15 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

Dear Parents,

Coolum State High School has certainly been shining brightly over the past few months, with Term 4 a wonderful time of celebration and reflection. After almost an entire year of hard work and dedication to learning, this is the time to recognise and congratulate those students who have reached excellence.

Our awards ceremonies have been a terrific way to showcase the talented, conscientious and determined young people filling the classrooms of Coolum State High School. In particular, the Awards Ceremony was fantastic in acknowledging the outstanding ways in which our students are succeeding. I’d like to congratulate all of our award winners and in particular our 2017 School Dux, Tiaan Prinsloo. Recognising students like Tiaan is a very important way of not only celebrating his incredible achievements and commitment to his studies throughout year, but as a way of highlighting to every student the excellent role models walking amongst them. It’s also important to recognise that his success did not come about by luck or astonishing natural talent alone, but through the shaping of goals at the beginning of the year and an in-built expectation that every lesson and every assessment piece counts. Well done Tiaan!

And whilst most of our students are beginning to wrap up their assessments for the year and casting their minds forward to the six weeks of holidays before them, plans for several improvement projects to Coolum State High School are being put into action. Taking our rightful place amongst the great schools of the Sunshine Coast means taking care of and having pride in our campus. These improvements will not only make our campus a much safer place to work and learn, but will set the tone for 2018 with a fresh and invigorating start for what will be an exceptional year for a fantastic school. The works include:

• The finalisation of our new classroom building with 8 state of the art classrooms set to be opened
• The repainting and revitalisation of our outdoor tennis and basketball courts
• Major refurbishments to our buildings and grounds including repainting of buildings and significant landscaping projects
• A variety of new outdoor seating areas and options for students
• New furniture to complement our new buildings and classrooms

2018 will no doubt start as a new and fresh year for Coolum State High School with a revitalised look and high expectations. It will be a great time to be part of our school community.

Finally, to the Year 12’s who are currently undergoing some wonderful rites of passage as their days of being high school students officially come to an end: you too are role models. The students of Coolum State High School have been observing your growing maturity and the responsibilities you have gradually taken on, ready to step a little closer to filling your, by now, adult sized shoes. Well done on completing thirteen years of schooling, good luck and stay safe!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Senior Secondary News

Year 12 Legacy Gift

Following Coolum State High School Tradition, Year 12 student leaders presented the incoming 2018 student leaders with their legacy gift on Monday at full school parade.

This year the Year 12 cohort, with the help of Ms Venning, Mrs Kryger and Mr Bloomfield, have upcycled and decorated a fantastic wooden table with the school eagle along with each Year 12 student’s name embossed. A very special and beautiful tribute which will be cherished forever as a practical gift for the student body.

Outgoing Student leaders presenting their gift to some of the incoming student leaders

Farewell to our Year 12 Students

This week marks the last week of schooling for our Year 12 cohort. This is a very exciting, emotional and bittersweet time for most of them. I have thoroughly enjoyed working in my role as Deputy Principal at Coolum State High School, in particular working with our senior cohort, every one of them with the potential to be a positive and successful member of society.

The final week for Year 12 students involves celebration ceremonies and evenings along with an array of educational sessions, including guest speakers from the Queensland Police Service, PBF Australia and Guidance Officers.

Images and memories from the Celebration Evening, Clap Out Ceremony and final week of school will be shared in the next Newsletter, distributed on Wednesday 29 November 2017.

As they prepare to leave our gates on their way forward, I am interested in hearing about their successful and sometimes scary journey outside the safety of our school gates, after all it has been their home for the past 5 years.

A huge thank you must go to Alison Venning, Head of Year 12 who has not only been a major support to our Year 12 cohort but has also been working hard behind the scenes to ensure the Celebration Evening and final send off for the students is nothing but perfect.

Thank you to the staff of Coolum State High School who have invested time, effort and support in each and every one of these students.

Congratulations and well done to parents and caregivers for supporting and guiding your children over their last 12 years of schooling.

Finally, Congratulations to the Class of 2017. I hope you take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go!

Coolum State High School Class of 2017

Year 10 and 11 Students

Year 10 and 11 students are currently working hard on their final pieces of Assessment for 2017 and will be sitting exams during the Assessment block in Week 8 – Monday 20 November 2017. Individual Assessment Block Timetables were recently distributed to students and if they require another copy they can access this via their One School Learning Account.

