18 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Student Free Day

Monday 21st October 2019 is a scheduled Student Free Day across Queensland.

Staff members will be involved in professional development during this day. Families will need to make alternate arrangements for their children.

Camp Australia will offer a program on this day and details of Camp Australia’s program can be found in this newsletter.

Year 3 Sleep Over

Congratulations to the 110, Year 3 students who spent last Friday and Friday night at school, involved in a special Sleep-over program.

The students enjoyed a magic show, dinner and a movie before having a sleep-over in the school hall. The students enjoyed breakfast early on Saturday morning before being collected by parents.

This is the students first experience within our camp program which builds each year from Year 3 to Year 6. The students were extremely well behaved and slept well during the night. We are very proud of our Year 3 students and thank our Year 3 Team, plus P&C and Tuckshop for supporting the Year 3 Sleep-over.

Eight Classrooms Receive Air-Conditioning

Thank you to the wonderful P&C Fundraising which enabled air-conditioning to be installed in eight more Coomera Springs classrooms over the spring school vacation.

Thank you for your support of the fund-raising initiatives which assists with the goal of progressively air-conditioning all classrooms at Coomera Springs State School.

Preparing Students for Life until the 22nd Century

Thank you to the parents and school representatives who took part in the information and consultation session at school on 18th September. Our goal is developing some strategic planning over the next four years to prepare our students for life until the 22nd Century.

We are almost one-fifth through the 21st Century and many things have changed in the way we have lived our lives and worked since thirty years or more ago. Whilst we do not know every possible change that will occur during the remainder of the 21st Century, we do expect the pace of change in the way we work to continue and most likely accelerate. These students will need a broad set of skills to make them adaptable to change, to be entrepreneurial and be able to work within teams.

Whilst we traditionally think that secondary and post-secondary prepare students for the world of work, we know that students at 13 or 14 can undertake now ‘gig’ type work such as graphic design or app designing whist still at school. These opportunities for alternative enterprises will certainly increase and be open to broad age groups.

We look to prepare our students for a life of choice and not a life of chance as they live exciting lives throughout the remainder of the 21st and into the 22nd Century. I will keep families updated with the progress of our four-year strategic plan.

Term 4

The final term for 2019 is now with us. There are many highlights for us which will include preparing for some transitions for students. Our Year 6 students will have a number of special events and transition opportunities as they prepare for Junior Secondary in 2020.

Our focus is also upon our 2020 Prep enrolments and ensuring that they commence transitioning from Kindy ready for Prep in 2020. It is also a busy and special time within school as the term progresses. I urge all families to keep any eye out for school communication with regards to various information sessions and information on events and opportunities during this very exciting and very busy Term 4.

Families are also asked to ensure that we spread the word for families with children born between, 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015 to contact the school to organise possible Prep enrolment for 2020. Whilst we have an enrolment catchment, we do take waiting list enrolments from out-of-catchment families for Prep should we have capacity.

Chris McMillan
Principal

2020 Parent Requests for Friendship Groups

We have now began our planning phase for 2020. One of the areas that takes both a long time, and a lot of consideration is class placements for students.

If you have any particular requests for 2020 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 2020
• 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.

All requests will need to be in no later than today, Friday 18th of October 2019.

Are You Leaving Coomera Springs in 2019

1:1 Student iPad Program

As communicated in each of the three 1:1 Student iPad Information Sessions, our program is going from strength to strength and ready for another cohorts of Preps becoming eligible for 1:1 in Year 1 in 2020.

Where possible our classes will be composed of 1:1 Student iPad Program participants in each cohort. In order to maximise opportunity for our families, we will not limit the number of places in each year level. This however may lead to a class per year level being composed of students with and without their own BYOD.

As with last year, parents have the ability to purchase a device that meets the strict requirements and specifications of our program from either the Comp Now portal or a vendor of their choice. With that being said, all specifications and components of the student bundle must be provided to be deemed eligible to participate in the 1:1 option at Coomera Springs.

Contrary to previous years, the life of our program is now from Year 1 through to Year 6. There is now no need to purchase another device in the transition from Year 3 to Year 4.

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 2020.

As communicated in each of the three Parent Information Sessions, an Expression of Interest form must be completed by the last day of October to ensure your child is added to one of the 1:1 classes. EOI forms can be located on the school website below. Please complete this form and email it back to this address 1to1_EOI@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

1:1 Student iPad Program

STEAM Pentathlon

Congratulations to our eight budding STEAM legends! Our Year 5 and Year 6 STEAM representatives narrowly missed out on first place to secure a well-earned second in the STEAM pentathlon, hosted by Pimpama State School.

