18 September 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Learning Excellence in Term 3

Through the amazing support and cooperation of our entire school community, we have been able to ensure continued learning excellence at Coomera Springs during Term 3. We have taken an innovative approach and made many changes in how things work due to COVID. Our entire community have been amazing in adapting and being supportive to help us make things happen for students:

• Live streaming of school events, athletics, Book Parade and assemblies to enable our families to be part of student activities
• Photos and video sharing of excursions, camps and school events
• Our team have implemented COVID – Safe plans for Music Information and 2021 Prep Information sessions
• Every incursion, excursion and camp requiring additional planning and adjustments

With your support and some innovation, we have been able to hold over twenty signature school events and excellence activities during Term 3. We know that 2020 is the one time every single student spends in their current year level and we all want this to be the very best year possible for them.

Our Year 6 students were able to attend a rescheduled and adjusted Year 6 Camp that turned out to be an amazing experience for the students. Please see the slideshow below to share some of these experiences.

Safety Messages

Use of pedestrian crossings

Pedestrian and road safety around the school is a priority for everyone. Our students are learning road safety all of the time when they are on the road. They learn by watching us all and through the actions of adults. We strongly urge families to ensure that students cross roadways on the provided pedestrian crossings consistently, even when there is little traffic. This assists our students to learn and practice safe behaviours.

Magpie Swooping

It is once again the time of year when magpies are nesting and swooping. We have some resident magpies that share space with us at the school and the general community. These areas tend to be at the very perimeter of the school and parkland, and may impact students walking home or those in pick up areas. This is the advice from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science:

• Avoid known magpie swooping areas where possible. Avoid ‘defence zones’ by taking alternative routes during the breeding season.

• Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or use an umbrella
• If cycling, dismount and push bikes through magpie defence zones
• Walk in groups or keep to high traffic areas

Classroom air-conditioning work

Work on classroom air-conditioning is currently well underway as part of the Cooler Cleaner School Program. This will see every classroom space yet to be air conditioned fitted with air conditioning ready for summer. Air conditioning will also be installed in parts of the Resource Centre. Contractors will be working overnight and outside school hours to minimise the disruption to learning while this work is being completed. This is great news for the school to ensure that every student will learn in an air-conditioned classroom. We expect that every Coomera Springs classroom will be air-conditioned prior to the summer period.

We work together to maintain a COVID-Safe bubble for Coomera Springs

As an entire school community, we need to continue to implement the various modifications and restrictions on the way we do things to keep our school community safe, and our school operating. We cannot become complacent and somehow believe that this is over. We know that locations have been listed which were visited by individuals who tested positive. These locations are in our community. We continue to be vigilant by doing the following:

• Monitor all Queensland Health Advice and Directives.
• Do not enter the school if unwell – students, staff, parents and visitors.
• Get tested if experiencing symptoms.
• Adult social distancing inside and outside the school and restricting access to school areas.
• Hygiene and frequent sanitisation.
• We work together on this including some live streaming of events to keep things happening for students where we can

Excellence at Coomera Springs

This fortnight we highlight our wonderful Year 6 PGL Camp, Prep Jacobs Well and Year 6 Beach Day Excursions. We celebrate being able to hold over twenty excellence events during Term 3.

Student Safety and Collection at 3pm

Student safety is our highest priority. Our Leadership Team have recently been reminding students of this, and we are asking for your support if your child is collected from the front entrance of the school. Currently we see children running out on the road to cross without looking, parents parking and collecting their child in the bus zone or parking in the yellow lined areas (which are not parking bays), children waiting on the grassy northern side of the school (which is unsafe as a teacher can’t supervise them) and children scooting or riding to school without a helmet.

We are asking you to consider the following points. We have addressed all 905 students in an attempt to achieve an orderly 3pm collection compared to what is currently happening, which we can only describe as unsafe and concerning.

