18 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

Dear Parents,

As a long-time resident of Coolum Beach, it is with great pleasure I join the Coolum State High School community. Having worked in schools across Queensland in many different areas and demographics, it is very exciting to be able to contribute to this, an area I’ve had strong ties to for many years, in such a positive role as your Principal.

I have so far found Coolum State High School to be filled with wonderful students and very dedicated staff who are determined to see every student succeed. There is so much here of which we can be proud! I have no doubt that the future of Coolum State High School is very bright and extremely positive.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank three very significant people to the growth of Coolum State High School.

Firstly, Mr Chris Dench who returns to his role as Principal of the excellent Kilcoy State High School. Chris’s ability to step into a transitionary position as Principal for two terms is commendable, a role made possible with the help of Coolum’s skilled and proficient staff. Mr Dench’s constructive impact on Coolum State High School has been very beneficial over the past two terms and will be into the future.

I would also like to pay tribute to Robyn Burton-Ree who worked tirelessly to see Coolum State High School succeed as both Deputy Principal and Acting Principal. Robyn poured tremendous energy and skill into Coolum State High School and we are all much better off for Robyn’s commitment to our wonderful school. As a result of Robyn’s abilities, she was able to win a permanent Principal role and further her leadership journey at Wellington Point State High School!

Finally, I would like to pay a special tribute to the previous substantive Principal of Coolum State High School, Lee Goossens. Lee is a man of tremendous integrity who has left a major legacy at Coolum State High School. Lee poured tremendous passion into our school and laid a tremendous platform from which we can all build. Thank you, Lee, for the wonderful legacy you have left for all of us!

It is clear that Coolum State High School is full of dedicated teachers and talented students backed by a supportive parent body, all of whom I cannot wait to get to know better and work cohesively with over the next term and beyond. As such, how the mechanics of Coolum State High School work together and why such policies and procedures exist will be my focus for Term 4. To better understand how Coolum State High School works and how we might develop a plan for its vibrant future, I have engaged esteemed educator and consultant Ken Rogers. Ken will be surveying a broad cross section of our school community, and hosting a range of conversations to create a report which can be used as a basis for our future planning.

As we move further into Term 4, ensuring our Year 12 cohort finishes off their schooling to the best of their ability, whilst consolidating the learning for the rest of the student body will also be at the forefront of what is traditionally a very busy term.

Coolum State High School has a strong sporting and academic tradition along with many great programs aimed at allowing students to achieve success and realise their goals. The values prescribed by the school of Care, Respect and Excellence are also core aspects of my own educational beliefs. I am passionate about helping our young people become the best version of themselves and am very excited to learn how Coolum SHS has also put this into action.

I look forward to meeting each and every student, staff member and parent contributing to what is a fantastic schooling community

Troy Ascott
Principal

Senior Secondary News

Year 12

The Senior School started off Term 4 with Year 12 students sitting for their final Year Level Photo. It was a great to see all of our Year 12 students in their formal uniform.

For our graduating year level, Term 4 is the culmination of their schooling. It is vital that all Year 12 keep their attendance and effort up for these final weeks. Over the next five weeks they have their final pieces of assessment due for each subject. This is their last chance to ensure that their best effort is exhibited to enable them to achieve their goals and destination that they have been striving for.

Year 12 students have been instructed to check their results and addresses through their Student Connect account, as the school does not send any Term 4 Report Cards out to Year 12 students. It is vital that the address in this account is correct as this is where their Senior results will be sent to. Please check with your student they have checked their account and that their details are correct. The following link will take you to the website.

Exam Block

Year 11 and Year 10 students are working towards their final exams for the year, which will take place in Week 8. This year our Year 10 students we included in this Exam Block, to prepare them for Year 11 and the expectations that come with this.

Subject Selection

There have been enquiries regarding subject selections and changes for 2018. In Week 9 of Term 4, after reporting is complete, students in Year 10 and Year 11 will be able to book an interview, in which they will be able to change their subject choices. This will ensure all students start 2018 in their correct subjects.

Student Report Cards

Term 3, Student Progress Reports were emailed home at the end of Week 1. Please engage and discuss with your student their results. It is important for Year 11 and 12 students that they pass their end of semester exams to enable them to bank their subject points in order to gain their QCE.

