13 September 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Important dates coming up

End of Term 3 - Friday 16 September
Spring Vacation - 17 September to 3 October
National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty - Thursday 22 September (school vacation period - Camp Australia will update with regards to vacation care)
Queen's Birthday - Public Holiday Monday 3 October - (School and Camp Australia closed)
(State Government is expected to provide an update on this public holiday)

Vale Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II was much loved and respected by Queenslanders having served as the Sovereign for more than 70 years. The Queen will be remembered fondly by millions worldwide as the longest reigning monarch of the Commonwealth.

The Queen visited Queensland on eight occasions, the first visit being in 1954, and then subsequent visits in 1963, 1970, 1977, 1982, 1988, and 2002 with her last visit being to Brisbane in October 2011 to show her support of Queenslanders who suffered in the floods that occurred earlier in that year.

Term 3 2022

This newsletter marks the end of Term 3. As we look back on this term, we reflect on great learning and many school activities and special events. The term started with the Kokoda Challenge and finishes with Year 5 Camp and Under 8s Day. We came together to celebrate Children's Book Week this term. Our students have achieved in a wide cross section of endeavours and with students from other schools and colleges. We celebrate the diverse range of achievements that reflect that students can play sport, pursue performing arts, chess and spelling at very high levels.

I take this opportunity to thank our staff and families for supporting these endeavours as well as the very important day to day learning routines during Term 3.

We look forward to the Spring Vacation and look forward to seeing all our faces back on Tuesday 4 October.

Excellence for all students

Our focus upon excellence is for all students. When students are achieving at their optimal level and making progress, we celebrate this as excellence. We believe that there is no predefined limit to what can be achieved. Students amaze us every day with the personal high levels of achievement reached. Students have learning goals to work on and enjoy bumping up their work to the next level for them. Students can achieve in a wide variety of endeavours and in diverse fields. Students know that practice and effort bring results as well as persistence and resilience. A level of challenge to achieve goals is rewarding and brings its own self-fulfilment. Some of the most amazing achievements to celebrate and when students reach high at their own level and achieve their own personal best.

We celebrate the successes for all students over the last term.

Exceptional achievement by Coomera Springs students in Term 3

Coomera Springs students have achieved remarkable achievements across a variety of fields over Term 3. We celebrate with them and share with pride these achievements.

• St Stephens/ Griffith University - STEM Cup Challenge - first place
• Gold Coast Primary Inter-School Chess Championships - Finalists
• Gardiner Inter-school Chess - 4 merits
• Beenleigh Eisteddfod – 4 firsts, 2 second places
• Kokoda Challenge – all finished and 3rd place
• Touch Rugby League – First and second team places
• Invitational netball – Second, third, player of the match
• St Stephen’s Spelling Bee – First, Third places

Term 3 Special Events to Celebrate

We reflect and celebrate the special events held over Term. Thank you to all our wonderful teachers who made this happen:

• Kokoda Challenge
• Yr 5 Camp - Currumbin Farm Stay
• Jacobs Well - Prep Excursion
• Logan Eisteddfod
• Netball Competition
• Life Education
• South Queensland Primary School Touch Football
• Science Show
• Science Week
• Book Week
• Book Parade
• Interschool Chess Tournament
• Broadwater and South Coast Track and Field
• Plant a Tree Day
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
• Yr 6 STEM Conference
• NAIDOC
• NRL 9s Gala Day
• Coomera Cup
• 4, 5, 6 Gala Sports Days x 2
• St Stephens Spelling Bee
• UCSC Sista STEM
• SRC Free Dress Day
• Coin Challenge
• 4,5,6 Cybersafe
• Yr 6 Market Day
• St Stephens STEM
• 5,6 COE Workshops
• Under 8s
• 5,6 Reach PSSC

Year 5 Camp - Currumbin Farm Stay

Our Year 5 students achieved their three CVR badges to achieve their cadet level at Currumbin Valley Farm Stay last week. This is a great camp which provides the students the opportunity to work in teams to complete rescue missions whilst stretching themselves on challenges. The students were wonderful, the food and cabins great. Please enjoy some highlights through the slide show.

Students continuing learning during the cold and flu season

We thank our school families for keeping their students away from school with symptoms. This is keeping our COVID rate down which is vitally important at this time. If your child has mild symptoms and is capable of completing learning tasks, we would like them to continue their learning until they can return to school. Students may be able to complete work on OneNote or via learning that can be emailed home.

