3 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Principal Transition

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

I wish to thank the students, staff, parents and community members for the wonderful welcome to Coomera Springs State School. My first impressions confirm everything that I know about the school. Coomera Springs State School students have a very rich school experience with many opportunities and have achieved much success. The staff are a wonderful group of friendly, positive and hardworking committed people who work hard for students every day.

Over the first couple of weeks, I am endeavouring to meet as many people as possible and find out as much as I can about everything that happens at the school.

My priority at Coomera Springs is to continue the great successes at the school and work with various stakeholder groups to identify possible ways to further improve what the school offers into the future. I am guided by the school mission of, ‘every student succeeding every day.’ This is the reason that I and all staff members come to work every day.

I very much look forward to working with the staff, students, parents and community at the school. You will find me around the school on a regular basis. I look forward to meeting as many parents as possible as I move around the school.

ANZAC Day

Congratulations to all students for the very special and most respectful school ANZAC Day commemoration held last week. This was truly a special and wonderful school tradition. I also acknowledge the many students and families who joined the school contingent at the Upper Coomera Community March on ANZAC Day itself. Many students have also shared their family experiences in attending a number of local dawn services and other commemorations for ANZAC Day.

Labour Day Public Holiday

The school and Camp Australia will be closed on Monday 6th May 2019 for the Labour Day Public Holiday.

Kind Regards
Chris McMillan
Principal

NAPLAN

As parents and carers, we all take great interest in our children and their paths in life. We know it is really important that they develop key skills such as literacy and numeracy to help them through school, work and life.

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is a national test undertaken by all Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students, designed to provide information on your child’s literacy and numeracy achievements. This year Coomera Springs State School will be participating in NAPLAN, with tests taking place from 14th – 16th May.

NAPLAN is designed to illustrate the range of student performance across the country. Individual student performance is shown on a national achievement scale for each test. The performance of individual students can be compared to the average performance of all students in Australia.

All students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests, and schools should not exert influence on parents to withdraw their child from the tests. NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information allows for additional intervention if necessary to ensure your child progresses at a rate where they can fully participate in all aspects of the curriculum. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year.

Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis as students without disability, and should be discussed with your child's school prior to the tests. ACARA has developed example scenarios to provide greater understanding of the appropriate adjustments for students with disability . Some students with significant intellectual disability and/or those with significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests may be exempted from sitting the tests.

Some students who have been attending school in Australia for less than a year before the tests (with a language other than English) may also be eligible for exemption. Exemptions should be discussed with your child's school.

Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. It is recommended that withdrawal be considered in consultation with your child's school. States and territories have different ways of managing student withdrawals, but formal notification must be received by the school principal prior to testing.

Wherever possible, schools will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during testing week.

Detailed information about absences, exemptions and withdrawals from NAPLAN can be found in the student participation section .

If you would like to read more about NAPLAN please click on the link below.

Alternatively, if you have any concerns or queries please contact the school office.

Attendance in Queensland Schools Count

All schools in Queensland are committed to providing safe and supportive learning environments for all students to address their educational needs.

Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Additionally, attending school every day helps children to build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience. Attendance means not only attending school every day, but also arriving at school on time and remaining at school for the entire day.

Late Arrivals

From our close observations, students who are continually late, often become anxious about walking into a class that is already settled, hence creating a situation where the student would rather not come to school. The risk of missing instructions for core lessons is high and there is often disruption to other students’ learning and settlement when a student enters the class late. Lessons begin at 8.40am and any time beyond this is considered a late arrival.

Explained and Unexplained Absences

Under the law, you must make sure your child is enrolled and attends school on all school days unless there is a reasonable excuse. Schools are mandated to monitor attendance of students and follow up with parents and caregivers any unexplained absences and a pattern of regular explained absences.

Even though absences may be explained with a phone call or note, they are still absences and a pattern of regular explained absences are still considered a concern and have the same impact on a child’s learning as an unexplained absence.

Holidays

When planning your family holiday, please consider the term dates and the impact of your child missing school. Explicit instruction of concepts can only happen at school. When students are on holidays, they are missing important chunks and building blocks of learning. Revision of concepts and ‘extra work’ does not support children learning the next steps to move forward in the curriculum. We all love holidays, however please try to plan them during the school holiday period.

