5 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

I am very fortunate within Education Queensland to be given opportunities to participate in events such as Principal’s Day, where Principals have the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing schools together. It’s a great way to see what other schools are doing and whether we can do better here at Coolum. This year, however, as I observed the speakers and their presentations, I know we were already doing an amazing job in this particular area: inclusivity.

At Coolum High our students are not facsimiles or duplicates of one another, but have many diverse backgrounds and are of many different abilities. They do not walk through the gates of a morning having had the same breakfast, nor from the same designed house or even had the same conversation in the same language! Our students are individuals with a myriad of backgrounds and abilities which is fantastic, but each and every one of our Coolum students needs to feel a sense of belonging, care and respect within their day at our school so that they can learn effectively. This is where inclusivity comes in.

Inclusivity is quite simply ensuring that every student within a school community is receiving the support they need to belong, is involved purposefully in learning and is given every opportunity possible to experience academic success. Inclusivity is about making sure that students, no matter whether they are from around the corner, interstate or overseas, from a nuclear, single parent or blended family, are gifted in a subject area or are challenged with a disability, are all given an education which allows them to do the very best of their ability and achieve excellence within their own personal schooling. I’m very proud to say Coolum High does this and we do it very well.

Coolum High School has always been an inclusive school. Every day, in every classroom, students are learning and achieving in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. We achieve this through a whole school approach with specialist staff supporting students and teachers both in and out of the classroom. As teachers, we cannot apply the very same set of teaching methods and subject matter to every student and expect to get the same result: this is simply ludicrous. Our Diverse Learner’s Department is essential in ensuring teachers and students are supported with strategies and programs so that everyone in every class is learning to the best of their ability. These highly trained and skilled staff work together to do an amazing job in supporting those students with differing abilities and needs within our school. Their patience and dedication to our students is absolutely outstanding.

Diversity makes the world go around. Our differences in background, abilities and ideas makes us human and best of all, it makes us interesting. At Coolum High, where our motto is Care, Respect and Excellence, I’m incredibly proud of the way we live by this within our school. That sense of belonging and pride which has really begun to develop and take hold across our campus and amongst our students this year is vital for every single student to feel safe and cared for. Some of their differences are obvious, some of their differences are hidden from view, but every single one of Coolum’s students is important, welcomed and belongs.

Lastly, as this newsletter is finalised by our admin team, our Year 12 students are preparing to take part in the Queensland Core Skills Test. Over Tuesday and Wednesday this week, they will complete four tests with each examining their abilities in 49 Common Curriculum Elements (or skills). The results will help to determine their final OP scores at the end of the year and their entry into tertiary education amongst other things. Supporting and encouraging our Year 12 students sitting the QCST at this time is essential in positioning them for success. Good luck to you all - I know you will complete the tests with your usual dedication and maturity.

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.

Wonderful student achievements

I was delighted to attend the Rotary Noosa Daybreak club’s breakfast last week which celebrated the success of Ben Dundon and Olivia Williams. Both Ben and Olivia were successful in their applications to attend the National Youth Science Forum held in Canberra in January 2019 – a top achievement.

Our athletes have also had some outstanding performances. At the district athletics carnival we received some outstanding results including multiple age champions and record-breakers. We celebrated these achievements at a recent school parade and I would like to thank the HPE staff who have supported our school team this year at the trials.

Last, but not least, this year our school has achieved it highest ever NAPLAN results in Year 9 for Reading, Grammar and Punctuation, and second best ever for Numeracy. These results give us great encouragement to continue the relentless whole-of-school improvement focus we have.

Understanding Young Minds

We had a wonderful parent information evening on Wednesday with Dr Mike Nagel from USC talking about all things related to neuroscience and adolescence. I would like to thank all the parents and families that came – I know the information presented was beneficial for everyone and we all got so much out of it.

Safe travel to and from school

With our ever growing Coolum-Peregian community, there is more traffic movement and more people around schools and local streets than ever before.

As a school we sometimes receive concerns from our community about our students unsafely crossing roads or not giving due care and attention when riding bikes on roads or scooters/skateboards on footpaths.