Please consider the following:

• Remind your child that the grassy side to the north of the school entrance is out of bounds.
• The school bus needs access to the bus zone which is the first lane closest to the school. This area and the lane immediately before it are marked with yellow lines all the way down the hill. Please do not park or wait against a yellow line.
• Consider parking or collecting your child in the second and third lanes of the carpark.
• Parents are not permitted on school grounds, nor are able to congregate in small groups – this includes the areas just outside the school gates. This is in accordance with COVID safe guidelines.
• Remind your child that if they don’t have a helmet, scooting or bike riding shouldn’t be encouraged.
• Devices remain in school bags until out of school grounds.
• Mobile phones must be taken to the office every morning before school, switched off or on silent mode. No student should have their mobile phones in their school bags or on them during the school day.
• Remind your child to sit and wait patiently. Students should not be involved in tag or ball games whilst waiting to be collected.
• Remind your child about how to cross the road, and the only safe place to do this is at the zebra crossing.
• Bikes and scooters are to be walked through the school grounds at all times. Students leaving in the afternoon should be using the designated bike lane that runs parallel to the driveway. They should not be trying to exit through the carpark.

Student free days on 10 and 11 December 2020

Your patience and flexibility during this pandemic have been extraordinary. This year will be remembered for many things, not least a year of challenge, uncertainty and great complexity.

Everyone has been affected by COVID-19. While many in our communities across the state have contributed to ensuring Queensland families remain healthy and safe, I think we all would agree our state school teachers and school staff have done an incredible job at leading our children’s education.

In recognition of their outstanding efforts during the pandemic, the Queensland Government has declared the last two days of Term 4, 2020, Thursday 10 December and Friday 11 December, 2020, be allocated as student free days. Schools will be closed on these days.

This will come as great news for those who are keen to begin their school holidays early. For some families, alternative arrangements will need to be made for the care of children on these two days.

You can view the updated school holiday and term dates and download the calendar at the link below:

Educating our children is a team effort. On behalf of our teaching and school staff, I would like to thank you for your support and cooperation during this year.

Chris McMillan
Principal

Hear and Say Screening Program for Preps

Attention Prep Parents

We are offering a hearing screen through Hear and Say Hearing Screening Program. This service is being offered to all of our Prep students free of charge. The hearing screen service will be conducted by specialist Audiometrists here at Coomera Springs State School on Friday, 16 October 2020.

We encourage all Prep parents to have their child’s ears and hearing checked, even if you are not concerned about their hearing. The service includes an ear health check and middle ear function test. You will also receive a report with the results from your child’s hearing screen. It is relatively short, and students will be accompanied to the appointment by a school staff member. Please visit the Hear and Say website for more information.

If you would like to take advantage of this free service, please click on the link below to fill out the online registration form. If you are unable to complete the form online, please see the office for a hard copy. There is only a small window to complete the form online – please do so ASAP!!! Places are limited, first in best dressed!

1 to 1 iPad Program 2021

We will be holding a Parent Information Session for our 1 to 1 iPad Program on Tuesday 6 October 2020 at 3:30pm in our school hall. During this session, you will hear all about how our program works and the types of things students do with their iPads in the learning environment.

The Expression of Interest form is now available on our school website. Please click here: 2021 1:1 iPad Program Expression of Interest form. Our program is an opt-in program, and iPads are to be purchased at parents’ expense. See below for iPad purchasing options. If you already have a student in the iPad program and are happy to complete the EOI prior to attending the Information Session, you are welcome to do so.

Please note that places will be limited for our Year 1 intake in 2021 and places will be offered on a first in, best-dressed basis. EOIs are due back by 16 October 2020.

Students from other year levels are also welcome to submit an Expression of Interest if they would like to join our program in 2021.

Class Placements and Parent Requests 2021

Class placement time for 2021 is fast approaching. We are commencing our processes to create balanced class groups for 2021 with significant and popular excellence classes and programs. Historically, Coomera Springs State School has been able to consider friendship requests from parents when putting students into classes for the following year.

The leadership team has carefully considered the best interests of the students and the school. Due to the reality that Coomera Springs State School offers an increasing number of excellence programs such as Music, STEM, and 1:1 iPad groupings, it is no longer viable to also consider individual friendship requests from families. Our dedicated teachers always have the best interests and knowledge of your children at the forefront of their minds. Many factors are considered, including knowledge of friendships, class dynamics, academic profile and class numbers when classes are formulated for the following year.

The only requests from families that we will be honouring for the formation of classes for 2021 will be if siblings or family members (cousins) are in the same grade. This information can be emailed to: classplacements@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au. Any emails received after the 30th of October, will not be considered.

