13 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

NAIDOC Week 8 – 15 November 2020

This week, we mark NAIDOC Week at the school. The theme for this year’s NAIDOC is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’.

“Always Was, Always Will Be” recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

This country was criss-crossed by generations of brilliant Nations.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.

Australia has the world’s oldest oral stories. The First Peoples engraved the world’s first maps, made the earliest paintings of ceremony and invented unique technologies. They built and engineered structures - structures on earth - predating well-known sites such as the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge.

Through adaptation and intimate knowledge of Country, The First Peoples were able to endure climate change, catastrophic droughts and rising sea levels.

“Always Was, Always Will Be” acknowledges that hundreds of Nations and cultures covered this continent. All were managing the land - the biggest estate on earth - to sustainably provide for their future.

We mark NAIDOC Week at our Week 6 Assembly and with class activities.

White Ribbon Day—20 November 2020

Friday 20th November is White Ribbon Day. The White Ribbon Campaign is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls. White Ribbon Day is our opportunity to bring people together to raise awareness and commit to action to prevent men’s violence against women. In workplaces, schools and communities all over Australia, we are encouraging everyone to stand up, speak out and act to end gendered violence.

Internal School Fencing - western side

Construction starts this week on additional internal school fencing to enhance student safety adjacent to our western access road and carparks for C&K and the Benevolent Society. Please be aware of the work that is underway. We will keep you updated with the construction work and impacts. Student drop off and pick up will continue to be available at a gate to be constructed outside the Prep area and also the western stairs and access ramp.

Air Conditioning Update

Our school has been fortunate to receive the installation of classroom air conditioning before many schools on the Gold Coast. We now have air conditioning units installed in every classroom. Whilst the majority of these units are now operational, we have been made aware that an electrical upgrade is required before some units can be operated. The appointed project manager is coordinating this upgrade and keeping us updated. We expect more information on this by the end of November.

We work together to maintain a COVID-Safe bubble for Coomera Springs in Term 4.

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. This has enabled a number of school events, excursions and incursions to occur. The guidelines under which we operate remain with very minor modifications for Term 4. We continue to be vigilant.

• We have received confirmation that dancing can be included in our Year 6 Graduation.
• Monitor all Queensland Health Advice and Directives.
• Do not enter the school if unwell – students, staff, parents and visitors.
• Get tested if you have 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.

Learning continues at high levels during 2020

At the very heart of what we do at Coomera Springs is teaching and learning. Students in Years 1 – 6 recently completed some internal standardised testing in Mathematics, Vocabulary and Reading. These reports tell us that Coomera Springs students are learning at high levels and making good progress during 2020. Teachers and students, with the help of parents during the period of learning at home, have been able to more than make up any lost learning time during 2020. While there are many things that we worry about this year, our evidence is that learning in core learning areas has more than caught up. I acknowledge our teachers and all other educators for this success.

We use this testing to diagnose any learning gaps across cohorts.

Learning Excellence in Term 4

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 4. We have around 26 special events and excellence programs scheduled for Term 4.

• Live streaming or the sharing of highlights of school events such as assemblies, and photo highlights of other school events to enable our families to be part of student activities
• Our team have implemented COVID – Safe plans for 1:1 Information, Music COE, Instrumental Music and 2021 Prep Information sessions
• Every incursion, excursion and camp requiring additional planning and adjustments

With your support and some innovation, we plan to hold around twenty-six signature school events and excellence activities during Term 4. 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.

We are currently continuing with Prep Swimming. Please see the photos in the gallery below to share some of these experiences.

Chris McMillan
Principal

Student Leadership

Our Year Five students have completed their leadership passports and are moving to the next phase of the student leadership journey.

Week 7 will see them present their speeches to their peers, which will culminate with the final stages of the election in Weeks 8 and 9.

Good luck to all candidates!

Year Six Graduation

Our 2020 Year 6 Graduation is fast approaching – Tuesday 8th December. There is limited seating available, so to ensure all family members are part of this special occasion, we will be recording the event and streaming to an online platform. The associated links will be emailed to families and the feed/footage will only be able to be accessed via that link. The footage will also be available for future viewing using the same link, as well as the event having a live feed to the big screen at Movie World on the night.

All professional photography from the night will also be available from the school if your Year Six child brings a USB in to school and downloads the files.

