29 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

What a rollercoaster of emotions Coolum State High School students, staff and parents have experienced over the past month! With pride and sadness our parents and staff farewelled the graduating Year 12s of 2017. Our Year 11 and 10 cohorts have sighed with relief that exams are over and felt the first pangs of anticipation as they approach the responsibilities of life as seniors of Coolum State High School, whilst the junior students also look forward to their roles in the next year level up. The building and improvement works have created some mess and interruption to our routines on campus, but the end result will be greatly beneficial to both staff and students. Our teachers and staff have been extremely busy with the end of year marking and reports which signal the final push in yet another incredibly rewarding year of education. Yes, it’s been a tumultuous ride, but overall an overwhelmingly positive one.

At the beginning of Term 4 I made clear my intentions of giving Coolum State High School and all who work and learn here, the opportunity to have the best possible experiences. This exciting push for excellence has begun with teachers and staff, in response to overwhelming student demand, designing five Academy programs to be launched in 2018. These programs have been constructed to intensify student learning outcomes in each area, as well as giving them the attributes to improve and extend themselves in every subject studied at Coolum State High School. In 2018, the Academy programs will encompass:

• Instrumental music
• Surfing
• Touch football
• Basketball
• Cheerleading

This is an exciting time for Coolum State High School teachers and students, and will prove an outstanding opportunity for everyone involved. More information can be found by following this link:

There is so much to be proud of here, but there are also areas in which we will be aiming to improve in 2018. All parents will by now have been made aware of the clear expectations each and every Coolum State High School student will need to undertake in 2018 in regards to uniform requirements. These strong standards and high expectations are not meant to stifle student abilities or creativity, but rather to lead to better educational outcomes. A uniform which is worn consistently and well across the entire student cohort promotes a sense of belonging, lessens anxiety and increases confidence. In creating a school community where excellence in everything we do is strived for including uniform expectations, we allow all students to feel safe, supported and encouraged in a culture of belonging and respect. This has been shown to improve student performance and outcomes, placing them in a much more favourable position post-school.

I’d like to remind parents and students of the following changes to next year’s uniform policy:

• All students will be required to wear black, leather, lace-up shoes below the ankle.
• All girls will be required to wear the new formal skirt that is at or below the knee with the formal uniform or the new shorts option.
• All students will be required to wear their formal uniform on assembly days (Mondays for the beginning of 2018).

The wonderful celebrations I’ve been a part of and the incredibly bright and talented students filling our classrooms hold so much potential for our future and together, we are ready to take our rightful place amongst the best schools on the coast. I would like to wish each and every student, parent, teacher, staff and community member a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all in 2018 refreshed and rejuvenated.

Troy Ascott
Principal

Senior Secondary News

Although the school year is over for our Years 10 - 12, it has been a hectic and busy few weeks. We sadly said farewell to our Graduating Year 12 at their graduation ceremony at school. It was fantastic to see all of our parents here to celebrate this milestone event with their student.

Last week saw our Year 10 students enter their first exam block with our Year 11 students. This was a great opportunity for our Year 10 students to gain insight into what lies ahead next year and prepare them for the rigours of Year 11. It is important that our incoming Year 11 students understand that their Senior years start at the commencement of Year 11. They need to be working towards their end career goal right from day 1 of 2018.

Next week will see our report cards emailed home for our students. From these report cards, very important conversations and interviews will be held at the school on Monday 4 December and Tuesday 5 December. These interviews can be booked online through the PTO system. Instructions have been emailed home to all year 10 and 11 parents. These interviews are essential for any Year 10 student who wants to change their subjects for Year 11 that were made at the SETplan interviews or who have now made the prerequisites to do a subject. On the other hand, students who have not continued to make the prerequisites will be phoned for an interview to reselect their choices for next year. It is essential that these conversations occur to ensure that all our senior students are able to achieve their QCE and their career goal at the end of Year 12.

For our exiting Year 12 students, OP results will be released soon and some of our students have already received early entry into their university courses. Congratulations to all our students on their results and university offers.

Julie Weber
Deputy Principal Senior Schooling

Junior Secondary News

This week is a very important week for Years 7 - 9 students with the completion of assessment tasks and activities. It has been pleasing to see that students have been meeting expectations around getting all of their tasks completed on time and submitting some high quality work.

On Monday we welcomed our future Year 7s to our school with an orientation day. We have over 240 students enrolled for Year 7 next year and will be running 10 classes. This number sets another record for our school and is a sure sign of the growth of our school and the Coolum-Peregian community. Our school is determined to repay the trust placed in us by providing a first-class high school education in our community.

I would like to thank Bec McCann for all of her work this semester in running such excellent transition activities. I would also like to pass on my gratitude to the staff of Coolum State School and Peregian Springs State School for their ongoing efforts to support their students in the transition to high school. We are also welcoming many students from overseas, interstate, various parts of Queensland, and other nearby primary schools and colleges.

A reminder that students are expected to attend school every day up to and including Friday 8 December – every day counts. We have an important program of learning organised for Week 10 where students are able to do some of the fun, engaging and fulfilling activities that we don’t always get time to do in class throughout the year.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. I look forward to seeing students back at school in their full formal uniform when school resumes on Monday 22 January.