It was fantastic to see many of our Year 10 students being awarded on Parade for improving their attendance and Report Card results from Term 1. Well done Year 10!

For parents interested in learning more about a QCE please click on the link below to access more information.

We are in the final stages of selecting our 2018 Student Leaders. Congratulations to all of our students who have applied and interviewed for our leadership positions within the school. Our new leaders will be announced at Awards Night which will be held on Wednesday 25 October 2017 at the Coolum State School Hall. This is a great way to acknowledge of all our students who have strived over the past year for outstanding results.

Important Dates for Senior School

Week 4 – Wednesday 25 October 2017 - Awards Night
Week 6 – Year 12 Exam Block
Week 7 – Final week for Year 12, including The Celebration Evening and Graduating Clap out Ceremony
Week 8 – Year 10 and 11 Exam Block. Final Day of School for both of these year levels is Friday 24 November 2017
Week 10 – Interviews for Year 10 and Year 11 students regarding performance and subjects for 2018

Julie Weber
Deputy Principal Senior Schooling

Junior Secondary News

Effort brings Achievement

From reviewing the Junior Secondary report card data, I have discussed with Years 7-9 students that their Effort results are a focus for this term. Our school has a target of 95% or better for all Effort and Behaviour results (satisfactory or better). Our Junior Secondary students are close to this target, but just a little bit under.

Our mindset at school is that achievement results are attained when we put in the required work and effort to get there. It doesn’t matter whether it is through sport, music, your job or your school work – the principle of achievement through effort and persistence is the same.

In these first two weeks of this term, I have challenged the Junior Secondary students to reflect on their report card results and set an Effort goal to achieve in each subject by the end of this year. Some goals will be around maintaining already excellent effort, others will have a strong focus on improvement. The next part of the process is for students to then put small steps in place that will help them reach those goals over these last 6-7 weeks.

Please ask your children what goals they have for their Effort results this term, and what they are actually going to do to achieve these.

2018 Subject allocations

Thanks to all students and families who completed the online subject preferences last term. We are now in the phase of reviewing the over 5000 individual pieces of subject data and working this in to our timetable structure. Once this process is completed, students will be informed of their 2018 subject allocations. This will most likely be in the second half of this term.

QParents

Are you using QParents yet? This is a great app where parents can see report cards and attendance information, scheduled school events, pay invoices and make changes to personal details, among other things. It is a far more convenient way for you to communicate with the school – I encourage all parents to register and begin using this app.

Bike Safety

The school is receiving reports of some students riding their bikes unsafely to and from school. This is particularly evident for our growing student population coming across from Peregian Springs. Students have been reminded to ride safely and follow the road rules and to keep clear of footpaths and pedestrian traffic – there have been reports of dangerous riding and close calls with young families who are rightly using the footpaths. If your child rides to school, please reinforce the expectation of doing so safely and with respect for other road users and pedestrians in their neighbourhood.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Schooling

Business Services News

2018 School Fees

We have started the fee collection process for the 2018 Student Resource Scheme (SRS) and we will be invoicing for subject selections in the coming weeks. If you have not received the SRS 2018 Participation Agreement Form please contact the School Administration Office on 07 5471 5333.

Outstanding School Fees

Term 4 is a crucial time for all payments to be made, particularly if your child is to participate in end of year extra-curricular activities such as the Year 12 Celebration Evening. Having outstanding fees may impact on your child’s ability to participate in such activities. Please contact the school office immediately to ensure you are up to date with your payments. We don’t want your child to miss out, so don’t hesitate to discuss your financial options with me.

Before a student can be considered for participation in an optional school activity, a parent is expected to have:

• fully paid all outstanding fees or
• paid the Student Resource Scheme and other outstanding fees up to and including the term in which the school activity takes place or
• made regular on-going payments towards these fees, as previously arranged with the Principal or Business Manager
• been exempted by the Principal from paying all or part of these fees

I remind you that BPOINT is now available for direct debits into the school bank account, please call the School Administration Office to find out how to set this up. It’s very easy to do and takes only a couple of minutes to set up. I encourage all families to take up this new option.

Facilities

We had a number of maintenance works completed during the last holidays including whole school gutter cleaning, pathways cleaned, end of term clean of classrooms and pest works.