In the near future the Year Six class teachers will communicate more details around the night and purchased tickets will be sent home. Please ensure you respond to class teachers if there are any dietary requirements. It is shaping up to be a fantastic night of fun and celebration!

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 or 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.

PE News

Swimming Carnival 2020

Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will participate in the annual Swimming Carnival on Friday 4th December, at the Coomera Anglican College Pool.

All students in Years 4, 5 and 6 are expected to attend. It is a normal school day.

Events

Students who only want to swim in the 25m events do not have to nominate prior to the carnival.

50m Nominations ONLY will be taken prior to the Carnival.

Travelling to and from the Carnival

Children will be departing with their classroom teacher at 8.50am from Coomera Springs State School and returning to school by approximately 2.50pm. Students will be walking to and from Coomera Anglican College. Students must not arrive at the pool via private transport. Parents wanting to collect their child from the pool, must sign out with their class teacher or the gate supervising teacher.

STUDENTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PURCHASE FOOD OR DRINKS FROM THE POOL KIOSK.

Please return completed permission note and medical forms to class teachers by Friday 20th November.

Unfortunately, due to current Covid-19 restrictions parents, guardians and friends will not be able to attend.

Mr Bailey
PE Specialist

Music News

Instrumental Music – Update

Earlier this term, all students in Years 3-5 who are CURRENTLY in our Instrumental Music program (for Strings or Band) were given a “Continuing Strings” or a “Continuing Band” note to be completed and returned.

If you did NOT receive a note from your child regarding Instrumental Music in 2021 please email Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au ASAP. As soon as we have received a response from all current students we will commence timetabling for 2021.

Instrumental Music applications for NEW STUDENTS (BEGINNERS) for 2021 are currently being processed. Parents will be contacted regarding Instrumental Music acceptances for 2021 in the last two weeks of Term 4 this year.

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

P&C NEWS

Dear Parents and Carers

We are now more than half way through Term 4 and hope all the families and friends of the CSSS community are safe and doing well.

Tuckshop

Turnover in the tuckshop is increasing from its previous average figures, which is great news, and we thank everyone for their support. Increased demand and support for our tuckshop products also creates increased demand for our staff. So, with that, we are pleased to announce that Vivienne has accepted an offer to increase her working hours to help Angela and our volunteers keep up with demand. Thanks to Angela and all our tuckshop staff for their continued dedication.

Fundraising

We are continuing to keep in close contact with the school and monitor restrictions on school activities that are still being enforced by Education Queensland. The Executive Committee have been discussing possible fundraising events and we may have a proposal that will engage the school community in a slightly different way. We will let everyone know what will be happening in this space in due course.

Please contact us at the email address on the CSSS Website or at: CSSS_PandC@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au if you wish to share ideas for fundraising events or offer your assistance.

Air Conditioning

We understand that coming into the warmer months the community are asking about air conditioning. We ask that you please appreciate that this is now a QLD Government responsibility and any enquiries regarding its functionality should be directed to the school in the first instance. We understand there are some matters around power to the A/C units that are being finalised, and we appreciate your patience.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the community including our children, parents and carers, and the past and present members of the P&C, for their incredible support in providing air conditioning units for our school and our students over so many years. It has been a great effort!

Communication

We understand that clear communication is important to alleviate any concerns and curiosity, and hopefully the school website and Facebook page are providing an effective source of information for parents and carers. Please check them out at:

If anyone would like to contact the P&C Executive Committee members, which also includes the school Principal at our shared email, please use: CSSS_PandC@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au.

If you would like to contact the P&C President directly via email you can do this at:

PandCPresident@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au.

Tuckshop staff are available via email at: cstuckshop@coomeraspringsss.eq.edu.au.

Monthly P&C Meeting

Our last P&C Meeting for 2020 was held on Wednesday 11th November and we will update the community on some of the outcomes in the next newsletter. Thank you to Mr McMillan and school staff for their attendance and valuable input this year.

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 remainder of 2020.

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 Terms for 2021

School Calendar 2021

School Directory

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Community Notices

A message from Gold Coast Health – School Immunisation Program

Is your child starting Year 7 next year?

Be on the lookout for an invitation for your child to participate in the free School Immunisation Program (SIP) in Term 1, 2021. In February, you will be sent an email or SMS from Queensland Health with a link to an online form. The form will provide information on the vaccines being offered and ask you to confirm if you would like your child to participate, or not.

For more information about the SIP and vaccines being offered, please phone 1800 940 750 or

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