22 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

We have come off the back of a weekend of significant world events, coupled with some severe weather and wild storms.

I know there are times when some events in our world leave us shell shocked and in a state of disbelief. Debriefing with our children is very important, as we need to provide a means for them to learn how to comprehend the events of our world, and to find positive ways to deal with difficulties. If at any time you, or a member of your family require some support/advice there is always places such as Lifeline to contact 13 11 14.

Car Park Safety

Yes, it is an ongoing issue for our community. However, car park safety is incredibly important. We are still having countless parents parking in the bus zone each afternoon, causing significant issues in this area.

One of our biggest safety concerns is also the number of parents who are simply putting on the brakes in the drive through areas and letting their children run out to the car and jump in.

I continue to post articles each year, and still we have parents breaking the law and putting safety at risk each afternoon. Remember, it is your responsibility as the driver to make the right choices, as well as to set the right example.

Online Safety for Students

Many families allow their children online access at home. Some of this is for learning purposes, and some for leisure.

On a number of occasions, we will have parents contact us regarding exchanges that occur between students on particular chat apps. I would highly recommend that you do have a process in place at home that enables you to share with your child what they are doing, saying, and with whom they are engaging.

Cyber safety is paramount and we do thank our parents who share any of their concerns with us.

Facilities Update

I am very excited to share with our community that during Term 2, construction on a new adventure playground will begin for our Years 3-6 students. This playground will be situated near our school oval and has been in the making for quite some time. Sadly I will not be here to see it come to its completion, but I can share that your children will be very impressed with it.

Responding Constructively to the Christchurch Shooting – Parent Article

By Michael Grose

Last Friday’s shooting of innocent people in two Christchurch mosques is an event that has shaken people to the core worldwide.

While we’d like to protect our children from such events, in reality it’s impossible, as the news coverage is so widespread and the event itself has impacted so many people. The personal nature of this particular tragedy makes it even harder to stomach than some recent natural disasters that have made the news, as awful as they have been.

So how do you approach this with your children? There is no easy answer, but be assured that your child will benefit from talking to you. These ideas may help:

Be available

Let your child or young person know that it is okay to talk about the events in Christchurch. Listen to what they think and feel. By listening, you can find out if they have misunderstandings, and you can learn more about the support that they need. You do not need to explain more than they are ready to hear, but be willing to answer their questions.

Filter the news

While we don’t advocate censorship, we do suggest that you take particular care about your child’s exposure to news events. The consistency of images can be frightening for young children who don’t understand the notion of distance and have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fiction. Older children and teenagers will probably be interested in the news events, but they probably need an adult available to answer their questions and reassure them.

Engage in the news with older children

Many issues are now arising from this event that may be of significant interest to older primary-aged children and teenagers. Be prepared to engage in discussions about political leadership, gun laws, the coverage of the event itself by the media and other issues that will emerge. Increasingly, young people are demonstrating that they want to have a voice in shaping the world they live in. Give them a chance to air their concerns and formulate their ideas in the safe confines of home.

Manage emotions raised

The Christchurch tragedy may raise many emotions for children and young people including sadness over the loss of life, confusion over how such an event could happen, and outrage over injustice. Take your cues from your children and follow the threads that emerge. Demonstrate that you understand how they may be upset and clarify their emotions if possible: “It’s understandable to be angry when you hear news like this.”

Moderate your language

Currently, we live in very divisive times. The fact that this shooting was carried out on one particular group demonstrates just the extent of the divisiveness of our community. Encourage kids to be inclusive, steering clear of valued-laden, extreme language such as ‘terrorists’, ‘evil’ and ‘horrors’ when describing the events and the alleged perpetrators. Not only does this type of language encourage children and young people to take a position rather than focus on the problems, it risks desensitising them to the reality of the impact of this event. The use of more sedate, yet descriptive language such as ‘gunman’, ‘awful’ and ‘tragedy’ can remove the emotional sting, while demonstrating the enormity of the event’s impact.

Keep to a normal routine

Your child may feel powerless. You may feel the same way as that’s what events like the Christchurch shooting does to us. Maintaining the same sleeping, eating and daily routines can help to restore a sense of control over our daily lives.

Show them how to change the world

Arguably, these are the worst of times in terms of social divisiveness. Our children in many ways are letting us know that they don’t want to continue living this way. So how can they have an impact? Recently a timely clue came my way in the form of a notification from Facebook. Over the weekend, a parent shared an existing message to her Muslim friends as a message of hope.

The quote reads:

“Don’t become too pre-occupied with your child’s academic ability, but instead teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer help. Teach them to be a friend to the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to share. Teach them to look for the good. This is how they will change the world.”

