10 December 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Farewell 2021 Year 6 Cohort

This week, we bid our sad farewells to our 2021 Year 6 Cohort.

This cohort of 134 students has had a large and positive impact upon the school. They are a large cohort in numbers as well as achieving to a very high level. They have shone across all areas and when provided with a challenge, they rose up and met the challenge to achieve.

We got to know these young people at Kindillan Camp and also as great teams at Kokoda Challenge. They were wonderful entrepreneurs at the Market Stall as well as shining across all fields of endeavour.

These students knew what a five-star response looked like and used their formative assessment to obtain feedback to improve. I feel sure that Coomera Springs students will stand out positively within their respective Year 7 groups as students who use their GTMJs and their Friday testing to achieve to an amazing level.

These students have navigated 2020 and 2021 well and have excellent learning outcomes to take to secondary school.

We ask these students to please remember the red, grey and black uniform of your Primary years, your friends, the lessons learnt here at Coomera Springs.

All the best to our 2021 Year 6 cohort.

End of Year Farewells

The end of the year brings with it some sad farewells to members of our staff who will be working elsewhere in 2022. We have some staff on short term contracts that are finishing at the end of this year and we acknowledge those people for their contribution to the school.

The following staff members have been at the school for between 1 – 14 years and we wish them well in their new school or work situation for 2022. Thank you for your contribution to Coomera Springs over a significant period of time. We will miss you.

Caitlin Brandt
Sandra Button
Trudi Cook
Kristy Crawford
Alyce Eacott
Bel Gustavson
Matt Healy
Keiran Lewerisa
Tarni Nokes
Heidi Schaeffer

Continuing Learning and Engagement for Students with COVID- 19 in 2022

Together we continue to take action to create a safe and healthy bubble for our beautiful students, staff, families and our community. We currently operate under response Scenario 2. Our current operating conditions have restrictions easing but the continuation of our normal COVID-Safe routines and the easing of the need to wear face masks by adults and staff. Please continue to monitor updates as our COVID response can change very quickly.

We are carefully monitoring plans for borders opening prior to Christmas and what might be in place for the new school year. We thank our wonderful community for following the health advice and changes in a respectful and supportive way. We all want everyone to be healthy and safe and maintaining the continuity of learning and engagement for our students at this time. We are and always will be one community focussed on creating futures for our students.

Government Changes announced for 2022

The Queensland Government has recently announced a COVID vaccination mandate for 'high risk' settings including schools. This takes effect from the first school day in 2022. The directive applies to anyone who works in, undertakes an educational placement, or volunteers in a school, early childhood and care service (such as a kindergarten or Outside School Hours Care) or childcare centre is considered a worker in an education setting.

FAQs

These FAQs have been provided to assist families, volunteers and visitors.

Do students need to be vaccinated?

Students of all ages are still able to attend school regardless of their vaccination status.

Do visitors including parents need to be vaccinated?

The requirement to be fully vaccinated does not apply to visitors including family members to schools and early childhood education and care services.

How can schools check proof of vaccination for visitors, contractors and volunteers?

Schools can utilise the check in Qld app or sight vaccination certificates to gain proof of vaccination for visitors, contractors and volunteers. Copies of vaccination certificates do not need to be kept by the school. However, schools will need to keep a record this has been sighted as part of visitor management systems.

We are working on this being incorporated within our Visitor PassTab tablet system within the Admin.

Contingency Planning for 2022

All schools are required to plan for a different approach to the management of COVID in 2022. We have planned for a range of contingencies to ensure the continuity of business and learning in the event of any Queensland Health Directive that impacts the school.

We continue to take every precaution to meet all health requirements to protect our students, staff and visitors to the school. This includes the recent announcement of compulsory vaccination for all workers and volunteers.

