23 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Wow! Coolum High is on an absolute roll at the moment with plentiful success naturally following the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers. These outstanding results have occurred across our subjects and extra-curricular programs which is magnificent: success is achievable for our Coolum students in so many different areas of the curriculum. The potential we all know our Coolum kids have is emerging with force and precision: these students are excelling!

For our Music Academy students the incredible dedication they have shown over the past year has yielded excellent results, most recently being awarded ‘Gold’ at the Victorian Schools Music Festival. This followed their second prize at the Sunshine Coast Eisteddfod. The level of competition our ensembles were up against at the Eisteddfod cannot be overstated: the best of the most competitive high schools on the coast were represented. For our Concert Band to be awarded a 2nd place in their category and to have so many ensembles represented at the Eisteddfod is an absolute testament to the talent, grit and determination of our students and their conductors. Well done to our music students!

Across campus on our sporting fields, our athletics contingent at Districts were phenomenal! Amongst the many first, second and thirds were, most pleasing, a series of personal bests and new Districts records. Our students are showing that they are very talented, with wonderful athletic and teamwork skills. The students’ strong results show that they mentally have their mind on the task and are working well with their teachers and coaches.

In our Surfing Academy, Ellia Smith fulfilled her own personal goal and became the State Surfing Champion. What a champion result from a champion student. Ellia’s coaches attest that she is always the first to arrive and the last to leave at training, and is extremely hard working and dedicated. Ellia’s achievement is a tribute to Coolum High’s Surfing Academy, but more importantly, to the setting of goals and actioning them into success.

Debating is another area of success with Coolum High fielding nine teams each week. The Senior Debating Team is steam-rolling their way through the competition, defeating St Andrew’s and Matthew Flinders Anglican Colleges in successive weeks! What a fantastic achievement! Debating involves a highly developed set of speaking, analytical and argumentative skills, with each team scored on how they present a particular side of an argument: much like lawyers, high-level management or even teenagers who require something they know you aren’t that keen on giving them, do.

With our term now at a mid-point, all students are encouraged to work and study hard to achieve their goals. The success our students are experiencing is testament to what setting goals and hard work can accomplish. Over the next few weeks, all students are encouraged to study hard in the direction of our goals. As the great American writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, said: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

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.

Safe travel to and from school

With our ever growing Coolum-Peregian community, there is more people and traffic movement 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 with more cars on the roads and students in our community any accident could potentially be very serious.

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 6.00pm-7:30pm in our new Smart Futures building.

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, career pathways and planning has been the focus for Year 10 students as they engaged with the SET Planning process. A significant majority of students and families have met with a team of Deputy Principals, Heads of Senior Schooling and Guidance Officers to discuss future career options and establish a plan to achieve the best possible outcome for each and every student. Our Year 10s conducted themselves with commitment and maturity through the process ensuring the day was productive.

Many of our middle school students have experienced tremendous success in the cultural and sporting arenas. Students from the Wind Symphony Academy travelled to Melbourne over the weekend to compete at the Victorian Schools Music Festival, winning Gold in the process. The trip was highly successful opportunity for our students to experience the broader cultural community and cement relationships with each other and their peers from other schools. Our Regional Athletics Sports team had a brilliant day of competition at regional athletics last week, many of the competitors smashing records and winning their events. They are a credit to themselves, their families and our school community.

The consistent thread through all of the success is commitment. Our students have demonstrated consistent commitment and attendance in these teams in order to strive to the heights of success currently being achieved. In the academic arena excellence in learning comes with excellent attendance. As educators, we are informed by research to drive and improve our practice. The Research from the ‘Every Day Counts’ report (commissioned by the University of Western Australia’s Telethon Institute for Child Research for the Department of Education) very clearly highlights the close relationship between attendance and academic progress. Our school is currently tracking at 89.8% year to date attendance, with Years 8 and 11 showing the most improved attendance percentage for the week. Let’s all strive towards the ultimate goal of 100% attendance by coming to school every day possible.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Middle Secondary

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary

Year 10 SET Planning

The Year 10 Set Planning interviews were completed over the last two weeks to formally sign off on 2019 subject preferences. Student subject preferences will be continually reviewed in Term 3 and 4 against subject prerequisites. This process will ensure students have greater levels of success in Year 11 2019.

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)

It is important that parents and students understand the requirements of the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) at all stages of their senior schooling journey. At Coolum SHS we have set a goal of 100% QCE attainment for our Year 12 cohort. The table below gives a snap shot of the four categories that students are required to achieve to gain a QCE. Parents are encouraged to visit the QCAA website should they require additional information.

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 website 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 gets the best from their time at Coolum State High School.

We are in week 6 and the Statement of Account will be emailed to you this week and each fortnight until the end 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 Week 9 of Term 3 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 us 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

More excitement and plenty of COLOURFUL times ahead!

The P&C would like to thank all those who came along and supported the first annual Trivia Night on Friday 3 August. With 12 tables and a positive and fun vibe, the night was a great success in building community relationships and raising funds for the school.

But wait! We have more in store for the rest of the year. Fathers’ Day is coming and we have a raffle with some fabulous prizes thanks to local Coolum Businesses. Mitre 10, Castaways Barbers and Freetime Surf are just a few of the local businesses donating prizes. Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5 and are on sale around the school, at the administration office, canteen and uniform shop. You might even see a few of the executives around before and after school selling tickets. As always, any money raised goes straight back to the school to help initiatives like the bike shed and canteen upgrade.

Also make sure you have the afternoon of the Friday 2 November set aside for the GREAT COOLUM HIGH COLOUR RUN. Why should the primaries have all the fun, we say? We are planning a fabulous afternoon of activities with lots of colour and water experiences with the focus on our obstacle course. It will be a carnival of sorts, with refreshments, a sausage sizzle and music, creating a festival atmosphere. It will be a chance for the whole school to join in for some fun and frivolity before the serious end of the year starts for the senior students. More details to follow soon.