This will be the first time Year 10 students have participated in an Assessment Block and is great way to prepare them for 2018.

The final school day for Year 10 and 11 students will be Friday 24 November 2017, attendance is expected every day up until this date.

All Year 10 and 11 students who need to change subjects or no longer meet prerequisites for subjects selected at SETPlanning interviews will be able to book an appointment in Week 10. For Year 11 students who need to change subjects, you will also require an interview. Please read your emails for PTO booking information.

Julie Weber
Deputy Principal Senior Schooling

Junior Secondary News

Firstly, I would like to pass on my best wishes to the graduating Year 12 Class of 2017. This week is a culmination of their schooling at Coolum State High School and I hope that the students enjoy this special time. I look forward to seeing them at the Celebration Dinner and recognising the cohort at the Graduation Clap Out Ceremony on Friday.

For the rest of the school, it is a very busy and important time of the year. These remaining few weeks are the last opportunities for students to make those final efforts to improve on their results. The end of year report cards are an important juncture for all students as they complete 2017 and look towards 2018. Students are expected to continue their hard work in class and being organised with their assessment to set themselves up for success.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Schooling

Business Services News

Thank you to the families that have returned the Student Resource Scheme (SRS) form for 2018. If you have not received one please contact the school office immediately. The SRS funds go directly to classroom resources and helps us provide quality teaching and learning items for your child’s learning. Parent SRS participation is very important for your child and to the school, so we appreciate the ongoing support we have from the parent community for this scheme.

Last week we emailed home the Statement of Account which details the amount outstanding on your child’s account. If a negative amount appears on your statement, it is because we’ve made an adjustment to your account or you are in credit, no payment is required. If you have an amount outstanding please make payment as soon as possible. We have also recently invoiced the year 10 subject selections so they should also appear on your Statement.

We don’t want your child to miss out, so don’t hesitate to discuss your financial options with me. And I remind you that BPOINT is now available for direct debits into the school bank account, call the office to find out how to set this up. Its very easy to do and takes only a couple of minutes to set up. I encourage all families to take up this new option.

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

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

P&C Association News

2018 Stationery Lists

The 2018 Stationery Lists are now available on our website.

To pre-order a stationery pack, please hand your completed form with correct money to the Uniform Shop during their business hours listed below. Your order form must be received no later than 6th December 2017.

Please download the order form from the relevant tab at:

Orders will be delivered to the school and available for collection from the Humanities block as per the times and dates mentioned on the stationery order form.

The Uniform Shop opening hours are:

Monday 7am – 2pm
Wednesday 8am – 3pm
Friday 7am – 2pm

Shar Dunn
P&C Treasurer

School Canteen

Mathematics

Students in Year 10 have been given the opportunity to have discussions with the Head of Mathematics regarding their Year 11 subject selection for 2018. Parents and students are encouraged to make contact now should they have concerns as 2018 classes are currently being finalised.  It is important that students are making informed decisions and choosing subjects that will allow them to have success and achieve the completion of the numeracy/point component of their QCE.

Students and teachers have been making the most of tutoring opportunities outside of class time as we head towards final exams. All students have access to Maths and Science teachers every Wednesday afternoon in the Library or S1 until 4pm.

Did you know? Economists once believed that people spent money in a rational way that squeezes the most value out of each cent. Mathematician Richard Thaler helped to change that hypothesis, and just earned a Nobel Prize for his efforts. You can read more about the ‘irrational’ mathematics behind of our spending habits using the link below.

Dean Hose
Head of Department

Science

This will be the last Newsletter for our Year 12’s of 2017 and on behalf of the Science Department; all the best for the future, it has been fun.

This week I want to talk about the importance of STEM education and our, Australia’s, Coolum State High Schools need to produce strong STEM students.

STEM education is a term used to refer collectively to the teaching of the disciplines within its umbrella – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – and also to a cross-disciplinary approach to teaching that increases student interest in STEM- related fields and improves students’ problem solving and critical analysis skills.

Over the next five years, employment is predicted to increase in professional, scientific and technical services by 14% and in health care by almost 20%. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has estimated that some STEM-related jobs, such as ICT professionals and engineers, have grown at about 1.5 times the rate of other jobs in recent years.

International research shows that building STEM capacity across the population is critical in helping to support innovation and productivity regardless of occupation or industry. Consistent with this research, industry surveys show that STEM literacy is increasingly becoming part of the core capabilities that Australian employers need. PricewaterhouseCoopers has estimated that changing 1% of Australia’s workforce into STEM-related roles would add $57.4 billion to GDP.