With this in mind, I would like to ask all families to talk with their children about safe travel to and from school. This is an important issue as there are more cars on the roads and students in our community travelling to and from school.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal – Middle Secondary

Excellence in everything we do

Term three is always a busy time in schools as our students work towards completion and submission of assessment tasks. It is important that families work together to establish productive time management routines to support the best possible outcomes for students in their learning. The magic five P’s of Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance remain as true for academic success as it does in other endeavours.

In weeks leading into the September holiday break our middle school students will be engaging with information about their elective subject choices for Year 9 and 10 in 2019.

In order to support this process, we would like to invite students and parents from our current Year 8 and 9 cohorts to an information evening on Monday 10 September at 6.00pm in the Brahminy Kite Room, Smart Futures Building.

The evening will provide families with valuable information about the New Senior ATAR system and implications for students in planning for their future pathways as well as outline the subject selection process and timelines for completion.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Middle Secondary

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary

QCS test

On Tuesday and Wednesday our Year 11 and 12 OP students completed the Queensland core skills test (QCS) which is used in the calculation of their overall position (OP). For the first time, the Year 11 students completed the practice exam at the same time as the Year 12 students to give them a realistic experience of the test next year. Students and staff have been working extremely hard in preparation for the QCS test and from our early practice marks expect our best ever QCS results.

Senior Block Exams

In Week 9 senior students will be completing assessment/exams in an internal block exam period. Unlike last term, the expectation is that students will attend school every day and move to their allocated exam when required. Year 11 and 12 students will be given an exam timetable next week to assist in this process and this will also be available on Q Parents. Year 10 students will have class as per normal and complete assessment tasks in those lessons.

It is extremely important that all senior students attend school right up to the last day of term to ensure they have completed all of the required assessment tasks for their subjects. If a student is sick on the day an exam they must follow the assessment policy and notify the school of the absence and provide a medical certificate on their return to school. A suitable time to complete the assessment piece will be negotiated with the student.

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

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.

The SRS is a very important part of the school’s financial health and I can’t 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 recieves the best from their time at Coolum State High School. SRS Forms for 2019 will also be sent out before the end of this term in preparation for next year. This will provide families with sufficient time to make payment by the end of Term 2 2019.

We are in Week 8 and the Statement of Account will be emailed to you this week and in Week 10 of this term. A reminder that all outstanding fees are due now. 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.

Year 10 Set Planning

Thank you to all the families that made a 50% payment towards the subject fees during our Week 5 Year 10 Set Planning process and subject selection. The balance of the amount due for all the subjects is by the end of this term unless a payment plan has been arranged with the school. If you have not made full payment by this time, your child may be moved out of that subject and enrolled into a non-fee paying subject.

Let’s work together to provide the best teaching and learning resources, equipment and facilities for our students. 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 don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your student’s account.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

P& C Executive

Term 3 is nearly over

We feel Spring is in the air and a spring in our step as we keep on planning and running successful events to support our great school. The Fathers’ day raffle was drawn on Friday 31 August and we congratulate all the winners. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets, as we raised $191.00.

A reminder that the P&C will have its Term 3 Red Food Day on Friday 14 September. Money raised will go towards the Bike Shelter.

A DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR!!

On Friday the 2 November we are planning a fabulous afternoon event, A COLOUR RUN!! Why should primary students have all the fun? For a $10 fee, students will run an obstacle course that will be dotted with colour stations where they will be sprayed with coloured powder- just for fun! These events have become very popular and a great way to raise money for schools. From 3.00 pm on Friday 2 November, the school will host the event on the sports field. A sausage sizzle, food and drinks will be on sale.

As it’s the last week that all students are together before senior exams and assessment, it will be a great way to celebrate our community. Keep the date free and further information about ticket sales will follow in the coming newsletters.

WANTED! WANTED! WANTED! As we prepare for the colour run we are looking for donations/lending of the following:

• Hay Bales
• Tyres
• Heavy ropes
• Hoola hoops
• Ladders
• Climbing net - in fact anything that can be used to create an obstacle course.!!!