Construction is continuing on the two-storey building and we are all very excited to see it completed. It will be an innovative space for our students and staff to have. At this stage, the new building expected completion date is mid-December, I will keep you updated accordingly.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

English

Hello, and welcome to back to Term 4. This term is a very exciting one for our senior students, but it is also very important for all students to remain focused until the end.

This term, our Year 12 English and English Communication students have one piece of assessment due, which will occur in Week Six. It is a reflective piece of writing in response to a text of their choice.

Year 11 English students have a persuasive essay written under exam conditions to complete in Week 3 and a spoken multi-modal presentation due in the Exam Block in Week 8.

Year 11 English Communication students will submit their novel assessment in Week 3, before embarking on their employment unit. This will provide the students with the opportunity to submit a written employment folio and also complete an interview with an outside training provider. This enables students to practice and receive valuable feedback on their interview skills.

Year 10 English students will complete a folio of activities, which will be due in Week 5, before completing an analytical essay under exam conditions at the end of the term.

Year 9 English students are either studying a novel, or a play. If they are studying a novel, they will complete an analytical essay in Week 6 and a monologue in Week 8. Those studying the play will complete a written script in Week 6 and a persuasive spoken task in Week 8.

Year 8 English students will complete an online blog in Week 5 and a spoken persuasive in Week 8.

Year 7 English students are completing a written memoir in Week 5 and a spoken multi-modal presentation in Week 8.

As always, students are provided with due dates for their drafts and their final copies. We highly encourage all students to complete their drafts in order to receive valuable feedback from their teacher.

If there you have any concerns or would like to discuss anything further, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s English teacher by phoning the Administration Office on 5471 5333.

We wish all students great success in their last term of 2017.

Kath Weston
Head of Department

Mathematics

ICAS

In Term 3, students were given the opportunity to self-nominate for the UNSW 2017 ICAS Mathematics Competition.

The following students all ranked in the top 10% of students completing the test Australia wide and will receive Distinction certificates:

Year 7 – Grace Madden, Joel Foote
Year 8 – Kai Lister
Year 11 – Harrison Daniels

In addition, 18 other students received Credit certificates placing them in the top 35% of competing students. These students will be recognised on year level parade and their success celebrated with their peers.

PATm Results

Students in Years 7-9 completed Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) for Mathematics in Term 1 and Term 3. These tests allow us to track the growth of students across the year and through their junior schooling. Results can be compared to the expected results for students of the same age group and allow teachers to analyse the effectiveness of teaching strategies. Parents can discuss their child’s PATm progress by making contact with their maths teacher.

Dean Hose
Head of Department

Science

Looking ahead – Term 4

Term 4 has begun, Report Cards are out and we are preparing for a number of major upcoming events - Year 12 students graduating, Year 10 students entering the next senior secondary phase, Year 6 students transiting into Year 7 and staff getting prepared for the new senior syllabi starting in 2019.

In 2018 we will be proactively preparing Year 10 students for the Senior Sciences in 2019 by undertaking preparatory classes to enhance and sharpen their skills within these particular disciplines (i.e. Physics/Chemistry and Biology).

Term 4 Highlights

• Year 8 Science students building a hydraulic hand with a goal of also designing a robotic hand for 2018.
• Year 11 Biology students undertaking an Extended Experimental Investigation based around Agriculture, Plant Biology. A big thank you to Maurice Schiavon, from Rijk Zwaan Australia Pty. Ltd. for their ongoing generous donation of plants.

Year 11 students Extended Experimental Investigation – Plant Biology

Tutorials

Reminder to Junior Students and Carers that we have Maths & Science Tutorials in S1 every Wednesday from 3:00pm - 4:00pm. Senior Students also have Tutorials in the Library on Wednesday afternoon where Science teachers will be available for support. It has been great to see more and more students coming every week to work in this conducive environment with a group of fantastic teachers from all curriculum areas. Don’t forget - Robotics club is held every Thursday in S1 at Morning tea, all students are welcome.

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at school on 5471 5333 or by email polse3@eq.edu.au.

Paul Olsen
Head of Department

Health and Physical Education

All Schools Touch Football Tournament

The annual Queensland All Schools Touch Football Tournament was held on Wednesday 4 October to Sunday the 8 October 2017.

This particular competition has over 150 schools Queensland wide with the addition of interstate and some international school also competing. This is the largest School Touch football tournament in the world.