We get that power back when we start to impact the people around us in small ways, making positive changes for the better.

‘Kindness’, ‘helping others’, ‘encouraging’, ‘sharing’ and similar concepts don’t make great political slogans but they form the basis of every strong community - which is precisely what kids need.

Kind Regards

Martine Gill
Principal

School Photos 28th & 29th March

HoSES News

Education Adjustment Program

The Education Adjustment Program (EAP) is a process for identifying and responding to the educational needs of students who require significant education adjustments related to their specific impairment.

Education Queensland provides explicit and targeted support for children with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Hearing Impairment (HI)
• Intellectual Disability (ID)
• Vision Impairment (VI)
• Speech language impairment (SLI)
• Physical Impairment (PI)

If you have any questions regarding this process, or are investigating a disability, please feel free to contact the Head of Special Education Services, Connie McLean cmcle38@eq.edu.au.

At Coomera Springs State School we understand this can be a daunting and emotional time and we are happy to support you and your child.

Education guide for parents

Working with our parents and families of our students with disability is essential in delivering quality educational outcomes.

Teaching staff are required to consult with a student with disability or their parent/carer before making reasonable adjustments.

Education Queensland provides information through the Education for children with disability guide for parents. Please click on the link below to access.

Oxenford/Coomera Community and Youth Centre Free Programs

Please click on the link below to access the free programs in Term 2 offered by Oxenford/Coomera Community and Youth Centre.

Some of the programs include:

1, 2, 3 Magic and Emotion Coaching (a program designed to help parents/carers of children aged 2-12 years to manage challenging behaviours)

Tuning In (teaches parents of 3 to 12 years old children how to become their child’s emotion coach)

Circle of Security (provides parents with strategies to promote a sense of security and a life of resilience and well-being in their children)

To book online:

Connie McLean
Head of Special Education Services

PE Department News

Cross Country Carnival 2019 – Wednesday 27th March

Mrs Sarah Hodder
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Music Department News

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

Firstly, I would like to thank you all on the great achievement this week with our fundraising activities for Term 1.

Silver Coin Challenge

Last Monday we started our first fundraiser for the year, which ends today, Friday 22nd March with a ‘Crazy Sock Day’ for a gold coin donation. The winning class will enjoy a Pizza Party on Friday 29th March.

Congratulations to you all – The outcome to date has been AMAZING!

Fluro Clubercise

Last Friday night, we had our first 80’s Fluro Clubbercise night in our school hall. I would like to thank Kylee Kendall from Kendall Fitness and Health for donating her time and instructing the class.

Despite the storm, thunder, lightning and a lot of heavy rain, about 55 ladies braved the weather to join the class. We all had a very bright, colourful and awesome night.

Thank you Kylee Kendall, Dee Crimmins and Float.com for their generous donations towards the raffle and prizes. In total, our Clubbersize night raised $845.80.

Thank you to all who attended.

Cross Country

Our Cross Country will be held on Wednesday 27th March. We will be having a sausage sizzle for the cost of $2.00 and this will be available to order on Flexi Schools.

Disco

Our School Disco will be held on Thursday, 28th March.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the Tuckshop and/or thru Flexi Schools. The cost is $8.00 per person, which includes entry and a sausage sizzle, other snacks and drinks can be purchased on the night.

Ticket sales on Flexischools close on Monday 25th March at 6:00pm.

Thank you

I would like to say a very BIG thankyou to the ladies who have helped and supported me in so many ways in the past few weeks with our fundraising.

Vivienne Franklin, Marleen Bassam, Angela Billiau, Melissa Angus, Kirsty Penhaligon and all the support given by the school, especially Mrs Martine Gill and Mrs Jean Newall.

If you would like to volunteer at any of our events, please do not hesitate to email myself on csssvp2@gmail.com

Theresa Grima
Acting P&C President

Uniform Shop

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

Tuckshop

Ellie’s Café

Are you passing the time scrolling through your phone as you wait to pick your children up from school each afternoon? Why not take advantage of the buy 4 and get the 5th drink free from Ellie’s Cafe? Drop in and grab your loyalty card from the tuckshop and start drinking your way to a free one.

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 honey 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.

Camp Australia

School Terms for 2019

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

Disco

Pimpama State Secondary College – 2020 Academy Programs Information Night and Principals Tour

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

Apple Calendar iPhone, iPad, Mac - Download .ics file

Outlook Desktop Outlook - Download .ics file

Android Calendar Android devices - Download .ics file

Other Calendar Google Calendar, Yahoo, etc. - Download .ics file

Download Event