They completed 5 challenges throughout the day which tested their Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematical prowess. Well done to all involved.

STEM-X

STEM-X (Excellence) @ CSSS

Thank you to all the parents and family members who attended the two STEM parent information sessions.

As outlined in our information sessions, our school’s STEM strategy is targeted to build capacity with our staff and students. This capacity is built in the manner in which STEM is led, our understanding of the curriculum, implementation of school wide STEM units and methods to increase student engagement with STEM.

STEM-X @ Coomera Springs is a vehicle to challenge our students, stretching them within the Australian Curriculum and will also increase parent engagement.

STEM-X Future Focus

In 2020, Coomera Springs will have STEM-X roll classes in Year 5 and 6, while Years 3 and 4 identified students would attend one STEM-X session per week with our STEM Champion outside of their roll class.

STEM-X Student Eligibility Criteria

In 2020, Coomera Springs will use a three tiered criteria to identify 28 students in each year level from Years 3 to 6 who will be offered a position to participate in STEM-X.

We will begin with Tier One and move through the Tiers if necessary in order to identify students that best fit the STEM-X eligibility criteria.

Year 5 Student Leadership Opportunities

In Week 4 this term students in our Year 5 cohort will be given the opportunity to pursue a position of leadership in 2020. Students that nominate themselves will be provided a leadership passport as their first stage of the process.

Later, students will be required to present a speech to their class, potentially the 3-5 student body and a formal interview with Mr Morris to further communicate and clarify their leadership qualities and reason for aspiring.

In the weeks leading up to the distribution of the passports we encourage parents to discuss their children’s aspirations to leadership positions in 2020 with them and support them on their journey during the process.

Student Free Day – Monday 21st October

HOSES News

SEP High School Transition

This term our students in the Special Education Program will be attending their local high school transition sessions at either Pimpama State Secondary College or Upper Coomera State College.

Students attending Pimpama State Secondary College, the transition days and times are listed below;

Week 2 - Wednesday 16th October 9:00am - 11:00am
Week 3 - Wednesday 23rd October 9:00am - 11:00am
Week 4 - Wednesday 30th October 9:00am - 11:00am
Week 5 - Wednesday 6th November 9:00am - 11:00am. This session is the final SEP transition session. Parent morning tea is from 10:00am - 11:00am

Students attending Upper Coomera State College, the transition days and times are as follows;

Week 4 - Friday 1st November 9:00am - 12:00pm
Week 6 - Friday 15th November 9:00am - 12:00pm
Week 8 - Friday 29th November 9:00am - 12:00pm
Week 9 - Monday 2nd December 8:40am - 2:40pm. All Year 6 students transitioning into Year 7.

Celebrate Occupational Therapy Week 21st – 27th October

Occupational Therapy week celebrates the unique expertise of our department’s occupational therapists (OTs). OTs enable students’ inclusion, learning, wellbeing and achievement through assessment, adjustments and therapeutic supports. The service is embedded into curriculum and classroom routines through collaboration with teachers, families and school teams.

OTs are available to build staff capability in supporting the range of diverse learners in their school communities.

Our students in the Special Education Program are often referred to our Department of Education Therapy Services by their case managers and class teachers if there is an identified need.

Head of Special Education Services
Connie McLean

Finance News

The payment window is open every morning from 8:00am until 9:30am for Cash or EFTPOS payments.

Coomera Springs State School is no longer able to take credit/debit card payments over the phone.

The school is requesting invoice payments now be made via BPoint.

To access BPoint, please click on either the link appearing on your invoice or call 1300 631 073.

IMPORTANT - To make a payment you will need the Biller Code, your Customer Reference Number and Invoice Number. You are able to nominate the amount you wish to pay.

PE Department News

Term Four Gala Sports Day - Year 4, 5, 6 - Tuesday 29th October

This Term Four Gala Day is being made up from Term One when the rain washed out our organised day back in March.

Students that have paid in years 4, 5 and 6 will compete against Highland Reserve State School and Park Lake State School in their chosen sport of either Oztag or Soccer.

Students will need to wear, their school sports uniform (normal sports shoes – NO BOOTS), hat and sunscreen.

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

Save the Date - Years 4, 5, 6 House Swimming Carnival

All students in years 4, 5, 6 will be participating in the annual house swimming carnival on Friday 6th December. Students will be walking to and from Coomera Anglican College with swimming events commencing from 9.30am.

Sports Opportunities

We have many sports programs run by private providers outside of school hours this term.

If you are interested in any of the sports below, please contact them directly. The school does not arrange bookings or payments.