• We are prepared in the event of a Health Directive upon our school.
• We will implement our critical communications with parents via SMS alerts, and email notifications. We can also use our school sign and school Facebook to alert families to any directive that impacts our school.
• In the event of any home quarantine arrangements, learning can continue through Classroom OneNote. Students will also be able to also access a matrix of learning through our on-line learning programs and 'Learning@Home' resources, and supported through home learning packs for some students. Our case managers will prepare learning for students on Individual Learning Plans and support for students in Out of Home Care and vulnerable students. Teachers will have their resources for teaching with them at school and at home to ensure that learning continues.

These contingency plans are in place 'in case' we need them and depend upon there being a government health directive that we have to implement.

Accessible Walkway to Tuckshop in 2022

Construction has commenced on an additional and central accessible walkway from the western car park and Coomera Springs Estate to the Tuckshop area of the school. This will provide a more central western entry point for Admin and junior classroom areas.

Once this is open, we will designate the following accessways to support our families:

• Walkway adjacent to the oval area - pedestrians, prams, strollers, wheelchairs. Bikes and scooters walked to enclosure.
• Walkway to the Tuckshop area - pedestrians, prams, strollers and wheelchairs (No bikes, no scooters)

Back to School Arrangements for 2022

Please see the following dates to assist with the end of the year and transition into the 2022 school year.

10 December 2021: Semester 2 Reports will be forwarded to parents/carers via email
10 December 2021: 2022 class lists accessible through the individual student unique identifier code available on the student report
10 December 2021: Final day of the 2021 school year
17 January 2022: Office open for enquiries
21 January 2022: Book Pack drop off and visit to 2022 class rooms
24 January 2022: School resumes for 2022.

(There will be slightly different arrangements for 2022 Prep students to be informed)

Enrolments open for Prep 2022

We are currently taking enrolments for Prep to start in 2022. Enrolments are open to the siblings of existing students, families residing within catchment and a small number of out of catchment enrolments where we have capacity.

We are very proud of the learning and happy faces from our Prep students. Our dedicated teaching team works hard to ensure our Prep program is the best it can be.

Please see below or contact the school for more information.

Learning Excellence

We continue to look back on our Excellence events for 2021.

We share more of our students achieving excellence during the last fortnight. We celebrate Christmas Concerts, Award Ceremonies, Year 5 Excursion, Swimming Carnival and our Gold Dojo Water Run.

Chris McMillan
Principal

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.

News from our Music Department

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2021

What a year we have had in Music! Covid restrictions unfortunately saw the last-minute cancellation of our Eisteddfod competitions, but we enjoyed Music COE excursions to the Symphony Orchestra and to watch UCSC’s production of Matilda the Musical. Our Music Showcase Evening was a great success, as were our Christmas Concerts! And who could forget our school musical, The Rocky Monster Show!

From everyone in the CSSS Music Department, we would like to say a huge thankyou to the parents and students for your hard work, dedication and commitment to performing and music making – we could not achieve what we do here without you!

For the graduating class of 2021 we wish you every success in high school, and hope you will come back and see us when you can. We will miss you! And for those of us who are returning, let’s make 2022 the best year yet!

FAREWELL

As 2021 draws to a close we are saying goodbye to a teacher from our Music Department. Our Classroom Music Teacher Mr Kieran Lewerissa will be leaving us at the end of this year to take up a position at another school. We would like to thank Kieran for his hard work and support of our Music program over the last 4 years.

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

News from our PE Department

Swimming Carnival Results

On Wednesday CSSS held the Years 4-6 2021 Swimming Carnival. I would like to thank all the students for their participation and outstanding efforts in the 25m and 50m swimming races. Students also enjoyed some free swim time to end our action-packed carnival. A big thanks to our wonderful staff and sports leaders for their assistance during the carnival. The winning house for the 2021 Swimming Carnival was Ballun!!

Well done to Rocky who broke the 10 Years Boys CSSS Swimming Record in the 50m Butterfly.