Monica Kutt
Vice President

Wind Symphony Academy news

Our Wind Symphony Academy have recently returned from a very successful trip to Melbourne. Combined with the Concert Band and Instrumental Music teachers from Beerwah State High School, 41 students participated in the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The Festival held at the beautiful Hawthorn Arts Centre provides many opportunities for students and teachers including a performance goal, to listen to interstate groups of similar standard, to work with leading educators from Australia and overseas and to provide important feedback as to the overall performance and direction of the ensemble.

The Coolum High School students played extremely well at the competition and deservedly won a Gold Award. Throughout the festival there were bands from all over Victoria as well as South Australia, Tasmania and even Mainland China.

It was a very busy 4 days as the group explored Melbourne’s CBD, savoured the delights of the Queen Victoria Markets, saw the city from 88 floors up on the Eureka Skydeck, wandered through the Australian Moving Images Museum and experience the hustle and bustle of city life. A highlight of the trip was having the Concert Master of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Dale Barltrop, speak to the group before attending the “Bernstein on Broadway” concert in Hamer Hall at Southbank. Dale spoke to the students about his musical journey that started at Ferny Grove State School in Year 3 and has seen him following his passion for music from Australia to America and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and back to Australia. He was inspirational as he spoke of his love for music and for his large “family” that is the ninety piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

I have nothing but praise for the students on how well they behaved and cooperated during the entire trip. There were some big days which meant tired students but even the youngest students handled themselves so well. I consider myself extremely lucky and proud to work with these students and look forward to many more adventures with them.

Sharelle Guest
Wind Symphony Teacher

School Debating

This Wednesday, Coolum State High School will compete in Round 3 of the Sunshine Coast Schools Debating Competition. Rounds 1 and 2 saw our Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams verse a selection of schools from all over the Sunshine Coast to debate topics including “That the banning of plastic bags by supermarkets is pointless” and “That image adjustment in advertising should be illegal.” With only one hour to prepare their speeches prior to each debate, students have been working frantically each Wednesday to brainstorm as a team and then write the best speeches they can in the time.

For many of our Junior and Intermediate debaters, the competition has provided their first experience of debating and for many speakers, Round 1 was their first ever debate. All teams have represented our school admirably and have been working hard to secure a win.

Students in our Junior teams include: Cody, Patrick, Ella, Sonny, Andrew, Polly, Haylee, Joley, Kailyn, Carmen, Zoe, Louisa Abbey and Lucius.

Our Intermediate teams include: Callum, Mikayla, Leon, Elka, Danielle, Eli, Ben, Taylah, Kirra, Pearl, Cleo , Chas and Shay. Special thanks to Taylor and Amika for helping out as reserves.

Our Senior team, comprised of Sarina, Mika and Tyler, has had an amazing start to the season. They won against St. Andrews Anglican College in Round 1 and then went on to verse Matthew Flinders Anglican College, and won again in Round 2. Our seniors clearly demonstrate the benefits of hard work, dedication and commitment, as they compete together as a team for their third year in a row.

This week the teams will be versing Nambour State College, Chancellor State High School, Siena Catholic College and Matthew Flinders Anglican College. We look forward to some great results. Go Coolum!

Colette Webber
Teacher

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

National Skills Week at Coolum High

From the 27 August – 2 September is National Skills Week. National Skills Week is the focal point for the promotion of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training sector (VET). Each year the week continues to celebrate and inform students and the wider public of the diversity and career pathways available through VET. The week communicates the emerging trends and new growth drivers connecting skills training with job outcomes.

This year, Coolum State High school will be celebrating the week by connecting with our Industry Reference Group partners to provide a series of presentations and workshops during the week in different classes to promote real skills for real careers.

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

Sport News

District Athletics:

Last week 85 students headed to the University of the Sunshine Coast to participate in the District Athletes Carnival. Coolum High came in 5th place overall with fantastic efforts by our students.

Coolum can celebrate three of the Age Champion’s with the 13-year-old girls sweeping the podium taking out 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th A marvellous feat against tough competition.

12 years

Age Champion – Taij Roberts
Runner Up – Zander McRae

13 Years

Age Champion – Chloe Baker
Runner up – Jemima Bainbridge
3rd Olivia Llewellyn
5th Kobi Higgins

15 Years

Age Champion – Cian Mallon

16 Years

Runner Up – Calder Shanks

12 Years Boys

13 Years Girls:

13 Years Boys:

14 Years Girls:

15 Years Girls:

15 Years Boys:

16 Years Girls

16 Years Boys:

17+ Boys

Girls Rugby Union

Girls Rugby Union has kicked off at Coolum State High School for 2018 with the school fielding an U14 team in the Wednesday afternoon SCSSRU competition.

Round 1 saw the team travel to Siena to take on last year’s U14 winners Siena Catholic College. The girls had a tentative start as they learned the game, scoring one try and conceding two in the first half to go into half time down 5-10. However, the Siena team couldn’t break the line in the 2nd half due to physical defence and a couple of big tackles out over the sideline when they tried to attack wide. We capitalised on our opportunities to score 3 tries and win the game 20-10.

The team travelled to Noosa Rugby Union Club to play St Teresa’s last Wednesday. Whilst they conceded the first try almost immediately from the kick off. Coolum dominated possession in the game, turning over the ball through quality defence and counter rucking. The St Teresa’s team struggled to hold the ball for more than a couple of phases. Final score, 41-19 to Coolum.

Next week the girls play St John’s at Noosa Rugby Union Club at 4.30pm.

Dates for your Diary