edu.au
Malina Ratu (Yr 2/3 co-case manager) Thursday - Friday mgrat0@eq.edu.au
Sandra Button (Yr 4/Yr 5 case manager) sbutt39@eq.edu.au
Gail Want (Yr 5/ Yr 6 case manager) gwant2@eq.edu.au

Please feel free to contact us if you would like any further information on the services we provide at the school.

CPL - Choice, Passion Life.

CPL provide disability services and support to help people of all ages to maximise their potential. Please find below a list of their current programs available under CPL children’s services. If you would like more information on any of these programs, please contact either the facilitator or myself.

• VAC (Holiday Program 8am - 4pm) Locations– Coomera/Highland Reserve, Southport, Labrador, Currumbin, Mudgeeraba, Group Centre Based
  Facilitator - Elicia Avery 0428 482 176
• ASC (After School Care 2.30pm - 5.30pm) Locations – Coomera/Highland Reserve, Southport, Labrador, Currumbin, Mudgeeraba, Group Centre Based
  Facilitator – Mel Woodward 0437 123 560
• HEYO (Sat/Sun Day Program 9am – 3pm) 4 - 18years. Community or Centre Based. Life & Social skills, Hydrotherapy, Parks, Picnic’s
• Social Squad (Friday Night Teen Group 6pm – 9pm.) 14 – 18 years old. Community Access Group, Cinema, Food Markets, Time Zone
  Facilitator - Monique Galvin 0407 510 886
• SIC (Support in Community) 1-1 and group ratio’s available. Capacity Building / Independence skills, hourly rate, Shopping/Money Management
• SAH (Support at Home) 1 - 1 in home support, personal care, behaviour management, medication assistance, routines, life skill training, parent support
  Facilitator - Jack Tarpley 0455 509 610
• STA (Short Term Accommodation) Overnight Respite/Sleep over/Holiday House, 4-18years. 1:1 and 1:2 ratio available, 1-14 nights per stay, 24hr supports
  Facilitator - Megan Thompson 0447 127 302
• ERF (Emergency Respite Funds) Financial assistance for emergency or family crisis situations
  Facilitator - Victoria Wagner 0404 855 280
• My Time (Family Support Group) Currumbin & Coomera-Westfield 9.30-11.30am Tues/Weds, Play group available, young children welcome
  Facilitator – Drew White 0404 012 669
• SREECH Art (Drama, Dance, Singing, and Film Making) Centre based. 8-18years. 2hr sessions. Week and Weekend available. Coming soon!

Free Prep Vision Screening Program

All prep students have received an envelope with parental consent forms for the free prep vision screening program which will be conducted at school on Monday 29th April 2019.

Please return these forms to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible, no later than Wednesday 27th March 2019.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Connie McLean
Head of Special Education Services

Religious Instruction

Religious instruction (RI) is offered at the school as a weekly half hour lesson and is conducted on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Parents of child/ren participating in these programs will be advised if a faith group requires funds to cover the expense of materials used in RI.

Students are allocated to RI based on information provided by parents on the completed Application for Student Enrolment unless other written instructions have been provided to the school.

Note: This information remains operational unless the parent informs the school otherwise in writing.

Students who are not participating in RI will be provided with other instruction in a separate supervised location. Other instruction must relate to part of a subject area already covered in class and may include, but is not restricted to:

• personal research and/or assignments
• revision of class work such as creative writing or literacy and/or numeracy activities which could include online programs currently accessed by the students of that school (i.e. Mathletics, Reading Eggs )
• wider reading such as independent reading appropriate to the student

Parents will be advised of any changes to the RI and other instruction programs to ensure they are able to make an informed decision on their child’s participation.

PE Department News

Broadwater District Swimming

Earlier this week we had 12 students compete in the Broadwater District Swimming Trials at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. All swimmers gave their best effort and came home with some great results. A special mention to Sunny, who had a fantastic day and competed in seven events, bringing home a handful of ribbons in his age group.

Congratulations to all of our swimmers; Sunny L, Ryan M, Tayt W, Lochie M, Lewis E, Jacob I, Jack M, Aysan H, Holly L, Isaac C, Caitlyn C, Kyama H.

School Cross Country Carnival – Wednesday 27th March

Our annual Cross Country Carnival will be held on Wednesday 27th March.

Students can come to school dressed in their house colours –

Ballun (Blue), Kaban (Green), Tharagum (yellow) and Tugai (red)

If you are unsure which house your child is in, please contact your classroom teacher. Families and friends are invited to come along and cheer! Don’t forget to bring your chairs.

Prep – Year 3 students will be running between 9:00am - 10:30am
Years 4 - 6 will be running between 11:15am – 12:45pm.

These times are approximate.

Gala Sports Day - Tuesday 19th March – Years 4, 5, 6

Payment and permission notes are due on Friday 22nd February

This term all students in years 4, 5 and 6 will compete against Highland Reserve State School and Park Lake State School in our Interschool Sports Program. Students have chosen to compete in either Touch Football or Soccer. These sports will be held over three venues. More detailed information will be emailed to families in the coming days.

