31 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

There has been a palpable sense of excitement and even a touch a nerves around our school over the past few days with our fantastic Awards Ceremony looming very, very close on the horizon. This is a wonderful night where we recognise and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our very best students, those who have taken their strengths and talents, applied dedication and determination to their studies and have achieved excellence as a result.

As a Principal, I look forward to our Awards Ceremony with a mixture of pride and nervousness. The pride part is easy to explain: these students are exemplars of everything we aspire to achieve here at Coolum SHS and I can’t wait to acknowledge their awesome accomplishments with their teachers, parents and the Coolum community. The students at our school are outstanding and nights like this are a fantastic opportunity to get behind and support them whilst showing the whole of Coolum just how amazing they are! With the program also showcasing the magnificent talents of our award winning performing arts students with the wind symphony and the full range of our talented student performers, tonight promises to be a truly inspiring celebration.

On the other hand, my nervousness is more of the sympathetic kind and has a lot to do with those award winners who are the quiet achievers. They are the ones who wait until the end of the class to ask questions. They get on with the business of learning without a fuss yet with dogged determination. They help their fellow students without really expecting any thanks. They’re the ones who slip to the back of the group when a photo is being taken and for whom tonight’s recognition of their accomplishment is marred with perhaps not a little feeling of dread. I feel nervous for these award winners because I know (I think we all do) what it is like to stand up on a stage and feel a sea of people watching you. I can’t make that feeling of nervousness disappear, but I can assure each of our students that, that sea is one of support, celebration and overwhelming positivity. Your achievement is something to be aspired to and you have made your peers, teachers, parents, family and all of the Coolum schooling community very proud. I’d like to congratulate all of our award winners and their families: well done!

Adding to the sense of triumph around campus is the success of our T20 cricketers over St Andrews in the second ever competition of its kind. Our team of fantastic sportsmen won 108 runs to 95, with some spectacular batting by Jack and Adam, whilst Darcy took 3 for 22 with the ball. Special thanks also to the Coolum Cricket Club who have donated a trophy for the competition: what a fantastic, supportive community we have around us! Most of all, the sportsmanship displayed by our cricket team was outstanding.

I was also delighted with our debating team of Mika, Sarina and Tyler who debated with such skill, gusto and determination that they reached the regional final. These students are a beacon of excellence and I would like to extend my congratulations to them on their brilliant effort. What an inspiration!

This time of year is also one in which the exhilaration and anticipation for the final days of Year 12 is met with the poignancy and knowledge that school for our Seniors is almost over. With assessment wrapping up and Graduation approaching, I would urge all of our Year 12 students to reflect on the importance of these last few weeks as a Senior at Coolum State High School with respect and care for their peers and their school. Finishing Year 12 is a very exciting rite of passage: make it one to remember fondly because, even though it might be hard to believe right now, these really are some of the best days of your lives.

To all our Coolum SHS community, please enjoy the next few weeks of celebration and milestones safely!

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.

Upcoming assessment

We have just about hit the time in the term when end-of-year assessment tasks start rolling in. For most students in Years 7-9, these assessments will be due in Week 8 or 9 – these may be exams, assignments, projects or oral presentations.

To ensure that students achieve their best results, I expect them to be very focussed in class and to also organise their time to prepare for assessment. Anything that schools and families can do to help students organise their time will be beneficial. Carefully working on tasks over time often produces much better results than scrambling to put something together the night before it is due.

I strongly encourage students to attend our excellent Wednesday afternoon tutorials (3.00pm-4.00pm) or our catch-up club that runs before school (Monday-Thursday) at 8.00am. Here students can get extra help from staff to support them to achieve their personal excellence.

Improved results will come from improved effort!

Improving our Teaching and Learning

Throughout this year, a group of our teachers have been exploring and practicing strategies of explicit direct instruction. These strategies focus on the teacher being at the centre of the learning by explicitly teaching the concepts and skills that students need to know, and then using a variety of engaging techniques to constantly check for student understanding.

In Week 3 I took nine dedicated teachers with me to Broadbeach State School to see these strategies in action. We will now reflect on our visit and plan how to incorporate parts of this into our practice at Coolum SHS.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal – Middle Secondary

Excellence in everything we do

On Wednesday 31 October, Coolum State High School will celebrate the achievements of our students at the Annual Awards Ceremony.

