8 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

At Coolum High, we believe in the power of music with such conviction that we are using it to transform into one of the Sunshine Coast’s leading schools for success in music. I could see the enormous potential amongst our students when I first arrived here nine months ago and am beginning to see that their strengths lie in many different areas, though their talent and dedication to music has stood out especially this year. We believe that music will continue to grow as a focal point for our school, underpinning the greatness Coolum High is destined for.

The research surrounding the benefits of music within schools is staggering, with participation in music programs improving students’ self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork. These qualities make a student great across every single one of their subject choices and are the kinds of characteristics which will help them to succeed in university, training and employment. Literacy and numeracy scores tend to be higher amongst schools with a strong focus on music education, possibly because music also helps boost attendance rates, a particular area destined for improvement at Coolum.

You will most likely have heard of the staggering improvement of our Wind Symphony, with their fantastic performance at Fanfare amongst others. What an outstanding beginning for a group of Year 7, 8 and 9 students who have already started to see the benefits of being able to work in a team, displaying dedication and discipline to something greater than themselves. Our Arts Expo held last week showcased not only the dramatic and artistic side of our senior students but their musicality with performances from our strings students exhibiting their confidence and talent. Invariably on each school assembly we have a musical performance, either with one of our ensembles or soloists; this develops an appreciation amongst our entire school of the many differing gifts and intelligences our students have. These performances are often published on our Facebook page and are well worth a look.

In the coming years, we will be bolstering our strings, percussion and other areas to create a musical program as the centre point of our community. Encouraging students to learn an instrument and participate in ensembles engenders a sense of camaraderie and pride in their school, much like our fantastic sporting teams. Lifting the expectations of students and giving them the opportunities to develop skills in new areas leads to much deeper learning beyond simply being able read music and play an instrument: it affords our students greater mental dexterity, an appreciation of what team work can achieve and the practice of discipline through the honing of a skill.

The potential of our students is tremendous and I cannot wait to see where they take us as our musical journey unfolds. Making music is central to Coolum High’s identity as a genuine leader in education, a role we are moving towards with greater speed and confidence all the time!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary

Our Vision: That students have the confidence, desire and belief to succeed through strong foundations in literacy and numeracy.

A User’s Guide to the Brain: Understanding Neuroscience to Nurture Young Minds!

We are very excited to announce that our school has arranged Associate Professor Michael Nagel to present a parent information evening around adolescent brain development. This will occur on Wednesday 29 August from 6pm-7:30pm in our new Smart Futures bulding.

A synopsis of the presentation:

• What are the most important things you can do to foster healthy development in your child’s developing brain?
• How do you support the mind of a child transitioning into high school and those already in the midst of a sea of adolescent energy?
• What does technology do to a young brain?
• What are the keys to developing emotional regulation in children?

Scientists know! This presentation shares what the latest science has to say about the developing brain and how to nurture that development. The presentation also debunks a number of myths related to brain development and explores the merits behind products and programs, suggesting that they can hyper-stimulate learning. The overall aim is to develop an understanding of how the brain develops, how to help young minds and explore works the key factors involved with nurturing a young mind.

Dr Michael Nagel is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he teaches and researches in the areas of cognition, human development, behaviour and learning. He is the author of thirteen books on child development and learning used by teachers and parents in over twenty countries and has delivered over 300 workshops and seminars for parents and teachers nationally and internationally. Nominated as Australian Lecturer of the Year each year since 2010, Dr Nagel has been an invited guest on ‘TV New Zealand Breakfast’, ‘Canada AM’, ‘Sunrise’, ‘A Current Affair’ and ‘The Project’. Dr Nagel is also the Queensland Director of the Australian Council on Children and the Media, is a member of the prestigious International Neuropsychological Society, and is a feature writer for ‘Jigsaw’ and the ‘Child’ series of magazines which collectively offers parenting advice to more than one million Australian readers.