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. The SRS form must be returned to the school ASAP for your student to receive resources at the start of 2018. We don’t want your child to miss out, so don’t hesitate to discuss your financial options with me.

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. 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.

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

During the school holidays we have a very busy maintenance program of works, these include grounds maintenance, whole school painting program, tree removal, upgrade of seating and port racks and newly installed artificial turf in the junior secondary area.

We also look forward to the opening of our new building at the start of the school year next year. The Smart Futures Centre consists of 8 new classrooms, a staff room for the Maths department and a large collaborative meeting room plus some much needed storage space. The two-storey building is quickly taking shape and it is in the final stages of completion. It will be a welcome addition to our facilities as we continue to experience rapid enrolment growth over the coming years.

I am excited about the future of the school and providing your children with improved and new facilities. We are committed to high standards of excellence in all that we do from facilities to cleaning; to teacher aide support; and office management. We look forward to providing you with a first-class experience at Coolum State High School and I thank the school community for your ongoing support and wish you a safe and enjoyable summer break.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

P&C News

English

With 2017 almost at an end it is time to say thank you to all students, teachers and families for your support of our amazing English Department this year.

Congratulations to all Year 12 students on finishing your high school journey, we wish you all the best for your future. Special mention goes to our English subject award winner from Year 12, Kaelan Flynn and to our English Communication subject award winner, Ethan Forbes. Both students achieved excellent results this year for their respective subjects.

I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the teachers in our department for their tireless work throughout the year. A special mention goes to Ian Gilmore, who we are farewelling this year, as he has been transferred to Sunshine Beach State High School. Thank you Ian for your dedication and professionalism over the last eleven years – you will certainly be missed at Coolum State High School. Also, Pam Webster, who is retiring this year after many years of service to Education Queensland. We wish Pam all the best in her retirement!

Lastly, thank you to all our students and families this year for your hard work in completing class, assessment and home work. We congratulate all students for their efforts throughout the year.

Merry Christmas to all, have a safe and happy holiday and we look forward to welcoming you all back in 2018.

Kath Weston
Head of English

Christmas Hampers

Vocational Education and Training

Available School Based Traineeships

With the 2017 school year coming to an end for the Senior students, and these students having completed their school based traineeships, openings for these traineeships are available for students to apply for 2018.

Traineeships that are available to Senior students are advertised on the student notices and are emailed to all Senior students.

Listed below are the school based traineeships and employment on offer at present.

School based traineeships on offer at present

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 Surfair Beach Hotel

Certificate III in Hospitality, School Based Traineeship at Subway in Noosa and Noosa Civic – 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 a Medical Centre in Maroochydore

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 in School Based Apprenticeship in Hairdressing at Stefans Hairdressing

Certificate in Retail, School Based Apprenticeship at City Beach Australia

Employment positions available

• Mumfords Lawyers in Mooloolaba are looking to recruit a Junior Receptionist/Legal Secretary
• 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.
• Coolum Computers at 6/150 -160 Yandina Coolum Road, Coolum are looking for casual staff for Saturday mornings. Please call Dean on 0403 079 666 for further information.
• Coffee Club in Coolum are looking for dishwashing staff.
• Zone RV in Coolum Industrial Estate are looking for school leavers who are interested in learning the construction of caravans. Basic school wood work skills are an advantage. Reliable and keen students are to apply to Aaron Morris on 0427 708 664.
• Marcoola Pool and Spa at 944 David Low Way, Marcoola (near Subway) are looking for part time and casual staff. Enquiries to Phillip Nielsen on 5448 8988.
• The Noosa Tennis Academy is seeking the services of a motivated person to assist with reception duties, cleaning and shop maintenance to join our team. Shifts will be weekday afternoons and/or weekends. You must be mid teens, enthusiastic, possess good customer service skills, have a strong work ethic and require a degree of maturity to be considered. Please send your application to Dave at the Pro Shop - dave@noosatennisacademy.com.au
• Carters Transport in Coolum Industrial area, 243 Quanda Road Coolum are looking for a fulltime receptionist. This is a perfect position for a school leaver. Please call 5445 1572 for further information.

Students are welcome to come and see the Maria Blackburn VET Liaison Officer on Monday and Wednesday in the VET office for any assistance with applications.

Patrick Walden
Head of Department

Certificate 11 Engineering Pathways

The Design Technology faculty is excited about the refurbishment currently underway to support and enhance students completing Certificate 11 Engineering pathways. Completing this certificate at Coolum State High School could lead to a range of career opportunities in the manufacturing and engineering industry. This pre-apprenticeship is designed to give students an introduction to engineering or related working environment. The focus is on practical projects using engineering tools and equipment.

Two partners; Blue Dog Training, who have been meeting industries needs for more than ten years and Cordwells Concrete, who have been servicing the Sunshine Coast for over 55 years have kindly donated time, materials and expertise to support Coolum State High School students. Blue Dog Training have donated three tradespersons for two weeks to help design and construct the workshop with Cordwells Concrete donating concrete for a new grinder area.