Awards Ceremony has a special place in the history of our school. It acknowledges the many wonderful achievements in the fields of academia, sport, culture and citizenship. This night is a culmination of the countless hours or effort and persistence demonstrated by students in order to achieve excellence.

We are looking forward to seeing many of the Year 9 and 10 students at the ceremony, in their best full formal uniform, accepting their accolade with pride.

Speaking of pride, I was immensely proud of Year 10 students in the senior debating team, Mika, Sarina and Tyler, who last Wednesday night competed in the grand final of the Sunshine Coast Debating competition. As an audience member listening to the well -constructed and highly intelligent arguments made by our students I was reminded of my own moral purpose for the work that I do here at Coolum High. The education our students receive is incredibly important in creating a solid foundation for the opportunities and pathways of the future. Without the work of teachers like Collette Webber our debate team would not have been as successful as they have been over the last few years. Likewise, without the experience of challenge these students would not have the opportunity to explore their personal capability and understand what they really can achieve. Schools are amazing places for students to explore and develop a wide range of skills. The key is to get involved, do your best and open your mind to what is possible.

I look forward to celebrating all of the amazing achievements of our school on Wednesday.

Hope to see you all there.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Middle Secondary

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary

On Friday 26 October our OP Year 12 students and those that are considering a university pathway as an option in 2019 visited the University of the Sunshine Coast to see firsthand what life is like for a first year university student. The time spent at university enables students to experience university life and helps to break down the misconceptions. Our non OP students had a presentation from Sunshine Coast TAFE about viable study and course options at their local campuses. From all reports both experiences were well received by students and extremely valuable giving them additional information to make important decisions as they transition from high school student into the wider community.

Senior students will be entering a heavy assessment period in the coming weeks, though there has been some slight changes made to the format of Block exams. Year 12 students will complete assessment by the end of Week 5 and are required to attend each and every day. The Year 10 and 11 students will be entering an external block exam period in Week 8 and this requires students to only attend school when they have an exam identified on their timetable. Students will be given an individual exam timetable later in the term.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

We are near the end of the school year and it is a very important time, particularly financially because we require all accounts to be finalised for 2018. Of particular significance is Year 10 subject selections and Year 12 final payments. Without payment, it may affect your child’s eligibility for that subject and/or participation in end of school events and activities.

In every even week of term a Statement of Account is emailed to you. 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 have finalised their students subject fees. Final payments are now due. 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.

We are busy preparing for both end of year and for the start of next year. Thank you for returning your signed Student Resource Scheme(SRS) forms for 2019. We will be invoicing the $300.00 fee by Week 8 this term, once we finalise classes, subjects and other timetable processes. SRS 2019 fees are due by the end of Term 2, 2019. We appreciate your cooperation with making on-time payments.

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. I look forward to receiving your payments over the coming weeks so that we can start the year in a positive financial position. Your contribution is valuable and we thank you for your participation in the SRS.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your students account.

QParents is an Education Queensland Portal that allows parents to access their child’s financial invoices/payments, reports, absences/attendance and timetable all in one place. You are also able to make payments directly from this portal for outstanding invoices and is Education Queensland’s preferred method of payment.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

P& C Executive

COME AND JOIN THE FUN

The P&C executive are really excited that everything is on track for our first annual COLOUR RUN here at COOLUM HIGH on Friday afternoon, 2 November at 3.00pm.

The P&C association are excited to have the Coolum State High School Community there to have a blast( of colour) and to help raise funds for the covered bike shed.

Tickets to the event will be $10.00 per entry which includes a raffle ticket for EVERY participant, to go into the draw to win a number of great prizes!! These include vouchers for the movies, the Coolum Blast Aqua Park and the Burrito Bar, just to name a few.

To purchase tickets please use the link below or tickets will be available at the school administration office.

A sausage sizzle, drinks and snacks will be on sale.

Please contact us via email pandcexecutive@coolumshs.eq.edu.au if you would like to volunteer on the day or to make a donation.

Thank you to everyone who has donated equipment, prizes or is volunteering to help at the event.

Monica Kutt
Vice President

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

CURRENT APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIP VACANCIES

School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeship (SATs) Vacancies

Under a SAT arrangement, a senior school student is released from school time to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship in their chosen field. For further information, please speak to a staff member at the VET office.