If you are able to help or know anyone who may be able to help, please email the P&C as soon as possible at pandcexecutive@coolumshs.eq.edu.au . The more ‘things’ we have, the more fun and challenging the course will be!

Thank you to everyone that is supporting us. Remember, we support the school, as we are all in this together – as the song goes!

Monica Kutt
Vice President

Junior Mathematics News

Year 7 students are currently studying perimeter and area. This week has been a hive of activity with time spent in and out of the classroom looking at real-life applications of measurement.

Photos attached: Mrs Baggett’s class exploring relationships between the perimeter and area of combined shapes.

With exams occurring over the coming weeks, now is an opportune time for parents to check their child’s daily equipment and replace as required. Along with essential items such as pencils, pens and well-kept notebooks, students must have access to a ruler and a scientific calculator for success in maths classes.

Did you know that all students in Year 7, 8 and 9 have access to digital resources via the Oxford Digital website? As well as extra study materials, there are interactive learning objects and videos that can help to increase understanding. Students can access this resource using their school email address and the default password: Oxford123

Dean Hose
Mathematics Head of Department

Junior Science News

Year 8 STEM visit to QUT

On Monday 27 August, students from Year 7 and 8 had the opportunity to visit Queensland University of Technology (QUT) for a STEM excursion. The excursion focused on digital technologies and provided students with challenges throughout the day. These challenges were based around the Arduino platform which involves the interaction between computer hardware and software. Sounds complicated, students were equal to the challenge as they used computer code to manipulate a circuit board instructing it to complete certain tasks.

The activities included interacting with ‘The Cube’, which is a massive interactive screen within the Engineering faculty building. Students’ answered a series of questions based upon the Barrier Reef as they manipulated a touch screen as big as a three-storey building. After returning to a technology hub they completed further challenges based around digital technologies, which include “Blinking” and “Driverless Cars”.

The day culminated with a competition whereby each group of students had to program a driverless car and race it around a track. After finely tuning some sensors and precisely drafting computer code, students raced each other for the ultimate prize, a final victory. All students in the end proved to be victors as they met each challenge and gained some invaluable knowledge that will motivate them regarding future career options.

Year 7 STEM visit to QUT

On Tuesday, 28 July, 28 budding scientists of the future (Year 7 STEM) visited QUT for a day of interesting and innovative workshops. After a two-hour bus ride, students used their creative skills to make a satellite dish. They then used coding to send a message to the dish which was sent through light waves. A leisurely lunch was enjoyed in the grounds of the university, which were very impressive. After lunch the students were once again engaged in coding, but this time they used spheres which took on the planets of our Solar System. Each group coded the orbit of their designated planet and it truly was an incredible spectacle as each group simultaneously ran their programmes, sending each sphere on its particular orbit of the Sun.

All students were engaged and a credit to our school.

Paul Olsen
Science Head of Department

Debating news

This week in debating, the Coolum State High teams versed Chancellor State College, Siena Catholic College and ourselves!

The senior team versed Chancellor State College to debate the topic : “That competition leads to greater success than collaboration” and won their fourth debate in a row. They have won every round in the competition and will go through to the play offs in October. Congratulations to Sarina Petersen, Mika Joyce-Mangschou and Tyler Mohr!

The Intermediate teams spoke really well and have been increasing their speaking times each week. This week the topic was “That violence in professional sport should be dealt with by police as a criminal act”.

The Junior Teams J.3 and J.2 versed each other and Coolum J.3 were declared winners. The topic was “That children should be paid by parents to do household chores”. Debaters Haylee Kemp, Joley Slater, Kailyn Wansbrough and Carmen Bryant, as the negative team, came up with the best arguments and won the debate. Congratulations J.3!

Catch up debates will occur next week at Sunshine Coast Grammar. Semi-finals and the Grand Final of the competition will take place in October.

Colette Webber
Teacher

Cheerleading Academy news

On Sunday 2 September both Cheerleading teams competed at the Asia Pacific Grand International Competition. The competition was held at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Carrara and the teams competed in the Level 1 and Level 2 Scholastics Section. Both teams were awarded 1st place against some tough competition which included schools from all over the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

In addition to 1st place, Level 1 was given a Las Vegas Invitation which allows them to compete in Las Vegas if they choose. Level 2 was awarded Scholastic Grand Champions. To achieve the award they had to be the highest scoring school team of the day.

The students have trained hard and are very deserving of these amazing achievements. Special thanks to the coaches, Hayley and Jada, and the fathers who allowed their daughters to compete on Father's Day. I'm sure they made you very proud. We are exceptionally proud of what these teams have achieved in such a short time.

Tracy Ford
Cheerleading Coordinator

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

National Skills Week success at Coolum High

Coolum High celebrated National Skills Week with key events in a number of our vocational areas across the school focusing on real skills for real careers.

Our senior hospitality students enjoyed a cooking class by staff from the Spirit House Restaurant where they applied existing knowledge and learnt a number of new skills. Several students were lucky to be given vouchers for complementary classes at the Spirit House Cooking School.

Students were exposed to trades and other opportunities with talks from our industry partners at Diggerman, Bluedog Training, TAFE Queensland, MEGT, Westwood Environmental and the Defence Force.

We also had a drone demonstration involving our Certificate III Aviation students in collaboration with UAV Training and the Sunshine Coast Drone Club.

We will have further presentations from the Sunshine Coast Airport and University of the Sunshine Coast in the coming weeks with a continued focus on providing exposure to opportunities.

Participating in events such as National Skills Week helps to ensure that every student has a clear pathway to further education, training or employment.

School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeship Opportunities (SATs)

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 are shown below:

Current Vacancies

SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Goodness Gracious Café, Yandina
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – North Shore Tavern, Pacific Paradise
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Aromas, Noosa
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Pizza Capers, Noosa Junction
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Subway, Noosa Civic
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Laughing Lobster, Marcoola
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Donut King, Noosa Civic
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Indian Restaurant, Yandina
SIT30616 Certificate III Commercial Cookery – Master Sushi, Nambour
SIT30616 Certificate III Commercial Cookery – The Canteen Restaurant, Coolum
SHB30416 Certificate 111 in Hairdressing – Coolum Beach Salon, Coolum

Full-Time Apprenticeships

These opportunities are not school based. They would suit those looking to leave school as a priority and transition into the workforce.

Current Vacancies

Apprentice Cabinetmaker - 2 Positions, Coolum Beach
Apprentice Carpenter, Maroochydore
Apprentice Commercial Cook, Mooloolaba
Apprentice Painter, Maroochydore
Apprentice Painter, Forest Glen
Engineering Production Traineeship, Kunda Park
Apprentice Chef, Coolum Beach

Please contact me on pwald9@eq.edu.au or 5471 5321 to discuss matters relating to Vocational Education and Training within the school.

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

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander News

Wunya Ngulum!!!!! Welcome Everybody.

Thank you to all students attending AIME - Culture sessions.

For all students I would like to wish each of you the very best in Term 3 exams.

We are very proud of all 45 brothers and sisters here at Coolum State High School.

Please email smoor259@eq.edu.au if you are interested in a gathering outside of school hours to connect with our other Indigenous families here at school. Possibly a monthly picnic in the local park?

Any support for cultural knowledge / stories that you feel happy to share please email the above address as we would love for you to share your stories with our Indigenous students.

In the future we do hope to have more all inclusive mob days where we can all invite a friend to share in this time allowing cultural diversity to flow freely throughout Coolum High School.

Upcoming (delayed) NAIDOC school events will be on the school calendar:

1. Whole school parade -Welcome to Country.
2. Activity for "Mob and a Mate".

Sara Moore
Indigenous Support Officer.

International Student News

This term we welcomed 24 new international students, arriving from Austria, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland. The students’ time with us varies from 3 months to 1 year.

The students are practising their English (conversational and written skills), enjoying our beautiful environment and learning to surf. A recent highlight for the visiting students was a visit to Australia Zoo. The chance to touch a kangaroo and koala was a truly special moment for them, with photos and selfies a tick off the bucket list!

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 Homestay Coordinator

Dates for your Diary