This is a presentation that no parent can afford to miss! Parents from our local primary schools are also welcomed to attend. Lock it in to your diaries – see you there.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal – Middle Secondary

Excellence in everything we do

Over the last two weeks our students from Year 9 and 10 have been participating in a number of school wide activities including our School Athletics Carnival, showing art work as part of the Art Exhibition Industry Reference Group function and performing in the Talent Show. It is wonderful to see our young people engaging in a broad range of learning opportunities and sharing their efforts with the wider school community.

Next week a blue School Opinion Survey invitation letter will go home to the eldest student in every family. School Opinion Surveys are designed to obtain the views of parents/caregivers, students and school staff on what we do well and how we can improve. Opinions on the school, student learning, and student well-being are sought from a parent/caregiver in all families and a random sample of students in Years 8 and 11. The 2018 School Opinion Surveys will be available, online, until 24 August 2018.

To access the survey, please type the web address outlined on the blue School Opinion Survey invitation letter. Select the Parent/Caregiver Survey link option and enter the two access codes outlined on your invitation letter.

For all survey queries, requests for translations or to arrange to complete the survey at school please contact Emma Clarke by telephone on 07 5471 5333 or via email at eclar78@eq.edu.au.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this very important survey. Feedback facilitates continued growth in schools, playing a crucial role in informing decision making for a bold, bright future at Coolum State High School.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Middle Secondary

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary

Year 10 SET Planning

The Set Planning process for Year 10 students is well underway and interviews are set for Week 5 of this term. The senior schooling handbook has been developed and placed onto the schools website for parents and students to access. A link to the website has been emailed to parents and students. It is essential that students follow these important steps when selecting subjects

1. Determine your pathway, ATAR or NON ATAR
2. Select subjects that are prerequisites for future pathways
3. Select subject that you will be successful in
4. Select subjects that you have an interest in

Students will be selecting their subject preferences in OneSchool before the Week 5 Set Planning Interviews. These preferences will be reviewed against subject prerequisites and Year 10 academic results. The school will have Pre-Set Planning Interviews with students should we identify misalignment of subject preferences. Parents and students will be asked to book SET Planning Interviews with one of the four Deputy Principals through the Parent Teacher Booking System (PTO). We have emailed a letter to Year 10 parents outlining what steps are required for SET Planning.

2018 Next Step - Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual state-wide survey of Year 10, 11 and 12 students who in 2017 left school without obtaining Year 12 certification. The Early School Leavers survey is a short, confidential survey that collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school.

Between August and September, students who left school early in 2017 can expect to receive an invitation to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey. Please encourage them to take part.

For more information, visit the link below or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

All outstanding fees are now due. We are in Week 4 and the Statement of Account will be emailed to you this week and each fortnight until the end of this term. We will also be sending text messages to remind you of the amounts due for fee-paying subjects, this is particularly crucial as without payment your child may be moved into another subject that is non-fee paying. Please note that if a negative amount appears on your statement this indicates that you are in credit OR we have provided an adjustment to your account. If there is no negative, it means you owe the amount.

The Student Resource Scheme (SRS) is a very important part of the school’s financial health and I cannot stress enough the importance of this scheme and what it means to the school and our students. With income from the SRS fees, the school’s other funding would be directed in areas such as more seating for our students; replace old and rusted furniture in classrooms; improve our grounds and gardens; prioritise maintenance jobs such as leaking roofs, toilets and gutters; freshly paint our buildings and amenities inside and out and so much more. One of the many challenges we face is constantly trying to balance the budget with what is needed to ensure your child gets the best from their time at Coolum State High School.

Year 10 Set Planning

In Week 5 this term we start the process for Year 10 Set Planning and subject selection. Please note that we will require a 50% payment on the day of the subject fee selection and without this 50% payment, your child will not be enrolled into the subject. The balance of the amount due for all the subjects is Week 9 of Term 3. If you have not made full payment by this time, your child will be moved out of that subject and enrolled into a non-fee paying subject. We will take 50% payment at the time of subject selection sign-off so that your child does not miss out on their chosen pathway.