These are exceptional times, but we would like to see all students continue their learning wherever possible.

Thank you for your continued assistance in managing the surge in COVID numbers. Face masks continue to be supported but not mandated in school settings. Isolation period for positive cases who are otherwise well has been reduced to five days.

Current COVID Measures – COVID Normal

Please see the following most up-to-date guidelines:

• The vaccination mandate for staff, contractors and volunteers was rescinded at the end of June
• Face masks no longer required in school settings
• Mass gatherings and events can resume
• Restrictions on parents, carers and visitors eased
• All assemblies, incursions, camps and excursions can recommence
• We continue our day cleaner to continually sanitise high touch areas during school hours
• Students who choose to wear face masks will continue to be supported
• We maintain a supply of face masks to support staff and students who request
• Anyone who is unwell or with symptoms to isolate away from school and get tested
• We maintain a supply or RATs for unwell staff and unwell students to take home (until supply is exhausted)
• Close contact rules have changed from 6pm on Thursday 28 April, provided close contacts test negative and wear face masks they may leave home.

Our community keeping everyone safe

We are all very aware that coronavirus has been and is circulating within our broader community. We acknowledge and thank many families doing the right thing in getting tested and isolating if positive. The school has a supply of RATs to be sent home with students who are referred to sick bay with symptoms. Coomera Springs families experiencing symptoms at home can access testing through HAAN Respiratory Centre (100m south of the school) or any testing centre or RAT supplier. Testing and isolating if positive is helping to reduce the spread of the virus at school.

Confirmed cases of COVID are occurring within our school community on a regular basis. Vigilance in keeping students with symptoms at home and getting tested is still the best way to contain the spread at this time. Thank you for testing and isolating if positive or close contact. This is important at this time.

Celebrate Success

We are really impressed with the achievements of our students across a range of fields.

We celebrate the great achievements in recent weeks in our slideshow in this newsletter. This fortnight, we highlight STEM Cup Challenge, Yr 6 Market Day and Interschool Chess Championships

Chris McMillan
Principal

Prep 2023 Enrolments Now Open

2023 Prep Enrolments are now open!

Little ones born between 1 July, 2017 & 30 June, 2018 are eligible to start Prep in 2023!

Download an enrolment pack from our website or pop in and see Vicky and Janine in the office.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures:

Explicit teaching begins at 8.40am and finishes at 3.00pm. Consistently arriving after 8.40am or departing before 3.00pm, may mean your child is missing quality learning time.

Arriving late, often means the class teacher has to stop the lesson, welcome your child, explain what they have missed and then return his/her attention back to the class who is trying to wait patiently.

Departing early, also means the class teacher has to stop the lesson, answer the call from the office, support your child to pack up belongings, and then return attention to the rest of the class who, again is waiting.

We believe that all of our students can achieve success at our school with our dedicated teaching staff, their expertise and research-based pedagogy but this can only happen if our students are at school, on time, learning every day.

We understand that some late arrivals and early departures are for legitimate reasons, but the effect remains the same.

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.

School Council

All Independent Public Schools (IPS) are required to establish a school council. School councils enable greater involvement of the school community and other stakeholders, such as industry, in setting the strategic direction for the school. The school council must perform its role in accordance with legislation and in a way that achieves the best learning outcomes for the school's students.

The school council:

• monitors the school's strategic direction
• approves plans, policies and other strategic school documents including the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure
• monitors the implementation of the plans, policies and other strategic documents

Here at Coomera Springs State School we are looking for two parents to join our School Council. Should we receive more nominations, a ballot will be conducted.

Eligibility

To be eligible for election as an elected parent or elected staff member, a person must:

• not be the principal of the school or the Parents and Citizens’ association (P&C) president
• have not been convicted of an indictable offence, unless the Minister gives approval under the Act (s.93)
• attend a meeting called for the purpose of electing parent members or staff members
• be the parent of a student attending the school (for elected parent member) or be a member of staff at the school (for elected staff member), and
• submit a completed nomination on time.

Term of Office

The general term of office for elected parent members or elected staff members is two years, although a different term may be set by the school council to create uniformity in the end dates of members’ terms of office.

If you are interested in joining the school council, please contact Chris McMillan cmcmi7@eq.edu.au.

News from HOI

News from our Library

Dear Parents and Carers,

The end of term is here.

All borrowing has now finished.

Could you please make sure your child’s library book and home readers have come back to school ready for next term.

Thank you for your support this term with Book Club.