Our Commitment

Coomera Springs State School is committed to promoting the key messages of the Queensland State-wide initiative Every Day Counts which promotes four key messages:

• All children should be enrolled at school and attend school every day
• Schools should monitor, communicate and implement strategies to improve school attendance
• Truanting can place a student in unsafe situations and impact on their future employability and life choices
• Attendance at school is the responsibility of everyone in the community

Competition Time

Beginning in Term 2, the class with the highest attendance rate for the fortnight and minimal late arrivals, will be able to choose the ‘bell songs’ for the following fortnight. This is a great incentive which admin and teachers alike are very excited about starting up.

PE Department News

District Cross Country

23 students from grades four, five and six participated as the Coomera Springs Cross Country team at the Broadwater District trials on Tuesday. With over 1270 students representing their schools across the district, we are very proud of our students as they tried their best and represented our school with pride. See results below:

We had some fantastic results!!

Congratulations to Tom D, Caitlyn C, Kyama H and Max M who placed in the top 14 for their event and have qualified to compete at the South Coast Cross Country Trials on 4th June.

Save the Date: School Athletics Carnivals

Our annual Athletics Carnivals will be held later this term:

Prep, Years 1 & 2 will participate in the junior carnival held on Wednesday 5th June - 8.50am – 12.45pm
Years 3,4,5,6 students will be involved in the senior athletics carnival held over two and a half days. Wednesday 5th June - from 1.30pm – 200m heats for students born 2009 & 2010
Monday and Tuesday 10th and 11th June – full days for all years 3,4,5,6 classes.

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!

Years 4, 5, 6 Gala Sports Day - Tuesday 28th May

This term students will compete against Highland Reserve State School and Park Lake State School in a Mini Olympics Carnival. Each year level will be hosted at a different school.

• Year 4 – Coomera Springs State School
• Year 5 – Highland Reserve State School
• Year 6 – Park Lake State School

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. There will be no ordered lunches for year four either as our lunch breaks at Gala Day do not coincide with the normal break times.

Aussie Hoops

Mrs Sarah Hodder
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Music Department News

Welcome back to Term 2! This term we say farewell to Mr Sloan, and welcome our new Band Teacher Dr Darren Postema. Dr Postema is a highly qualified and experienced Band teacher and we are very fortunate to have him teaching at our school.

This week students in the Junior Band and Junior Strings had their first rehearsal for the year, and they are off to a great start. Keep practicing at home and asking your Instrumental teacher if you are having any difficulties. The new ensemble pieces will soon become easy and very enjoyable to perform.

Junior Choir

The Junior Choir recommenced this week, and we are learning new songs for the Eisteddfod excursion in Term 3. If your child in Prep – Year 2 is not in Choir yet (but wants to join) please send them along to the MUSIC ROOM on THURSDAY at FIRST PLAYTIME.

School Musical 2019 – The Amazing Adventures Of Superstan!

The Musical Cast was announced on assembly in the last week of Term 1 – congratulations to all students who have been selected! Rehearsals have now commenced, and these will be held during play breaks in Term 2. A weekly rehearsal schedule will be emailed to parents and teachers, so students can plan ahead for each upcoming week. Students in the musical will also receive a very important contract from Mr McMillan which is to be signed by parents and students, and must be returned to Mrs Murray by the end of next week (Friday 10th May).

I was very impressed with the efforts of the Musical Cast in singing the song for our school’s ANZAC Ceremony last week – you did an amazing job, and I am very proud of all of you!

Date Claimer: Music Showcase Evening

The CSSS Music Showcase Evening will be held on Thursday 13th of June at 5:30pm in our School Hall. This will be a very exciting evening of music and entertainment. All of our Instrumental Music Ensembles (Band and Strings) will be performing, as well as our Junior Choir, Ukulele Band, Drumline and Music Centre of Excellence Classes! This is a great opportunity for parents of potential Instrumental Music students to come along and see what the program has to offer. Our whole school community is invited to come along and enjoy some wonderful entertainment!

Music Shirts

Our performing ensembles look amazing in their Music Shirts. If your child is in Band, Strings or 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.