Full Time Apprenticeship Vacancies

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

Certificate II Plumbing & Certificate I Construction

WynMET (RTO #0677) are excited to be offering a Certificate II in Plumbing and a Certificate 1 in Construction, funded by the Queensland Government under the VETiS (VET in Schools) initiative. This course offers graduates the opportunity to gain credit for competencies towards relevant Apprenticeships. Commitment is one day per week for approximately 30 week’s course duration (One school year).

This certificate will be offered at Maroochydore and Noosa locations. Pending interest levels, the school would consider a bus to support students to travel to and from the training facility. In addition, should we have a strong number of enrolments there is a possibility of having this course delivered at Coolum State High School. Please see the VET Office for an enrolment form or to ask any questions.

Certificate II Kitchen Operations

Held in the Coastal Cookery Trade Training Centre located at Maroochydore SHS and delivered in partnership with TAFE Queensland. Students attend one day a week and have the opportunity to participate in a range on and off-site functions. This certificate focuses on back-of-house skills in food preparation and cookery. For further information, please speak to a staff member at the VET office.

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

International Students Program

At the start of this term we welcomed three new international students, from Chile. They are in Year 10 and will complete their studies at the end of the year.

Antonia, Sebastian and Jose are practising their English (conversational and written skills), enjoying our beautiful environment and learning to surf. They are making friends, enjoying our unique environment and all the wonderful things that the Sunshine Coast offers.

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

School Bus Pass information for 2019

Q: What is a Buslink Bus Pass?

A: The Queensland Government’s School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance to enable eligible school students to attend education facilities. The Buslink Bus pass is distributed if you are eligible for such assistance

Q: Will I need to apply for a new bus pass for 2019?

A: If the below circumstances have changed for you and/or your student then you will need to apply for a new Buslink Bus Pass:

• your child is moving from primary school to secondary school
• you have changed address
• you have changed travel days
• you have enrolled them at a different school

Q: What happens if I currently have a Buslink Bus Pass and my circumstances haven’t changed?

A: Buslink will automatically print off a 2019 Buslink Bus pass for you and you will need to collect it from either your AM Buslink Bus Driver or at published pick up points at your school.

Q: How do I apply for a Buslink school travel pass?

A: Your child may be eligible for free bus travel. To download an application form head to your bus service Sunshine Coast. You can email your completed application to info.sunshinecoast@buslink.com.au or post to 11 Page St, Kunda Park Qld 4556.

If you don’t have access to a printer you’re welcome to ask one of our friendly Buslink drivers or come in to our office for an application.

Q: If my student is ineligible for a full Buslink Bus Pass travel, and only eligible for a Part Buslink Bus Pass, how do I pay the top up fare?

Students with a Buslink part pass (part payment) can purchase single, daily or weekly tickets from the bus driver using cash. If your student is travelling Monday to Friday in both morning and afternoons, it is cheaper to purchase a weekly ticket as you’ll receive a day free travel. Please do not pay your top up with a Go Card or you will be paying the full fare.

Q: If I’m not eligible for a Buslink Bus Pass, can I still travel on a Buslink Bus and how do I pay a fare?

If a student doesn’t qualify for a Buslink pass they will be required to pay the full cash fare or purchase a Go Card to save up to 30% off the full fare.

Q: If I or my child need a reminder of the Code of Conduct where do we find this information?

Buslink Buses are governed by the Code of Conduct. Similar to schools we have an expectation of behaviour that is acceptable on each bus and if that behaviour is breached then students will receive consequences for their behaviour. To view the code please go to: Code of conduct

Dates for your Diary

School Holiday Apex Camps

Please support our school this school holidays!

Are you looking to get your kids enjoying the outdoors this coming school holidays – and to give yourself a well-earned break?

Apex Camps Sunshine Coast runs an outdoor adventure school holiday drop-off program for kids aged 5-17 and is giving our school a $5 donation for every booking made using our special promo code!

Kids can choose from activities such as rock climbing, ropes courses, a mud pit challenge, archery, fencing and much more. The offer is valid on both single activities and day programs, for this coming Dec/Jan school holidays. Siblings and friends are also welcome to use the code – so please spread the word!

Your booking will not only provide much needed funds for our school - by booking with Apex Camps, you are supporting Apex Australia, improving the lives of young Australians.

Visit the website below to book, and enter code SH063