I want to thank all families that have contributed to SRS this year and previous years, your contribution is very much valued by the school and without your participation we would not be able to support our students. Please support the scheme and help Coolum State High School be the best it can be.

Let’s work together to provide the best teaching and learning resources, equipment and facilities for our kids. Paying your fees on time and in full is one of the ways that you can contribute to making their school experience even better. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s account.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

P&C Executive

The P&C Executive Committee held their first fundraising event on Friday night in the Brahminy Kite Room.

The Trivia Night was a huge success and fun was had by all.

The P&C raised in the vicinity of $1000.00 with the winners of the night donating their winnings back to the P&C.

Monica Kutt
Vice President

Wind Symphony Academy news

Recently our Wind Symphony students participated in the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod held at Matthew Flinders Anglican College. Combined with Beerwah SHS Coolum won second place in the Secondary Concert Band B division. The adjudicator remarked how well the students played together considering they had only joined for one rehearsal. 41 of the students in this combined group will travel to Melbourne to participate in the Victorian Schools Music Festival later in August.

Sharelle Guest
Wind Symphony Teacher

Tutorials – Homework Club

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot - Visual Line of Sight)

Coolum State High is excited to be able to offer current Vocational Pathway students an opportunity to undertake a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot – Visual Line of Sight)

This qualification provides students the opportunity to operate drones and they will gain the following:

• A CASA Remote Pilots licence – RePL
• A CASA licence to operate an aeronautical radio – AROC
• A CASA English Language Proficiency Test Certification – ELP
• A nationally recognised qualification to give you the skills to operate as a commercial pilot of a UA
• You will be able to operate a UAV in day VFR condition
• Understanding of Navigation, Meteorology, Human Factors, Regulations and Policies, Situational Awareness
• Experience in operation and management of remote aircraft in normal and abnormal situations

Our first classes have commenced and everyone is excited about the journey ahead! Students who are interested in finding out more about this course, should see Mr Walden in DBA.

TAFE @ School Program

Applications for Semester 2 TAFE at School courses are now open with classes from Week 2. Any Year 11 students who are interested in finding out more about this program and the courses on offer should come to the VET office as soon as possible to discuss further.

Please contact me at pwald9@eq.edu.au or 5471 5333 to discuss matters relating to Vocational Education and Training within the school.

Patrick Walden
Head of Department - Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Staff in Focus

Sport news

Surfing News Update

Ellia Smith has won the U 16 State Surfing Title! What an incredible outcome at the end of a lot of hard work for a proud member of our Surfing Academy!

Added to this, Ashton Pignat and Brae Edgerton finished second in the MR Shield!

Coolum High is producing some of Queensland’s best surfers. Congratulations Ellia, Ashton and Brae on this awesome result!

Touch Football Update

As the year is progressing quickly, I would like to take this opportunity to update the school community about the Touch Football Program at Coolum State High School:

Sunshine Coast All Schools Competition:

Glasshouse Mountains Sports Complex hosted the Sunshine Coast All Schools Competition on Sunday 29 July, with over 100 teams in attendance. Coolum SHS participated with a team in the 15 Boys Division and a team in the 15 Girls Division. Although the girls did not win a game on the day against very tough competition, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The boys with only 8 players, won three of their four pool games, narrowly missing out on a finals game, finishing fifth overall. As the boys’ team continues to prepare for the State All Schools Competition held in Brisbane in October, a win over St Andrews on Sunday has given them an advantage in that competition as this was a preliminary game. Great job gentlemen!

Coolum Junior Touch Competition:

Coolum SHS continues to participate in this Monday afternoon Under 16’s competition at the Coolum Touch Fields in Peregian Springs. The teams train from 3:15pm and then play 2, 30 minute games from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. All Touch Academy students are expected to attend these training sessions and games. The invitation to participate is also extended to the Year 7 Boys and Girls Interschool Touch Teams.

