7 August 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Peoples’ Day – Public Holiday – Friday 14th August 2020

The school and Camp Australia will be closed next Friday 14th August for the Peoples’ Day public holiday.

Please note that this will be different to published calendars and is a replacement for the regular show holiday.

Focus on students throughout 2020

We know that 2020 is the one time that every student spends in their current year level at school and we want it to be as productive and special as possible. We all know that this year has been disrupted and uncertain in many ways and we have all needed to respond and change the way we do many things in our lives. Our Coomera Springs team here remain focused on this year being as good as it can be for every student. Here are some updates for our community.

Health and safety first

We continue to work together to take every precaution as we work to keep COVID – 19 at bay. Our staff have been staying home when unwell and large numbers are getting tested. Our families are keeping students home when unwell or with even mild symptoms, and we continue to implement changes to guidelines to keep our community safe and healthy. This takes the cooperation of every individual person doing their bit, and we are grateful to everyone as we get through this together.

Learning continues

Teaching teams this year meet every single week to discuss learning. We do this to ensure that students continue to learn, and learn to the highest levels possible. We have students throughout the school focused upon 3 star learning, 4 star learning and some even focussed on 5 star learning which is way above year level expectations in mathematics. The results from our early reading continue to show students are making very good progress. We have a strong focus on students reaching the highest possible levels in reading and writing as well. Learning is absolutely continuing at high levels during 2020.

Excellence events, sport, camps, excursions and incursions are gradually restarting

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel many planned school activities this year. A small number of these have been able to be rescheduled under COVID-safe plans. We are working very hard on carefully re-booting the excellence events, sport, camps, excursions and incursions for students, while complying with new guidelines. We do this under the guidelines that exist at the time, with the knowledge that everything is subject to future changes and updated restrictions. I commend our team of passionate educators who have worked very hard to ensure events can continue with the extra details required for health and safety.

We cannot change what is happening in 2020, but we work together to ensure that all students continue to belong and be happy at school, continue to learn at high levels and continue to grow as wonderful young people.

Leadership Team Changes

We have some changes within our school leadership team this term.

We welcome Ann Arthur to the Business Manager position. She replaces Jean Newall who will retire at the end of this year. We thank Jo Hindmarch for her time in the position over the past twelve months.

We welcome Jess Glossop to the Head of Special Education Services position. She replaces Connie McLean who has moved to Picnic Creek State School.

We welcome Kathryn Lauritsen to the Literacy Coach position. She replaces Stacey Cole who has commenced maternity leave.

We welcome Sarah Hodder to the Deputy Principal (4-6) position. She replaces Sam Wiseman who resumes as HOD at Robina State High School.

Excellence at Coomera Springs

We celebrate our Week 2 Students of the Week

Chris McMillan
Principal

Enrol Now for Prep 2021

If you have a child starting Prep next year, please submit your child’s enrolment application as soon as possible.

Prep enrolment interviews, orientation sessions and school tours will be conducted during Term 4.

Enrolment information and application forms are available on the school website alternatively you may collect an enrolment pack from Administration.

For further enrolment enquiries, please contact administration: admin@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

How to Report a Student Absence at Coomera Springs

Just a reminder that all absences must be reported to Administration by any of the following methods:

• Leave a message on the school absence line Ph: 5519 5300 – dial 1
• Email Administration admin@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au
• Reply to the SMS message – please state your child’s name and reason for absence

You may also email your child’s class teacher, however Administration must be advised in order for your child’s absence to be recorded with the correct code.

Your assistance in following our absence procedure is greatly appreciated.

Finance News

For your information we have outlined below ALL current Fees/Excursions/Incursions:

How can I pay an Invoice?

Our preferred method of payment is BPOINT

Please see below our “quick and easy ways” to pay 24/7:

BPOINT:

• Simply click the BPOINT link located at the bottom left hand corner of the invoice
• Enter your debit/credit card details
• Elect the amount you wish to pay
• Ensure you enter your email address to receive a receipt of your payment

Please note, you will need to do “individual” transactions for each invoice you receive.

BPOINT Phone:

• Phone 1300 631 073
• Ensure you have your CRN and invoice number handy – these can be found in the BPOINT box (bottom left hand corner of your invoice)
• Enter your debit/credit card details when prompted
• Elect the amount you wish to pay
• A receipt number will be quoted at the end of the transaction approval process

Please note you will need to do “individual” transactions for each invoice you receive.