We are hoping to be able to email families their child’s/children’s expected class and teacher for 2021 on the last day of school (11th December 2020). Class lists will also be displayed for the first two school days of 2021. No changes will be made to class placements unless there is an error around 1:1 iPad placement and sibling/family placements.

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

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.

News from the Chaplain

And so we come to the end of another term, and what an interesting term it was! As Victoria and many parts of the world are grappling with more Covid-19 outbreaks, we’re enjoying a beautiful start to spring and the many blessings we enjoy as Queenslanders – sunshine, rivers, waterways and endless beaches!

For some, developing resilience has become a real priority. Resilience, the ability to recover quickly from difficult circumstances, has become a new “buzz word”. However, resilience is important for several reasons; it enables us to develop mechanisms and strategies for protection against experiences which could be overwhelming, it helps us to maintain balance in our lives during “tough” or stressful periods, and can also protect us from the development of some mental health difficulties and issues.

The good news is that resilience can and should be developed for both adults and children. As a guideline, here are seven principles or skills for developing resilience:

Principle 1: Cultivate a belief in your ability to cope.
Principle 2: Stay connected with sources of support (friends, family, professional).
Principle 3: Talk about what you're going through with trusted people.
Principle 4: Be helpful to others. They might be going through something difficult too!
Principle 5: Activate positive emotion, for example through gratitude.
Principle 6: Cultivate an attitude of survivorship – I will survive this!
Principle 7: Seek meaning.

“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”
― Robert Jordan. The Fires of Heaven

“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
― Angela Duckworth

Desiree Geldenhuys
School Chaplain
desireeg@chappy.org.au

P&C NEWS

Dear Parents and Carers

As we come to the end of Term 3 we hope all the families and friends of the CSSS community are safe and well.

Tuckshop

Your continued support is much appreciated and is helping us cater for our students and school staff. On behalf of the Executive Committee and school community, we would like to thank Angela, Vivienne and all volunteers who continue to provide great food and service (with a smile) to our school staff and students.

Fundraising

As a result of your support for our Father’s Day celebrations, we have managed to raise approximately $1100 which is a good result. It appears that the raffle was somewhat more successful than the stall. If you have any ideas on these types of fundraising events and how they could be improved, we would welcome your feedback via the P&C email address below. Even though the proceeds of these activities were perhaps lower than we expected, we are still very grateful to all who supported the Father’s Day Raffle and Stall. This money will go towards the construction of a covered walkway from the school hall, and we will keep you posted on its development.

Uniforms

At the previous P&C Meeting we discussed the possibility of sourcing CSSS school bags for our students. This idea has been with us for some time and has been adopted by many other schools in the area, and we believe it would create a sense of unity for our students and the school. We are currently seeking quotes and delivery timeframes and we will keep you informed.

Communication

We are aiming to provide effective and clear communication through this newsletter. The P&C Committee (Executive Members and Principal) can be contacted via the email address below: CSSS_PandC@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au

Please also feel free to contact the P&C President at email: 5730_CSSS_PandC@eq.edu.au or the tuckshop staff at: 5730_cstuckshop@eq.edu.au.

Monthly P&C Meeting

The next P&C Meeting will be held in the Resource Centre (next to the library) on Wednesday 14th October at 3:30pm. As we have limited capacity please let us know if you would like to come and join in. All our welcome.

With your help, we look forward to providing ongoing support for our school, students and our community. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday break and we look forward to seeing you in term 4.

Sincerely,
CSSS P&C Executive Committee

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

A message from Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service – Dental Clinics

The temporary closure of Mobile Dental Clinics located in schools in our region will continue. The decision to continue the cessation of services has not been made lightly and is part of a wider plan for the management of GCHHS Oral Health Services during this time.

Mobile Dental Clinics will remain on site in schools ready to recommence when we are given the directive to do so.

In the interim, dental services will be provided from Burleigh School Dental Clinic.

Please contact the Client Service Centre on 1300 300 850 for appointments or advice.

SWELL Sculpture Festival - Free Online SWELL Kids’ Workshops

This year the SWELL Sculpture Festival Team are proud to announce that they have adapted their SWELL Kids’ Programs to be online.

These programs are now live on the website and ready to be accessed by kids everywhere! They are easy and fun and only require simple materials.

Click the links below to access the SWELL Kids’ Online Art Workshops

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