Coolum State High School had an 18 mixed team in the competition that included 11 students from Grades 9-12. Although the division was 18yrs, students from our school in younger year levels stepped up to play against the Year 12 students. These very talented students represented the school extremely well, showing determination and true sportsman/womanship.

The team has been working together from the beginning of the year playing in a local Touch Football competition on a Thursday night, where they came runners up in the Mixed A Division in Season 1. They have since been graded again into Division A for Season 2.

The Coolum State High School team walked away from the All Schools Touch Football Competition with a greater appreciation for the game of Touch Football, a closer bond with one another and a respect for realising how hard work does pay off. A massive congratulations to all team members and to the teachers who assisted with their success.

Students

Year 12 - Ariana Toby, Connor Croft, Kai Croft, Tyla Grant, Josh Duncan, Nick Price
Year 11 – Phontain Ririnui, Doykota Sayer
Year 10 – Ella West
Year 9 – Lottie Hayes, Johanna Brehens

Teachers

Miss Courtney Goodacre, Mr Luke Fainges, Mr Dean Whitson

Coolum State High School Touch Football Team along supporting teachers, Miss Courtney Goodacre, Mr Luke Fainges and Mr Dean Whitson

Luke Fainges
Health and Physical Education Teacher

Vocational Education and Training

Industry Reference Group Breakfast

Term 4 is off to a great start for Vocational Education and Training (VET) at Coolum State High School. On Thursday 12 October, we hosted another well attended Industry Reference Group Breakfast. These events are a great opportunity for representatives from a range of industries within the community to engage with what is happening here at Coolum State High School. Mr Peter Pallot, CEO of the Sunshine Coast Airport was one of our keynote speakers at the event. Peter gave a very informative presentation around the growth of the Sunshine Coast Airport due to the current expansion and its future direction. There are sure to be many opportunities for our school community to engage with our local airport into the future.

Mr Peter Pallot pictured with Principal, Mr Troy Ascott, and students Mika, Zac and Tiaan.

Our Industry Reference Group seeks to maintain and expand mutually beneficial relationships between the school, industry and the community to provide rich, relevant and rewarding learning opportunities for all stakeholders. If you are involved in a business within our local community or know someone who would be beneficial to our Industry Reference Group, I would love to hear from you.

Through having strong community partnerships, we can support students to move into a progressive pathway of further education, training or employment.

GenR8 and AllevE8 program

There is still time for current Year 11 students to enrol in the 2018 GenR8 and AllevE8 program which enables them to:

• Receive up to 6 QCE Credits
• Receive a nationally recognised Certificate II Qualification in either Health Support Services or Logistics
• Attend 20 days of structured work experience with a quality employer
• The best and longest job interview a student can ever have

Want to know more?

• Contact Maria Blackburn (mblac127@eq.edu.au) or Patrick Walden (pwald9@eq.edu.au)

School Based Traineeships

2017 is coming to an end and the Year 12 students who have been involved in School Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships will now have completed their qualifications and will hopefully go on to a full time or part time work in their chosen field. We wish these students success.

Congratulations to Year 11 student, Lacei Dredge who has been successful in obtaining a Certificate III in Business, a School Based Traineeship with James Hardie Systems.

We are continuing to maximise the number of School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeship opportunities (SAT) available to our students due to our expanding links with industry. Under a SAT arrangement, a senior school student is released from school time to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship in their chosen field. Current opportunities will be advertised in each addition of our e-newsletter

Available School Based Traineeships

These traineeships would commence this year and continue into 2018 and are available to Year 10, 11 and 12 students

• Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, School Based Traineeship – 2 positions available
• Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at The laughing Lobster in Marcoola – 2 positions available
• Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship
• Certificate III in Business, School Based Traineeship at a Medical Centre in Maroochydore
• Certificate III School Based Apprenticeship in Hairdressing

Employment positions available

• Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop in Noosa
• Sunshine Solar Electrics in Coolum are looking for a 2017 school leaver wanting part time employment with the opportunity of becoming an Electrical Apprentice in 2018.

If your student is interested in any of the above positions or in undertaking a SAT as part of their pathway, please encourage them to speak with either Maria Blackburn (SAT Liaison Officer) or myself in the Technology staffroom to discuss the process and register interest.