Congratulations to the following students who were crowned Age Champions for 2021:

9 Years (Born 2012) – Atlantis & Sam
10 Years (Born 2011) – Jasmin & Rocky
11 Years (Born 2010) – Zayla & Ryan
12 Years (Born 2009) – Kyama & Leo

Nigel Bailey
Sports Coordinator

P&C News

Best wishes to our School Community for a very Happy and Safe Christmas.

Sincere thanks to everyone who has supported the P &C Assoc during the year. It has been again, a year with a difference, however our small committee where able to run some successful events.

• Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls
• 2 Raffles
• Loose coin challenge
• Bunnings Community Sausage Sizzle

Unfortunately, our big event - Community Movie Night had to be postponed to early next year. The weather was against us this term. The night is now scheduled for 25 February 2022. Please keep a check out via our communication platforms for ticket details, once school has resumed.

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets in our Christmas Raffle. Winners have been notified to collect their prizes.

Sincere thanks to all the companies who sponsored the raffle. Without their support and generosity, this raffle would not have been the success it was. Approx $1200 was raised.

Thank you again to everyone for your support.

Special THANKS to the ladies who have worked tirelessly in the Tuckshop all year. Especially, to Angela, Vivienne and Natalie and also their small band of volunteers. Thank you for not letting our students and staff tummies go hungry.

Sincere THANKS to Erin Nichols, our P&C Treasurer, for seeking sponsors, vouchers and many gifts for our raffles and arranging sponsors for our movie night.

First 2022 P&C meeting will be 4 February 2022. So, mark your calendar, as we will be seeking volunteers to assist with the first fundraiser of the year. - The Community Night on 25 February.

Stay safe and enjoy Christmas with family and friends and see you back in 2022.

Ann Arthur - President

2022 School Bus Pass – Surfside Buslines

Please see below message regarding school bus passes for 2022. For further information, please contact Surfside Buslines directly.

With the end of the school year fast approaching we are now preparing for the processing, printing and distribution of school travel passes for use on our services in 2022!

In order for this to be executed correctly and in a timely manner I have attached the following forms, information sheets and frequently asked questions below to assist parents when applying for a school bus travel pass:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I apply?

• You can apply quickly and conveniently online on https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/public/school/school-transport-assistance/apply-for-school-transport-assistance. Once submitted, your form is sent to us for processing.
• Alternatively, you can apply using an paper application form which is available for Safety-Net Travel Assistance and Distance-based Travel Assistance on https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/concessions/school-students/school-transport-assistance Print the form out and when complete, mail the application to Surfside Buslines, 1-10 Mercantile Court, Molendinar, 4214 Given the number of applications being processed please allow time you receive your approval letter from Queensland Transport for us to print the pass and send it to your school for collection.

Am I eligible for Safety-net bus travel assistance?

• The following is a brief summary of eligibility and should be used as a guide only. Please refer to the School Transport Assistance Scheme for full details or contact your nearest Department of Transport and Main Roads office. Safety-net bus travel assistance is available for financially disadvantaged students who live close to their nearest school. It is available to students travelling on either kilometre-based or fares-based school bus services. To be eligible for safety-net assistance, students must meet the distance criteria, as well as the safety-net eligibility criteria as stated below.

The student must be listed as a dependant on one of the following cards:

• Health Care card (issued by Centrelink)
• Pensioner Concession card (issued by Centrelink)
• Veteran Affairs Pension Concession card.
• Students who have a card issued in their own name, as well as students under a Care and Protection Order, issued by Department of Communities (Child Safety), may also qualify for safety-net assistance.

Distance criteria:

• Prep students are entitled to transport assistance in their prep year
• Primary school students (1 – 6) must live 3.2 km or less, from the nearest state primary school
• Secondary school students (7 – 12) must live 4.8 km or less from the nearest state secondary school
• Non-state school students must live less than the required distances from both the nearest state & non-state school (of type attended).
• Students with special needs. Students enrolled in a special school or a special unit within a school will be considered irrespective of distance. Please note that the Department of Education and Training provides transport assistance for students with disabilities.