EFT

Payment directly to our School Bank Account

• School Bank Account: Coomera Springs State School
• BSB: 064-474
• Account Number: 10256819

Please ensure correct identification in your reference by including at least STUDENT’S SURNAME, CLASS, etc. Example SMITH, 1A Fees.

Important – When paying by BPOINT/EFT

It is advisable that you allow a “48 hour turnaround” to ensure payment reaches us by the payment deadline date.

PE Department News

Fair Play Vouchers

Fair Play vouchers are now available!

Parents/carers who meet certain criteria can apply for a rebate valued up to $150 for their child which can be used towards sport and active recreation membership, registration or participation fees with registered activity providers.

Check out this link Fair Play Vouchers for more information.

Sports Carnivals

Due to COVID-19 restrictions we are unable to hold our annual Athletics Carnivals in the usual format, however with restrictions lifting I am pleased to announce that we will hold modified carnivals across the school.

There are some changes to our usual policies in regards to this event, these changes are due to our responsibilities to our COVID safe plan. The most obvious change is that there are no spectators permitted.

Prep, Years 1 & 2 will participate in the junior carnival to be held on Monday 10th August

Years 3,4,5,6 students will be involved in the senior athletics carnival on Tuesday 11th August.

Students can come to school dressed in their house colours – Ballun (blue), Kaban (green), Tharagum (yellow) and Tugai (red). Please see class teachers if you are unsure of your child’s house group.

Students will also need to bring their school hats and water bottles, both clearly named.

Music Department News

Due to changes in numbers, please see the new Performing Groups Rehearsal timetable commencing next week (week 5).

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

Library News

Book Fair is coming!

As you know, Book Fair will be here from the 17th August in the library. This year it will be different. We will be open each day before school, during lunchtimes and after school for the students. Times will be displayed on classroom windows.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions this year, we are unable to have parents visit the Fair.

We will take photos of all the shelves, books and their prices and send to you by Facebook, email, newsletters and class newsletters. Students will still be working on their Wish Lists and bringing them home for you to see.

Purchase of items can be made with cash or online payment by following the directions on the back of the Wish List.

If you have questions about the Fair, please contact me in the library.

Happy Reading!

Sue Marriott
Teacher/Librarian

During discussions with our lovely students this week I was reminded again how many of our students interact online – with both known and unknown “friends”. As we know, it becomes harder to discern online who are our known friends. Is he really another 9-year old from Brisbane? Is she really an 11-year old from Cairns? We know that not everyone online is who they say they are. Here are some red flags that you might want to share with your children:

• If you feel that something is not right – trust your “gut” instinct
• Things don’t add up – their online profile doesn’t match what you see and hear
• They ask to contact you in other ways: messaging, texts or other methods
• They ask you where in the house your device is, who else is in the house etc.
• They ask for favours and make promises
• They ask you to keep the friendship secret

And more …. encourage your children that if someone online makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, they should:

• Tell their parents or a trusted adult
• Block the person

Online interactions are part of our world today and not likely to disappear. Talk about keeping information private, trust your “gut” instincts, check their privacy settings and only befriending people they know in real life.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - (Benjamin Franklin)

Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands - (Jeff Cooper)

Don't learn safety by accident - (Jerry Smith)

Desiree Geldenhuys
School Chaplain
desireeg@chappy.org.au

Uniform Shop

Tuckshop

Frankie’s Tuckerbox

The tuckshop is open Monday - Friday and offers a range of healthy choice options. Please refer to the 2020 Tuckshop Menu

Orders can be placed at the tuckshop between 8.15am - 9am or online via flexischools (We prefer online ordering)

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 so it can be paid next day at the tuckshop.

All counter orders will incur a 20c processing fee.

Phone orders are no longer accepted.

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.

For further enquiries please contact:

Coomera Springs State School – Tuckshop
tuckshop@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

School Terms for 2020

School Calendar 2020

School Directory

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Community Notices

Dental Health Week – 3rd to 9th August 2020

A message from Gold Coast Oral Health Services

As part of Gold Coast Health COVID-19 response, we will temporarily be ceasing the operations of all dental units located in schools in our region, effective immediately.

This decision to temporarily cease services has not been made lightly.

We plan to leave the mobile units on site in the schools ready to recommence when we are given the directive to do so.

Keebra Park State High School Year 7 Enrolments

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