Mrs Sarah Hodder
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Music Department News

What’s on in Term 4

The Music Department is as busy as ever this term! We have made some changes to rehearsal times for Term 4 and added some extra performance opportunities for upper school students now that the Musical is over.

Our rehearsal schedule for Term 4 is as follows:

All rehearsals will continue until the Christmas Concert in Week 9, with the exception of Music Count Us In, which will conclude after the excursion (Thursday 7th November).

Instrumental Music 2020

This is our final call out for new Instrumental Music enrolments in the following year levels:

Current Year 2 students can apply for Beginner Strings in 2020 (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
Current Year 3 students can apply for Beginner Band in 2020 (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, bass guitar, percussion).

If you are interested in finding out more but missed the Information Session last term, please email Mrs Murray ASAP for further details (amurr51@eq.edu.au) and to receive the application forms.

Don’t delay - we are about to commence the assessment process - only students with completed EOI forms can be considered for a place in Instrumental Music for 2020.

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

Senior Choir students in Year 4 - 6 are busily preparing for a combined schools performance on Thursday 7th November, for the “Music Count Us In” (MCUI) day.

Our singers will perform at the Surfers Paradise Foreshore, and this year the Gold Coast will be the national broadcast host, so our students will be seen on TV all around the country! 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

Welcome back to term 4, we hope you all enjoyed your break and are ready for a fun filled busy term.

Term 3 Disco

Thank you for all those who attended our disco. It was a great to see so many children having a great time.

Thank you to all the many volunteers, without you we could not achieve what we do.

After costs, we raised $3,017.63. Our fundraising total for terms 1, 2 and 3 was $27,326.85.

Air Conditioning Update

As most of you are aware, we needed to raise $27,500 to be able to install the air conditioning in the Year 5 and 6 block over the spring school holiday but we were short $173.15. The tuckshop very kindly loaned us the balance and were able to install the air-conditioning.

I have had numerous messages to thank the P & C for our commitment in getting the air-conditioning installed, but without all the school community support at events throughout the year, it would not have been possible.

Term 4 Fundraising

This term we will start our fundraising campaign again and continue until we can achieve the next lot of air-conditioning.

Once our fundraising calendar has been approved and finalised for term 4, I will send out an email.

CSSS Twilight Market

CSSS Xmas Twilight Market- Friday 15th November 2019, 4:00pm – 8:00pm.

Our Xmas Market is fast approaching, if you have a small business or know anyone who has, please email me csssvp2@gmail.com for more information.

We have over 25 stalls already confirmed! We are still awaiting confirmation on approximately another 20 stalls. It will be a great evening with art work from our students for the silent auction, food trucks, lots of raffles and wonderful performances from our students!

Please come along and support our school and local businesses.

New P&C Treasurer

We would like to welcome Kirsty Duncan as our new Treasurer and wish Kirsty all the best in her new role.

A very big thank you goes out to Vivienne Franklin for all her hard work within the P&C over this year. As our tuckshop continues to get busier and busier, Vivienne is now working with Angela in the tuckshop.

P&C Meeting

Our P&C meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 3.30pm in the staff room.

Theresa Grima
P&C President

Uniform Shop

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 website.

FLEXISCHOOL THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS

All orders on Thursdays 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.

If you would like to volunteer in the Tuckshop, please contact Angela in the Tuckshop

School Terms for 2019

School Directory

Camp Australia

Camp Australia National Recycling Week

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Community Notices

Year 6 into Year 7 2020 - UCSC Transition Day 2nd December

Enrol Now 2020 - Pimpama State Secondary College

Keebra Park 2020 Year 7 Orientation Day 4th December

Macquarie Health - Free Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety

League Stars

Diving Australia

Diving Australia is on the lookout for Australia’s next generation of athletes with our ‘Talent Search Day’ at Sleeman Sports Complex on Sunday 3rd November.

For the first time in Queensland we’re hosting a talent identification day on a grand scale and we need your help!

Are you a Gymnast, Trampolinist or Acro performer? You might also be a great diver!

It’s a great initiative for kids who are looking to take up a sport that is fun, takes courage and is one of the Olympic Games’ most recognisable events.

There will be many Olympic athletes there on the day to meet the kids and show their Olympic medals too.

Please find attached the flyer/information for the upcoming testing day for Australian Diving.

Who: Boy and Girls aged 8yrs and up
What: Diving Testing Day
Where: Sleeman Sports Complex
When: Sunday November 3rd

Contact: Vyninka Arlow – 0401564035 Email: vyninka@diving.org.au

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