Noosa Men’s Competition:

The 15 Boys team will now play weekly in the Noosa Men’s competition, a strong competition that will continue to prepare them for the All Schools Competition in October, under the coaching of Mr Eric Smyth. Good luck boys for the season.

Athletics Carnival

The oval was a sea of colour and costumes on Friday 27 July, with students and staff dressed in creative costumes matching the theme of Cartoon Characters, across the four houses of Binyama (Red), Carcoola (Green), Warringa (Blue) and Yuroka (Yellow). The lovely winter’s day produced some great results from students and lots of participation in each of the events.

The results:

Good luck to the students who made the Coolum SHS Athletics Team as they compete at the District Athletics Carnival at the Sunshine Coast University on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 of August.

Courtney Goodacre
HPE Teacher

Sporting Success - Semester 1

Semester 1 was very busy for our sports men and women with a range of School, District, Regional and State carnivals enticing students to sign up and become involved in sport. Participation numbers have improved across all areas of competition in 2018 and as a result we have had numerous successes to celebrate. It has been a very rewarding to see so many students having a go, having fun and enjoying success this year.

In Semester 1 Year 8 students have had the opportunity to participate in the Inter School Sport Competition. The weather proposed some challenges, however the students went out there and battled the mud and proved tough competition for the other schools. The 86 students fought hard, and at the end of the season Coolum High had 7 of its 8 teams make the finals. Coolum finished on top, taking out Champion School for 2018!

Results from the finals:

1 Place – Boys Basketball
1 Place – Girls Basketball
1 Place – Boys Soccer
2 Place – Boys Touch
2 Place – Girls Touch
3 Place – Girls Soccer
3 Place – Boys Volleyball
5 Place – Girls Volleyball

Students have also had the opportunity to participate in major school carnivals. Swimming & athletics as well as a large range of District, Regional, State and National sporting trials and events. While each and every effort and performance is highly applauded, I would like to take this opportunity to share our Regional and Queensland representatives so far for 2018. I am so proud of each and every one of our students, not only for their success but the way they have represented our school and our region this year.

The Sunshine Coast Region representatives to date in 2018:

Rounding out the list, Ezekiel Hawkins 13-16 Football (Soccer) who was also successful in making and playing in the Queensland Team. This is Ezekiel’s second consecutive year representing Queensland in Football, and with the addition of his current involvement and training with the Brisbane Roar is a person to watch in the future.

Narrowly missing out on selection in the QLD team, Taij Roberts is one of our most recent regional representatives participating in the 12 Years Rugby League State Championships. After losing only one of their six games, the team made a podium finish coming in in 3 place. A champion effort from Taij and the team. Taij will also be one to look out for after some stellar performances at the recent inter house athletics carnival!

A special mention must also go to Charlee Lawson who was selected to referee at both the 13-16 Years and the 10-12 Years Football (Soccer) State Championships.

We have had an abundance of student’s trialling for District teams, and many students were successful in making the District teams this year. As the level of competition heats up, each student has done a fantastic job representing Coolum High. Some District trials had upwards of 80 student’s trailling to make the team. A great effort by all students involved.

Congratulations to everyone involved in sport this year and getting out there and having a go. It has been great to be able to celebrate so much success on parade each week and I look forward to continuing to celebrate our sporting excellence for the remainder of the year!

Christina Fiducioso
HPE Teacher

ISP Homestay Coordinator news

On 2 August, we were pleased to welcome a group of Japanese students from Hatsushiba Hashimoto High School. The school is from Osaka in Japan and the group are experiencing the Sunshine Coast for the first time. The students were aged between 14-16 years old.

Their half day school study tour program included a walk to the top of Emu Mountain, English language conversational lesson with the Mr Jeffer’s Year 8 English Class and a tour of the school grounds. A highlight for the visiting students, were the friendly Coolum SHS students who became their ‘school buddies’.

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, or email tshin0@eq.edu.au

Terri Shine
ISP Coordinator

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