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

Library News

Book Club

We are starting Book Club again this year!

Issue 3 of Book Club has been handed out to all the classes. For parents and carers new to book club, please follow the directions on the back of the order form and place your orders online.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND MONEY. ALL ORDERS ARE TO BE DONE ONLINE AND PLACED BY TUESDAY 7TH OF MAY.

With all orders placed, our school gets a percentage to order free books for the library. Should you have any enquiries or encounter any problems, please come and see me in the library.

Thank you for your support

Happy Reading
Sue Marriott
Teacher Librarian

Coomera Springs Kokoda Team

Coomera Springs Kokoda Team proudly sponsored by Coomera City Centre

Five weeks to go until the Year 6 Kokoda kids hit the trails for the Brisbane Kokoda School Cup Challenge. The team has been hitting trails from Mt Warning to Springbrook to ensure our legs are ready for the endurance event!

Give us a wave when you see us in our bright red shirts training in the Coomera Springs area every Friday morning!

Chess Club

Chess club will take place every Monday at 2nd break in the back of the library. All students are welcome.

P&C News

Mother’s Day Raffle

Mother’s Day Stall Timetable - 8th May

Cookie Dough Drive

We are holding a Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough drive as a major fundraiser this term and are asking for your support. All the funds raised will go to Coomera Springs State School P & C Association.

Billy G’s is an Australian family owned and operated business. There are ten (10) delicious flavours including their NEW Strawberry Cheesecake and NESTLE® SMARTIES® cookie dough. There is even a cheese flavoured Doggie Dough for your special fury family members! The delicious cookie dough is only available through fundraising and is not sold in stores, so stock up!

Please finalise all cookie dough orders either online or in cash on or before 17/5/19.
The current scheduled date for pick-up of your order is 13/06/19.

How Does My Child Fundraise?

Students have now received a Billy G’s Fundraiser order form with instructions on how to collect orders from family, friends and neighbours, also on how to order prizes. Students can obtain orders in cash using the order form together with online fundraising.

Students who sell 1 tub or more will receive an incentive prize for their efforts. But why not aim higher? You have the option to choose up to three (3) prizes and this will set your fundraising goal. Family and friends are your greatest supporters, so ask them first for your support. You will reach your fundraising goal in no time.

We expect that students will only collect orders from known safe people or have adult supervision when fundraising.

Billy G’s Online Fundraising Page

Create an Online Fundraising Page at the link below which is unique to you. There are also some great features including choosing your own avatar, selecting your prize goal, adding in cash orders and viewing our school’s leaderboard. You can register for online fundraising. It’s the easiest way to help reach your fundraising goals.

Win a Dream Holiday worth $7,000! Create an Online Fundraising Page at the link below, sell or purchase one tub or more of Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough and you will automatically go into the draw to win a $5,000 Helloworld Travel Mount Ommaney Gift Voucher and $2,000 spending money.

Apple Prize Pack Leaderboard Challenge

The highest fundraiser from our (school/group) will go into a draw to win a HUGE Apple Prize Pack including an iPhoneX, iPad 32GB, Apple TV and an Apple Watch. Create an online fundraising page at the link below and view your ranking on our leaderboard.

How to Order Prizes?

To reward your child for their efforts, they will receive incentive prizes based on the total amount of tubs sold in cash and online. You have two options to place your prize order:

1. Login or create an Online Fundraising Page below. Once the fundraiser has finished, click the ‘ORDER MY PRIZE’ button, then confirm your total amount raised and order your prize/s. Once our fundraiser ends, online prize ordering will be activated and you will have 7 days to place your prize order. OR
2. Complete the order section of the order form and return to the school.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Happy fundraising!

Tuckshop

A very BIG thankyou to everyone who has helped and supported Angela in the Tuckshop.

We need your help! If you are able to volunteer some time it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Angela in the Tuckshop for further information.

P & C Meeting

Our P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 15th May, at 3:20pm in the resource centre next to the library.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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 below:

FLEXISCHOOL THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS

All orders on Thursday and Fridays 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.

School Terms for 2019

School Directory

Camp Australia

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

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

Upper Coomera State College Calendar of Events

Keebra Park – Year 7 2020 Enrolment

New Immunisation Clinic

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