Please contact me on pwald9@eq.edu.au or 5471 5333 to discuss matters relating to VET within the school.

Patrick Walden
Head of Department

School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Student Profile

International Student News

At the end of last term we congratulated and said “goodbye” to three students from Italy. Matteo, Matilde and Elda, completed their studies with us and went back home, we will miss them.

This term we welcomed Leon, a new international student from Chile. Leon will be studying in Year 9 this term and joins the 24 international students studying at Coolum State High School in Years 9-11. The International students we currently have enrolled are from Chile, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Brazil, Japan and Italy.

During the recent school holidays, students travelled to the many tourist attractions in Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island. All were amazed at the natural beauty and uniqueness of our country. There were some students who also celebrated their birthdays here in Australia - a truly special moment to treasure.

Congratulations to the international students who have excelled academically last term and will be recognised in the upcoming Awards Night. This is a huge achievement, given that English is their second language.

We also thank our Home Stay families and parents for providing additional support to the students and helping them to feel welcome during their stays. The International Student Program, ISP, offers our students, families and community an opportunity for cultural exchange with students from other countries and develops global connections and friendships.

Our Homestay families are always excited to host international students and walk them through their journey of living the Australian way of life. For more information regarding the homestay experience, please contact me on 5471 5333 or 0418 185 809.

Terri Shine
Homestay Coordinator

Health Matters

Welcome to Term 4

With final assessments coming up for our students, recognising stress and how it can affect our physical and mental health is important. Stress affects us all in very different ways, recognise your own signs and symptoms of stress and ways to help alleviate and deal with stress. Reach out and Beyond Blue have some great information in coping and recognising stress.

Useful Resources

Tough Love for Parents

Tough Love for Parents is a self-help program for families troubled by unacceptable adolescent behaviour. A network of parents support each other, the program has been helping to bring positive change to the lives of young people and families for over 30 years.

Reachout

Reachout.com for Parents is a free online resource for parents and caregivers of young people between the age of twelve and eighteen. The site provides evidence-based practical information on supporting teenagers and addresses a range of mental health and wellbeing issues.

Reachout.com for Parents you will find: fact sheets, stories, videos from child psychologists, practical tips and tools. A range of topics, issues and experiences relevant to young people are discussed. Topics include: stress and teenagers, peer pressure, bullying, cyber-bullying, alcohol use and teenagers, technology use, as well as information on how best to support young people experiencing mental health concerns including depression and anxiety.

Headspace

Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drug services.

Information and services for young people, their families and friends as well as health professionals can be accessed through this website, headspace centres, online counselling service eheadspace, the Digital Work and Study Service and postvention suicide support program headspace School Support.

Bek Sayers
School Based Youth Health Nurse

Star Achiever

Students Name: Holly Campbell
Year Level: 11
Subjects: Maths B, English, Biology, Outdoor Rec, Studies of Society
Career Goals: Join Army 2019

Pathway:

I am currently studying Year 11 at Coolum State High School and have always wanted to join the Army since I was in Year 5. I am yet to narrow it down as to what I want to do but am considering being a Driver Specialist, Combat Engineer or Medical Technician.

To help achieve my goal I have been involved in the Army Cadets at Yandina, 9RAR for the past year and I now hold the rank of Platoon Sergeant, HQ.

During the September School Holidays, I was involved in an annual camp held at Greenbank Army Camp, Gold Coast Hinterland, and the Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane.

At Greenbank I was involved in a number of activities, including a 3 day field phase, an obstacle course and even got to sleep in a Hoochie for seven nights. A Hoochie is military slang for an individual plastic sheeting used for shelter in the field.

During the camp I also visited the Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane for two days. Here I had the opportunity to look at the Armoured Cavalry, Bush Masters, attend a recruiting presentation, be involved in weapons training and visited the Night Vision Training Centre.

I have also had the opportunity to partake in two work experience programs. The first was for three days, in September 2016 and the second was September 2017. I was placed at the Enoggera Army barracks for both of these. It was an awesome experience as I gained a greater understanding of the workings of the units, including how they train and I tried army food, which was a highlight as it was quite nice! I also got to stay in the Barracks with 19 other work experience participants.

I have had a great time being involved in so much with the Cadets, if this sounds like something that interests you, please contact:

9RAR Yandina Army Cadets Contact: