12 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

What a momentous week for our Year 12s with the completion of the Queensland Core Skills Test. I would like to congratulate all those Seniors who sat the test and particularly on the way in which they did so. Their preparation beforehand, seriousness in undertaking the test and care and respect for one another during was outstanding. What a fine display of the mature young men and women leading our school; I am very proud of you all!

It seems fitting after this Queensland specific rite of passage that our senior students begin to think about preparing for another, albeit a much less stressful one: Graduation. For the first time in Coolum State High School’s history, graduating Year 12 students will take part in a formal and traditional Graduation Ceremony. This will involve the presentation of certificates and awards, the delivery of speeches including the valedictorian address, and involve academic dress such including graduation gowns and caps. The purpose of observing this culminative ceremony is to celebrate our graduating cohort’s success in an appropriately formal and commemorative manner. Our Year 12s have accomplished so much this year both personally and as a magnificent group of young adults. They will make us all proud in the future as representatives of this fantastic community of Coolum; let’s celebrate and applaud them before they fly off into the world! Further details regarding the Graduation Ceremony will follow in future newsletters.

With events like the QCS Test firmly behind them and Graduation on the horizon, this is a pertinent time to remind our Year 12s in particular that the hard work of their final year is not quite over. The final assessment pieces due in the next few weeks are a critical point-in-time indicator for subject rankings and overall positions. At times, the assessment piece submitted at the end of Term 3 can be the difference between a B+ and a coveted A- or at the other end of the spectrum, an overall failing or passing mark. The final assessment piece in Term 4 serves to solidify this ranking and is therefore also of vital importance. Please support your child by perhaps giving them the night off from the dishes or making them a cup of tea as they finalise these all important assessment items. To our Seniors: this is the time to really push through the barriers of what you think you are capable of.

I’ll leave you with this quote from the remarkable Helen Keller (she became a university graduate, political activist, author and lecturer despite being deaf and blind):

“The only way out is through.”

In any situation where the work seems never-ending, overwhelming or difficult, this quote always reminds me that grit, determination and persistence will help you overcome it.

Good luck and work hard Year 12s- a rest is coming!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary

QCS test

Last week 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 an authentic experience of the test when they complete it for real in 2019. Students and staff have been working extremely hard in preparation for the QCS test and from our early practice marks we expect our best ever QCS results.

Senior Block Exams

Senior students are currently 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 have been given an exam timetable to assist in this process. Year 10 students will have class as per normal and complete assessment task 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.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

Certificate Fees

Senior School is a very important time in the life of your child and on-time payment of Student Resource Scheme, subject fees and certificate fees is very important. Without full payment of fees, your child’s place in the certificate or subject may be affected, including removal from that subject if we do not receive payment by the set dates and times. The fees for certificate courses for 2019 are due by the end of term 3, please ensure you make payment. Payment of all other fees are also due, this will ensure that your child is eligible to participate in the end of year activities, particularly the Year 12 Inaugural Graduation Ceremony.

Student Resource Scheme 2019

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.

Fee payment contributes to the ability of the school to purchase much needed resources for that subject. When it comes to certificate courses, full payment is of utmost significance because without payment your child will not receive their certificate and it could affect their potential to graduate.

We have not increased the SRS for the past three years and once again the school and the P&C have endorsed it to remain at $300 for 2019 for all year levels. The 2019 SRS form will go home with your child this week. Please complete and sign the form and return it to the school as soon as possible.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Free TAFE for Year 12 Graduates

To support Year 12 graduates into work, the Queensland Government offers free TAFE in high priority areas. If you are getting ready to graduate Year 12 in 2018, you can kick‐start your career by attaining the skills employers require without the fees.

Eligible Year 12 graduates must enroll and start training in a high priority qualification within the calendar year after leaving school to take advantage of this great opportunity.

Refer to for further details

Industry Representative in Focus: Jimmi Bradbury

I love to inspire through helping people and organisations find solutions to their problems in business and everyday life. My approach of using 'how to' strategies and techniques gained from over 30 years of living and working around the world will help achieve solutions to the challenges you may currently face in your organisations. I have lived in London, Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Manila and Australia where I gained my International Business experience which includes Strategic and Business Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions, Company Flotation and Business Development. I have also had equal excitement from being the owner of various small businesses serving the local communities. I use this knowledge, experience and perspective from around the world to help organisations including companies ‘start-up’, grow and expand locally, nationally and internationally. I have held the position of main Board Director of a stock market listed company with responsibility for international strategic growth and development. I was part of the Senior Management Team at the time the group successfully implemented an IPO and floated the company on the London Stock Market in 2007.

I am a big supporter of the Coolum SHS Industry Reference Group because it seeks to foster strong partnerships between industry, the community and the school for the benefit of all involved which is really important for me.

One of the things I am passionate about is using my knowledge, experience perspective and global contacts to be able to help bridge ‘the gap’ that I believe currently exists between Industry and Schooling. In all our history, we have never had this chance before to help students become aware of the unprecedented change that is currently happening in the world today, so they are best prepared for future jobs and careers, many of which they will create, as they do not currently exist. In the future I believe the focus will not just be on ‘knowledge’ and what one knows, but what skills one has to learn and develop so that in using their imagination the students can apply in a creative way to engineer their future careers.

In 2019, I will be involved with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at Coolum High. The goal of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy will be for the students to work collaboratively, think innovatively and learn to use their creative and problem solving skills with an entrepreneurial mindset whilst at the same time contributing to making the world a better place for future generations.

The Academy will be based around a structured curriculum that includes a combination of a lean start up training, interesting case studies and involvement in collaborative projects with real life ‘entrepreneurial’ knowledge, experience and perspective on business. Students will get the opportunity to create and develop ideas that potentially solve a problem and may lead to a viable enterprise. The Academy will also involve visits to the nearby Innovation Centre at the University of the Sunshine Coast to meet real life ‘start-up’ businesses and entrepreneurs.

I believe today is the most exciting time ever in our history to be alive! The excitement lies in the opportunities that flow from the daily breakthroughs in science, technology, engineering and medicine combined with the growth of the internet and social media and the change brought about by the rapid developments in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, VR, AR, Blockchain, 3D Printing and Nanotechnology to name but a few disruptive trends you can’t afford to ignore. It is my belief the world will change more over the next 7 years than compared to the last 150 years, presenting unprecedented opportunities for us in business and life.

I currently work with people from all walks of life – Olympic athletes, families working from home, ‘start up’ businesses, coaches, doctors and CEOs running multi-million-dollar companies.

For more details please visit my website below, including details of my business coaching and monthly online training courses. I am on all the Social Platforms @jimmibradbury - Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Youtube.

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 Hospitality – Pitchfork Restaurant, Peregian Beach
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Harbour Wine Bar, Tewantin
SIT30616 Certificate III Hospitality – Down Town Burgers, Maroochydore
SIT30616 Certificate III Commercial Cookery – Master Sushi, Nambour
SIT30616 Certificate III Commercial Cookery – The Canteen Restaurant, Coolum
SHB30416 Certificate III Hairdressing – Coolum Beach Salon, Coolum
SHB20216 Certificate II Salon Assistant – Tewantin
SIT20416 Certificate II Kitchen Operations (BOH) – Caloundra and Yandina

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 Bricklayer 1st or 2nd Year, Maroochydore
Apprentice Commercial Cook, Caloundra
Apprentice Solid Plasterer, Maroochydore
Engineering Production Traineeship, Kunda Park
Business Administration Traineeship, Coolum Beach

MIGAS 2019 QGC PATHWAYS apprenticeship and trainee intake

Completed or be in the process of completing your Year 12 certificate or equivalent

Warehousing Traineeship x 1, Chinchilla
Apprentice Electrical and Instrumentation x 4, Chinchilla
Apprentice Mechanical Fitting x 3, Chinchilla
Traineeships Process Plant Operations x 2, Chinchilla
Traineeship Wellsite Operations x 2, Chinchilla

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)

Senior School News

Test Preparation – The Art of Focusing Intensely

As students prepare for important test periods it is important for them to not simply know the content of the test but to prepare themselves mentally for the task they face. In particular, students need to be ready to focus. Good sleep, good food and plenty of water are a great starting place for students to feel confident and ready to concentrate hard.

During the test itself, there is a strategy that can help. Firstly, it is important to understand that concentrating intensely for up to two hours without a moment’s break is very difficult for anyone to do. Real concentration is very tiring. Students should plan to take short breaks from concentration between parts of their test. These breaks may only be 15-20 seconds long but they can be enough time for the student to have a sip of water (bringing a water bottle into exams is a great thing), check the time, and stretch, relieving muscles that may have been tense for some time. Then, the student should deliberately and consciously refocus on the test and begin the next part.

These small breaks in this way provide brief respite from the intense focus and allow the student to look at the bigger scale of the test – what is complete, what is not yet done, and what should be done next. They also allow for a clear mind, less cluttered by the previous task.

Once a student has completed a test, there is no need to dwell on it, regardless of how they feel they performed. Frequently, students have actually done better than they feel they have, but one or two tasks introduce a nagging doubt in their minds. Once a test is done, the student can tell themselves that the result is now beyond their control and therefore worrying about it will achieve nothing. It is far better to focus on the next test.

Sean Sweeney
Head of Senior Schooling

University Sunshine Coast News

USC’s Parent Info and Headstart evening

If you are a parent of, or a school student in, Year 10, 11 or 12, USC invites you to our Parent Information and Headstart evening on Thursday 13 September 4.30-6.30pm at USC Sunshine Coast to learn more about navigating the journey from school to university.

We'll be talking about Headstart – USC's unique program that gives students the opportunity to complete first year subjects, get a taste of uni life, and gain credit towards a USC degree, all while completing Year 11 or 12.

We’ll also cover:

• What options are available to get into USC including:
  - Early Offer Guarantee which offers Year 12 students an early and guaranteed place at USC in November
  - Uni pathways and preparation course such as Tertiary Preparation Pathway which can help school leavers ease into tertiary study and meet prior study requirements for certain degrees
• The support available to USC students, including those completing Headstart
• The application process
• The world-class facilities on offer at USC through a campus tour with a student ambassador

What is Headstart?

Headstart is a transition program that allows Year 11 and 12 students to study USC courses while still completing high school. The program gives high-achieving students an opportunity to challenge themselves and get a taste of university life.

Students can choose their Headstart courses from a wide range of study areas, including Engineering, Graphic Design, Languages, Psychology and Law. It's a great way for your child to try out the degree they're considering, or to study an area of interest that isn't offered by their school.

Technology News

As we head towards the busy end of Term 3, it’s great to be able to report on some of the successes that have been happening in the Technology Faculty. Many of the Year 12 Childcare students have completed their certificate already – congratulations Brooke, Findlay, Georgia-Rae, Lacie, Myisha, Fiona, Courtney, Calliope and Rhianna. It’s also a good time to remind Year 12 students in particular, that they should be working hard to get their competencies completed in their respective subjects.

Graphics and Home Economics students will be completing their final assessment items before verification – good luck on your next-to-final assessment item for the year. We already know that we’re looking at excellent results from these students and it will be good to have that confirmed by their respective subject panels.

A focus for the Technology faculty recently has been the renovation of M1 in the Technology Building to convert it from a traditional Graphics Room into a Design Lab and Makerspace. Teachers and students (who have designed the room) have been giving up some of their own time to lay carpet in the room in preparation for the arrival of our Industrial 3D Printer which should be arriving before the end of the term. This machine will allow rapid prototyping of student design projects - far quicker than the smaller “hobby”-style machines. It will allow students to experience a machine that they will most likely be using if they follow this career path in the future.

Glenn Blair
A/Head of Year Technology

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