Am I eligible for distance-based travel assistance?

• The following is a brief summary of eligibility and should be used as a guide only. Please refer to the School Transport Assistance Scheme for full details or contact your nearest Department of Transport and Main Roads office. To be eligible for distance-based assistance, students must meet the distance criteria relevant to their circumstances, as well as satisfy the general conditions of the scheme.

To be eligible:

• Prep students are eligible for transport assistance in their prep year
• Primary school students (Prep – 7) must live more than 3.2 km† from the nearest state primary school
• Secondary school students (8 – 12) must live more than 4.8 km† from the nearest state secondary school
• Non-state school students must live more than the required distances from both the nearest state & non-state school (of type attended).
• Students with special needs. Students enrolled in a special school or a special unit within a school will be considered irrespective of distance. Please note that the Department of Education and Training provides transport assistance for students with disabilities.

Visit the link below or contact School Administration for more information

When do I renew my application?

Your child will need to apply for a new bus pass if they are:

• Entering into Grade 7 OR repeating a grade
• If your child has changed home address and/or school, you must notify your school immediately and arrange for a new application form to be completed and your old bus pass returned. This new form will be submitted to Surfside Buslines for assessment.

How do I replace a lost or stolen bus pass?

• Providing the student has not moved schools or home, a replacement bus pass can be purchased from your bus driver for $20.00 payable in cash only. Please complete the APPLICATION FOR REPLACEMENT BUS PASS FORM and hand to your bus driver with the $20.00. The driver will issue a receipt for the $20.00. The receipt is to be used as a temporary bus pass until the replacement pass has been issued. The replacement bus pass will be sent to your School Administration for collection as soon as practicable.

QLD General Information: If the student in your care does not have a current bus pass they must pay a full student fare, or use a go card, to travel on a school bus. Visit the link below for information on concession fares.

Please visit the link below for a complete copy of the Code of Conduct document.

At the end of each school year, please ensure that the current pass is retained to be used in the new school year until the new pass is issued.

*Students with an existing bus pass need only re-apply if their home address has changed, or they are going to a different school in the new year (this includes moving from Primary to High School).

Some useful links to follow:

Apply for your bus pass online:

Surfside Buslines Website:

Translink website (Distance based application information):

Translink Website (Safety Net application information):

TMR website:

Uniform Shop

Tuckshop

Frankie’s Tuckerbox

The tuckshop is open Monday - Friday and offers a range of healthy choice options. Please click here for the 2021 Tuckshop Menu.

Orders can be placed at the tuckshop between 7.30am and 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 Calendar 2022

School Directory

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Community Notices

School Immunisation Program

Is your child starting grade 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, 2022. 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 want your child to participate, or not. For more information about the SIP and vaccines being offered, please visit the link below or phone 1800 940 750.

Christmas Mass Schedule 2021

St. Mary’s Catholic Parish
185 Billinghurst Crescent,
Upper Coomera,
QLD 4209
Ph: 5529 9144

Friday, 24th December (Christmas Eve)
4.30pm Carols
5pm Mass
9.30pm Carols
10pm Mass

Saturday, 25th December (Christmas Day)
7.30am Mass
9.30am Mass
NO 6pm VIGIL MASS

Sunday, 26th December (Boxing Day)
7.30am Mass
9am Mass
NO 5pm MASS

ALL MASSES WILL BE CELEBRATED IN THE PARISH MAIN CHURCH

Free School Holiday Programs

The Gold Coast City Council’s Summer of Fun guide will be available online at the beginning of December. For more information, visit their website:

Free School Holiday Programs ages 12-17

For students aged 12 and older siblings, view the flyers below detailing structured programs with various activities for the upcoming Summer holidays. Youth can stay all day or simply for the activities that they want.

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