Students will need to wear: their school sports uniform, hat and sunscreen.

They will need to bring: two water bottles, packed lunch and morning tea – NO TUCKSHOP facilities are available.

Music Department News

Junior Choir Prep – Year 2

Sign-up day for our Junior Choir was held on Thursday 14th February, and so far we have approximately 70 children from Prep – Year 2 wanting to be in our 2019 Junior Choir, which is absolutely wonderful! Parents whose children have already signed up should have received an email this week, with information about our planned performances for the year. Some students may not have heard about the Choir before the sign-up day, but it is not too late for them to join! If your child would like to be a part of the choir and you did not receive an email, please email Mrs Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au so your child can be added to the list, and so you can receive the information email.

The Junior Choir will be rehearsing on Thursdays at first break in the M Block Music Room.

NB: Children who were in the Junior Choir last year will need to sign up again if they still want to be included, as the Choir lists do not “roll over” from year to year.

Performance Groups for Years 3 – 6

We have some fantastic performance opportunities for our older students this year.

Ukulele Band (Wednesday 2nd break) Year 4 – 6 learn to play popular songs on the ukulele.
Drumline (Tuesday 1st break) Year 5 & 6 BY AUDITION – sign up to audition for the drumline.

See Mr Lewerissa in N Block to sign up for these groups!

If you have children in Years 3 – 6 encourage them to come along and get involved! Email Mr Lewerissa klewe8@eq.edu.au for more information on any of these performance groups.

School Musical 2019 – The Amazing Adventures Of Superstan!

We were so excited to see over 100 students at the sign-up for Musical Auditions! If your child in Year 3 – 6 has missed the sign-up it’s not too late, but they do need to hurry! Send Mrs Alison Murray an email amurr51@eq.edu.au so we can make sure they don’t miss out. We will be having “Audition Preparation” sessions on THURSDAYS at Second Break for the next few weeks, to learn the songs and moves for the audition. Parents should have received an information email regarding the Musical this week, so if your child has signed up and you didn’t get an email please let us know!

PS: Our School Musical Cast will also perform as the Senior Choir for our school ANZAC Ceremony in the first week of next term. They will be singing “Our Heroes Today” for the school service.

Instrumental Music News

By now all students have had their first Instrumental Lessons, and should have returned their Instrumental Music paperwork. Please check your timetables for lesson and Band/String Ensemble rehearsal times and remind your children to bring the necessary equipment for their lessons.

Music Shirts

Our performing ensembles look amazing in their Music Shirts. If your child is in Band, Strings or Junior Choir now is the time to order your Music Shirt for 2019 – available from the uniform shop for $30. Music Shirts can be worn to school on Thursdays in 2019.

P&C News

We Would Love For You to Join the P&C Executive

Have you ever thought about joining our P&C Executive, but you are not sure what the roles entail; here is some information that might help you.

President:

• Provide leadership and chair meetings
• Act as P&C spokesperson/representative
• Foster good communication between P&C parents, school and community
• Encourage participation and inclusiveness
• Oversee HR and business operations

Vice President:

• Support the President in their role and operations of the team
• Oversee governance issues
• Manage projects of the P&C
• Liaison Officer

Treasurer:

• Ensure compliance with P&C Accounting Manual and other regulations
• Prepare the annual budget
• Manage financial statements
• Pay accounts and maintain asset register
• Monitor wages and account management
• Ensure accounting is open and transparent

Secretary:

• Prepare agenda and minutes of meeting
• Communication with all members
• Maintain register of correspondence
• Maintain member and volunteer register
• Organise, record and maintain documents
• Assist with other administrative requirements of the P&C

Our next meeting is being held on Wednesday 13th March and we would love to see new (and old) faces there. More importantly we would love for members of our community to nominate to be on the P&C Executive.

So come along and be a part of a team that works to assist our school community.

Uniform Shop

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

Tuckshop

Ellie’s Café

We are open;

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30am – 3:00pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30am – 2:00pm.

Frankie’s Tuckerbox

The tuckshop is open Monday - Friday and offers a range of healthy choice options.

Orders can be placed at the tuckshop between 8.15am -8.40am or online via FlexiSchools:

FLEXISCHOOL THURSDAY's & FRIDAY's

All orders on Thursday and Friday's can now only be placed through Flexischools, no bag orders over the counter will be taken.

Please use separate bags for each break for each student if ordering at the Tuckshop counter. Please clearly mark the student’s name, class and break on each bag.

Lost or forgotten lunches will be replaced with a Jam, Vegemite or Cheese sandwich and a piece of fruit at a cost of $4.00. Payment can be made over the phone by Eftpos or the bill will be sent home with the student.

All counter orders will incur a 30c processing fee.

Phone orders are no longer accepted.

School Terms for 2019

School Directory

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