Yet Australian data shows that inequities currently exist in STEM. Girls, students from low socio-economic status backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student, and students from non-metropolitan areas can be less likely to engage with STEM education and therefore have a higher risk of not developing high capabilities in STEM-related skills. These groups are more likely to miss out on the opportunities STEM-related occupations can offer.

This combines with an overall trend away from higher level STEM subject choices and the failure to keep pace with the highest performing countries on international tests of maths and science.

A renewed national focus on STEM in school education is critical to ensuring that all young Australians are equipped with the necessary STEM skills and knowledge that they will need to succeed.

Things we (I.e. Students/Carers/Educators) need to do include;

• Increasing student STEM ability, engagement, participation and aspiration (involving students in opportunities in competitions, subject selection, University visits)

• Increasing teacher capacity and STEM teaching quality (teacher professional development) 

• Supporting STEM education opportunities within school systems (building capacity within school curriculum, CASE Lessons (7/8/9) Coding, Robotics, Drones, cross curriculum projects - NPDL etc.)
• Facilitating effective partnerships with tertiary education providers, business and industry (links USC/UQ/QUT/Royal Brisbane Hospital – Students - take the opportunities when it arises)
• Building a strong evidence base (taking data and analysing this and making good decisions on what works and what doesn’t)

Reference: National STEM School Education Strategy, 2016 – 2026

Tutorials

Reminder to Junior Students and Carers that we have Maths & Science Tutorials in S1 every Wednesday from 3-4pm. 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. Robotics club is also held every Thursday in S1 at Morning Tea, all welcome.

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at school on 54715333 or by email at polse3@eq.edu.au.

Paul Olsen
Head of Department

Health and Physical Education

Interschool Sport

We are into our third and final term of Interschool Sport for the year rounding out with the Year 9’s.

The teams have been working hard to gain a position in the finals to be held in a fortnight. Teams have versed St Theresa’s, Sunshine Beach, Burnside and Noosa District with a makeup round with Nambour due to be played next week. So far, the results look promising with most teams being highly competitive and taking out a few of the rounds.

Last term was our Year 7’s opportunity to be involved in Interschool sport. They had a successful term with our Year 7 girls Basketball team taking first place in the competition. This helped lead us to the title of Overall Champion School tying with Noosa District for the win. Below is a picture of our winning team proudly wearing their medallions.

Pictured are Jemima Bainbridge, Kiannah Bristow, Kiki Bloomfield, Cali Daw, Isabell Gribble, Indyah Court, Olivia Llewellyn & Bella Drew.

We wish our Year 9’s the best of luck for the upcoming rounds and finals and look forward to doing it all over again next year.

Christina Fiducioso
Sports Coordinator

Vocational Education and Training

It’s the time of year when we celebrate achievements. Several students were recognised for their achievements in Vocational Education and Training at our recent Awards Night. Congratulations to Brooke Anderson from Year 12 who was awarded Coolum State High School VET Student of the Year.

Throughout her senior schooling, Brooke has studied many VET courses including Certificate III in Early Childhood, Education and Care; Certificate III in Allied Health; Certificate II in Hospitality and Certificate II in Visual Arts.

These courses have required Brooke to develop and consistently display employability skills when undertaking work both in the classroom and during industry placements. Brooke has produced outstanding evidence to an industry standard in her work. Well done Brooke on your commitment to your courses over the past two years.

We also recognised Tess Evans from Year 12 for the completion of her Certificate II in Warehousing school-based traineeship at Reece Plumbing in Coolum as the recipient of BusyAtWork Trainee of the Year.

Available School Based Traineeships

Several of our latest School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SAT) opportunities are shown below. Students who are interested in undertaking a SAT as part of their pathway, should speak with either Maria Blackburn (SAT Liaison Officer) or myself in the Technology staffroom to discuss the process and register interest.

Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, School Based Traineeship – 3 positions available

Certificate III in Hospitality at Coolum State High School Canteen – 1 position available

Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at The Laughing Lobster in Marcoola – 2 positions available

Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at Pitchfork Restaurant in Peregian Beach – 2 positions available

Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at Noosa Aquatic Centre Poolside Café – 2 positions available

Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at Aromas in Noosa – 2 positions available

Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at Sumo Salad in Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore – 2 positions available

Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at Domino’s Pizza in Coolum – 2 positions available

Certificate III in Business, School Based Traineeship at The Surfboard Warehouse in Mooloolaba

Certificate III in Business, School Based Traineeship at Bunnings in Noosaville

Certificate III School Based Apprenticeship in Hairdressing

Employment positions available

Mumfords Lawyers in Mooloolaba are looking to recruit a Junior Receptionist/Legal Secretary

Bombay Bliss Indian Restaurant in Coolum

Dishwashers at The Coffee Club in Coolum

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, Mondays and Wednesdays) 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

New Pedagogies for Deep Learning

Building Capability Through Collaboration

Coolum State High School played host to over 270 teachers on Monday 16th October at the inaugural New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL) Working Together Professional Learning Day. Teachers from Coolum State High School, Sunshine Beach State High School, Nambour State College and Noosa District State High School gathered in a manner that has never been done before, certainly not on this scale. The key note address was given by North Coast Region Assistant Regional Director, Mary Coverdale, who set the tone of the day – a focus on creating a culture that values and supports the power of collaboration.

There was a diverse range of over 30 workshops for teachers to attend, depending on their current level of engagement in NPDL or their specific teaching area, all of which were run by teachers within our cluster schools. Teachers were enthusiastic to share their NPDL experiences with others and the participants found ways to connect current practice to plan for future deep learning opportunities. The positive feedback and continued conversations after the professional learning day was inspiring. Our cluster is certainly planning for the next collaborative day between our schools in 2018.

Coolum State High School has continued to shine on the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning stage at the Queensland NPDL 2017 Conference at The Novotel, Twin Waters. The two day conference had over 300 people in attendance from as far and wide as Canada, New Zealand, Victoria, and across South East Queensland schools. The Acknowledgement to Country was performed by Year 9 student, Creegan Geebung who was a wonderful representative of Coolum State High School.

Mrs Emma Curnow and Ms Rebecca McCann presented a workshop, ‘Effective Partnerships’ to showcase a multi-age English NPDL unit focused on developing two of the 6 competencies - collaboration and citizenship. Year 9 student, Tyler Mohr co-presented with his teachers to discuss the opportunities and challenges raised during the study. Tyler’s insight was welcomed by the 40 strong audience who were curious to see how student voice was incorporated into the planning and delivery of the learning.

Continue to watch this space as we grow NPDL across the school and wider community.

Emma Curnow
NPDL Teacher

Chatty Chappy

Focus on Teenagers

One of the biggest challenges I hear from parents is the feeling that their teenager is pulling away and distancing themselves from them. While this is part of them becoming their own person it can be extremely hard for parents. So what can you do to foster and encourage a relationship with your teen?

Actively listen

Teens appreciate being listened to and understood. Most of the time they won’t be wanting your advice. Instead help them discover their own path. Understand what they are saying and thinking, even if you don’t agree. They will use comments to catch you off guard but try not to react. Ask non-judgmental questions to go deeper into their comments. Be very aware of your tone. If you get angry, judgmental or critical then they are very likely to just tune out and withdraw even more.

Talk about yourself

Many parents don’t discuss their own thoughts, concerns or problems with their children. Your teenager watches the world around them so model how to have good relationships, deal with challenges, resolve conflict, problem solve etc. Be open with them and let them see how you do life.

Have fun

Find activities you both enjoy and do them lots. Make time in the business of life to do activities with your teen. You will be surprised by the conversations you get to have with them while having fun. I have a pool table at school and 90% of my deep conversations are over a game of pool. If you have multiple kids, then have one-on-one time to offset sibling rivalry.

Positively encourage them

Sincere positive praise, compliments and commendations will go a long way to reinforcing your relationship with your teen. Your positive reinforcement should be five times greater than your negative comments. Give feedback on what they did right or well rather than just on how wonderful they are. Even if your teen has pulled away from you and is being challenging, try to focus on and encourage their positive behaviour, attitudes and actions. In saying this though it does not mean having an absence of consequences for bad behaviour.

It’s not easy to put these in action but with some effort and work you can enjoy the teenage years.

Mark Horsfall
Chaplain

Japanese News

Toko-Ton Taiko Drumming recently visited Coolum State High School to immerse our Japanese Language students from Years 7-10 in a drumming session. The students and teachers involved all had a fantastic time and gave a mini demonstration playing their own drum!

Shon Evans
Japanese Language Teacher

Christmas Hampers

Star Achiever