Thank you to Blue Dog Training and Cordwells Concrete for your support to enhance student learning at Coolum State High School.

Wayne Batiste
Head of Technology Department

Farewell to Year 12

What an exhausting but wonderful week the Year 12 cohort has had recently!

As you read this, some of them will be relaxing at home and taking a well-earned break from studies. Others are straight back into the workforce, earning money over the holiday period before starting at TAFE or university next year. Yet another one is winging his way to Scotland for a very different end-of-school experience. Whatever they find themselves doing, it’s certain they won’t forget their last few days at Coolum State High School.

Week 7 saw our school captains Zak and Tess presenting the school with the Year 12 legacy item. Every year, the departing students leave something to be remembered by. This year we decided on a practical yet beautiful gift of a table. We were lucky that Mrs Lynda Kryger, our very talented Art teacher, designed the artwork. Depicting the Coolum State High School eagle with every students’ name forming the wind beneath his wings, this gorgeous piece of artwork was a challenge to then transfer to the table top. Enter Mr Robbie Bloomfield, our amazing Manual Arts teacher and woodworking specialist. It took a few of us to work out how best this could be approached but in the end, Robbie spent painstaking hours on perfecting the etching of each and every name. Many thanks to both Robbie and Lynda for the time spent on this beautiful piece. Coolum State High School will treasure it for many years to come.

The following day saw the cohort taking part in presentations from guest speakers, finalising their assessment pieces and saying their goodbyes to teachers and peers.

Tuesday evening, they converged on the Ramada Surf Air Resort where they sashayed down the red carpet, dressed in their elegant best. To say that the students looked amazing is an understatement. All of those professional hair, makeup and nails appointments certainly paid off. After enjoying welcome canapes, speeches and photos in the Spinnaker Room with their families, teachers and fellow students, the second part of the evening saw them in the Beach Ballroom. Here they enjoyed a meal with the cohort and teachers along with some special surprises – a wonderful highlights video of their time here at school and the cutting of the Celebration Cake. This cake was decorated by our very own Miss Olivia Murray and Mrs Lynda Kryger – and what a beautiful job they did! Thanks must go to both these ladies for their tireless efforts in making sure the cake was perfect. It capped off a wonderful evening, celebrating all of the achievements the students have gained this year.

Then on Friday, the students walked through the school gates for the very last time to attend their Graduation Ceremony and Clap Out. This is Coolum State High School’s formal ceremony for the graduating students where they received their Graduation Packs and the Subject Award winners were announced. Speeches from Mr Ascott our Principal, myself, outgoing and incoming school leaders and from Year 12 student Angie Sprokkereef set the tone of the morning. A final roll call of each Year 12 student completed the ceremony and they exited the school for the final time with the well wishes of all the younger students ringing in their ears. It was a fitting end to a long educational journey for our Year 12 students and we hope they come back to visit Coolum State High School in the future. As I said to them at Graduation, Life is what you make it so my hope is that they are bold enough to use their voices, brave enough to listen to their hearts and strong enough to live the authentic lives they’ve always imagined. Goodbye and good luck to the graduating class of 2017!

Alison Venning
Head of Year 12

Health Matters

For some young people, holiday time can be challenging, it can feel as though you've been taken away from your usual routine of school or work and you may not get to see your friends, teachers or workmates as often as you would like to.

This can leave you feeling bored, unsupported, upset and sometimes anxious. It’s important to stay healthy and look after yourself.

There are a number of ways to help you do this, see Headspace tips for further information.

Did you know that Queensland's UV levels are high enough that they're dangerous to your skin year around? Or that not every t-shirt is giving you the same level of protection from the sun? Remember the 5 steps to be sun safe this summer:

Clothing / Hats / Sunglasses / Shade / Sunscreen

Bek Sayers
School Based Youth Health Nurse

International Student News

In week 8 this term, we congratulated and also bid a sad farewell to our international students in Year 10 and 11, who are returning to their home countries. Many of the students arrived in July and made a lot of Aussie and Coolum State High School friends. We wish the following students all the best of luck in the future – Maiko, Shion and Risa (Japan), Fernanda, Sebastian, Julian and Leon (Chile), Emma, Giulia, Ginevra and Carlo (Italy), Julia, Emanuelle, Carolina, Adelmo, Gabriel, Murilo and Pedro (Brazil), and Marie (Germany).

The students enjoyed many highlights, including school excursions, learning to surf, enjoying the beach, going to Australia Zoo, Dreamworld and other local tourist attractions. Our wonderful homestay families also provided the international students with some great memories, and many will remain lifelong international friends.

We also thank all our school staff and Home Stay families and parents and the many community members for providing additional support to the students and helping them to feel welcome. The ISP Program offers our students, families and community an opportunity for cultural exchange with students from other countries and developing global connections and friendships.

Of course, we also have the privilege of showing off our wonderful part of the world. Our Homestay families are really excited to host the international students and walk them through their journey of living the Australian way of life. For more information regarding the homestay experience, please contact Ms Terri Shine on 5471 5303 or 0418 185 809.

Terri Shine
International Student Programme Homestay Coordinator

Canteen News

Star Achiever

Staff Profile