So far this year we have been able to buy through rewards $600 worth of books for the library.

Book Fair

Book Fair is next term.

Information will come out at the beginning of the next Term.

Happy Reading,
Sue Marriott
Teaching Librarian

News from the PE Department

Congratulations to Rashan who finished 3rd in the 10 Years Boys 200m sprint at the recent Regional Athletic Trials. Rashan will now be a part of the South Coast Team to compete at the State Championships in Term 4. CSSS wish Rashan all the best at the upcoming State Championships.

News from our Music Department

Year 5 & 6 Music COE Song Writing Workshops

This week we have had a very exciting Incursion for our Year 5 & 6 Music COE Students, who had the opportunity to work with award-winning artist, performer, and song writing and cultural mentor Samoan Talking High Chief Taitu’uga Kitch Wesche. COE Students have spent three sessions working in groups to write and record their own original songs with Taitu’uga – we can’t wait to hear the final mix!

Well done COE students!

Combined Choir Performance October 14 For Mental Health Week

The Combined Choir will be performing on our school assemblies in Week 2 next term, for Mental Health week, in recognition of the positive impact of Music on our mental health and wellbeing. The Choir will perform “Where we begin” (from 2022 Together Sing for Mental Health) on the Junior Assembly, and “One Song” (from 2018 Music Count Us In) on the Senior Assembly. Parents and supporters are invited to come along and watch the performances.

Date Claimer – Instrumental Music 2023 Parent Information Session

We will be holding a Parent Information Session for parents of our current Year 2 and 3 students who are interested in applying to be a part of our Instrumental Music Program for 2023. Year 2 students can apply for our Strings program (Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass) and Year 3 can apply for our Band Program (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Guitar and Percussion). There will also be an opportunity to meet our Instrumental Music teachers, Stephanie Williams (Strings) and Craig Alloway (Band).

The Parent Information Session will be held in the Music Room (M Block) 3.30 – 4.00pm on Monday 10th October. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like further information about applying for the Instrumental Music Program please email Mrs Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au

Date Claimer - Music COE Program (Year 4 2023) Parent Information Session

We will be holding a Parent Information Session for parents of our current Year 3 students who are interested in applying to be a part of our Music Centre of Excellence (COE) Program for Year 4 and beyond. Music COE is an additional opportunity for students who will be studying in our Instrumental Music program – the selected students receive extra extension in Classroom Music, with additional excursions, incursions and workshops, advanced performance opportunities and the opportunity to compose music using iPad technology.

The Parent Information Session will be held in the Music Room (M Block) 4.00 – 4.30pm on Monday 10th October (directly after the Instrumental Music session for parents). If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like further information about applying for the Music COE please email Mrs Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au

Alison Murray
Music Coordinator

News from the Guidance Officer

Holidays can be challenging. Without the daily routine that going to school provides young people, it can be easy to get into unhealthy habits. This can leave some feeling anxious, bored, unsupported and upset so it’s important to encourage your children to stay healthy and maintain healthy habits.

Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

Eat Well – having a good balanced diet with less junk food and sugar and more good things such as vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and water. This helps with sleep, energy levels and general health and wellbeing.

Sleep Well – getting a good night’s sleep helps you feel energised, focused and motivated. Developing a sleeping routine by waking up around the same time each day, getting out of bed when you wake up and going to bed around the same time each night will work wonders.

Be Socially Active and Get Involved – Social relationships are important for your general wellbeing. Spend time with friends to keep and build on existing friendships. Hobbies, clubs, sports etc. can help you feel connected to your wider community while also meeting new people.

Play – Play is important for staying mentally healthy. Devoting time to having fun can recharge your battery, revitalise your social networks and reduce stress and anxiety.

Staying Safe Online

Many young people’s internet usage and time spent on devices will inevitably increase over the holiday period. It’s important to ensure you and your family have safer and more positive experiences online during this time.

The Australian Government’s eSafety Commissioner website provides parents with advice on how to keep their children safe online. Visit at the link below for more -

Sean Atiifale
Guidance Officer

P&C News

Free Community Movie Night - 14th of October

School Disco – 18th November

General Meetings

The next General Meeting will be held on Friday 7th October 2022 at 3.15pm in the School Staff Room (Resource Centre).

Kelly
P & C President

Uniform Shop

Click the link below to be taken to The School Locker Website

Tuckshop

Frankie’s Tuckerbox

The Tuckshop is open Monday - Friday and offers a range of healthy choice options. Please click here for the 2022 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

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

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