22 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to our 2018 graduates! Over the past few weeks they have completed their final assessments and attended numerous important events with maturity and dignity, concluding their schooling with the magnificent formal graduation last Tuesday. I am so pleased to announce that the 2018 Year 12s have been outstanding in their final year at Coolum State High School with the following results:

• 100% of our Year 12s graduating with a QCE
• Highest number of ‘A’ achievements in the QCS Test
• 22 early entry placements into USC already confirmed for 2019

These achievements are incredibly important not just for these graduates, but for our current Year 11 and 10s and our entire Coolum community.

Having set the bar on these high standards, our Year 12s have displayed the kinds of grit and determination required to make their post-school plans happen and have made amazing progress towards them. They have shown categorically that Coolum students have the potential to exceed the expectations previously placed upon them and are more than capable of achieving consistently excellent results amongst the Sunshine Coast’s schools. For our Year 11 and 10s, this standard will become the expectation; they have the potential and are ready for the challenges and excitement being a Senior in 2019 will present.

For next year’s Seniors, now is the time to formulate a post-school plan, one they can aspire to and which will motivate them to ‘push on’ with their studies when the going gets tough in 2019. For the 22 Year 12 students with an acceptance letter into the University of the Sunshine Coast already in their hands as they walk away from Coolum State High School, that plan has given them peace of mind, purpose and a clear path to a bright future. I believe this is an excellent way to secure a future pathway and would strongly encourage parents and their senior students to look into the USC’s early entry program as a way of guaranteeing robust options for their children beyond Coolum SHS.

Finally, as the last senior newsletter for the year, I would like to congratulate our Year 12s on a strong finish to their schooling and to wish them safe celebrations with their family and friends. To our Year 11 and 10 students; next year will bring a much more advanced level of academic expectation and responsibility, so please have a safe and restful holiday, ready on your return to aim for excellence in January and an even stronger 2019. Have a great holiday to all our Seniors and their families!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary

With the Year 12 cohort leaving us last Friday our attention now moves to the Year 10 and 11 students as they prepare for their final assessments. Year 10 and 11 students will be entering an external exam block period in Week 8. This will require students to only attend school when they have an exam identified on their timetable. Students have been given a exam block timetable earlier in the week and a master copy emailed to each of them. It is important that students follow the assessment guidelines when entering an exam block particularly if they are ill during an exam and cannot attend.

Year 11 academic and attendance data is being analysed to identify those students that require a QCE at risk interview. These interviews will be held in the last two weeks of school and parents will be notified for suitable times. These at risk interviews are vital for ensuring student success in 2019.

To guide us in our continual improvement philosophy, I will be inviting Year 12 students back to school in Week 8 to attend a student forum. This forum will allow us to hear from students and gain insightful information regarding senior schooling which in turn will guide our planning for senior schooling in 2019 and beyond. Finally I would like to wish all of the Year 12 cohort all the very best fir the future and hope they have a safe and enjoyable schoolies celebrations.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

Congratulations Year 12 Class of 2018

What a fantastic way to end the year for our Year 12 students! The ‘cap and gown’ ceremony was a great success and I want to thank the families for their wonderful support and positive feedback. The students were able to keep their cap as a wonderful keepsake to remember for years to come. Thank you to the families that finalised their child’s account before their final departure from the school.

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 student 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 $300.00 for 2019 for all year levels. The 2019 SRS is payable now and is due by no later than the end of Term 2, 2019. Please complete and sign the SRS 2019 form and return it to the school as soon as possible.

Subject Fees 2019

We have also invoiced for subject fees for 2019. These are due by early Term 1 to secure your student’s place in that subject. We don’t want your student to miss out so please contact the office if you have any financial difficulties.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

Tutorials – Term 4

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

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: For further information, please speak to a staff member at the VET office.

Certificate 111 Business Administration, Diggerman, Coolum Beach
Certificate 11 Kitchen Operations/Chef, Barefoot Bar and Grill, Noosaville
Certificate 111 Hospitality, Coolum SHS Canteen, Coolum
Certificate 111 Hospitality (various roles), Aussie World, Sippy Downs
Café – Front of House (Customer service, taking orders, cleaning tables, coffees, cash handling)
Café – Back of House (Food prep, clean kitchen and equipment, work under pressure)
Wait and Bar Staff (will need RSA, prepare drinks, maintain bar, customer service, cash handling)

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.

2019 Apprentice Program - Department of Housing and Public Works

An exciting opportunity exists for students who may be interested in undertaking an apprenticeship in the construction industry.

The Department of Housing and Public Works are offering 20 positions across the state in the areas of carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing and refrigeration mechanical. Click here for further information including eligibility and instructions on how to apply.

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.

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.

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)

Head of Senior School News

A focus on the end goal

In my dealings with many senior students, one of the “lightbulb” moments that many of them experience is when they realise exactly why their education is so important to them. For some it is the realisation that they know what they want to do after school and for others it is knowing what they don’t want to do.

Sometimes it is facing the nature of work itself – being paid doing what you love is far more pleasant than doing what doesn’t inspire you. Many students benefit from part time work in more ways than just the financial. It can open their eyes to the reality of work and lead them to aspire to seek higher education rather than settle for something less than their potential. Having a goal to seek further education and avoid mundane jobs means that school becomes a means to an end – the qualification they seek or the employment opportunity they want.

Talking to our 15, 16 and 17 year-olds about their future can be hard work sometimes, but every opportunity to think and discuss can step them a little closer to an end goal which in turn makes it easier for them to stay motivated at school to reach that goal.

Students sometimes put off these “big” thoughts about their future because they can seem overwhelming and a little scary. By making the conversation relaxed and regular, some of the angst can be removed and it all seems less daunting. I would encourage you when you have the opportunity to start these conversations with your child let them know that it is OK if they don’t have all the answers yet, but to keep thinking and considering their options. Be gently persistent and patient as your child gets used to thinking and talking about their future. Perhaps through the conversations you have, they will experience their own “lightbulb” moment.

Sean Sweeney
Head of Senior Schooling

Student Services Year 12

Our Year 12s are now far away from Coolum High and their final memories of assessments, exams, Graduation Ceremony and Clap Out will be just that – memories.

At long last, Friday 16 November arrived – the final time they came through the school gates, or parked their cars precariously on the side of the hill. The last time their names were called on the roll and the last time we saw them before they left us forever to start a new life. And what an exciting life it’s going be!

On Tuesday night we celebrated their efforts and achievements at our inaugural Graduation Ceremony at the Calvary Centre, Tanawha. The night was exquisite and very fitting for the graduates who all conducted themselves beautifully with grace and poise. We have set a very high benchmark for future graduates and will always know that “we were the first”. The entire lead up to Graduation Week was seamless with a specially designed 6-week guest speaker rotation addressing topics such as Schoolies Week, young drivers and various ways of looking to the future. Students received information that would assist them to make informed decisions. Last classes with their teachers went all too quickly and suddenly Clap Out was here with the traditional procession of students through the Hall and the “last roll call”. Students who were first in their subjects were presented with medallions and the Spirit of Coolum award winner was Kara Petersen and Principal’s Award winner was Nathan Breheny. The cohort left in fine style, through a guard of honour from the junior students who wished them well in their future lives.

Being Head of Year 12 was a privilege and an honour. It’s a huge job, transitioning the 12s through the most important year of their schooling lives and organising events throughout the year to help support and encourage them. I hope that I created memories for them that they will keep forever. I could not have asked for a better cohort and am confident they will become the most amazing people, doing the most amazing things, in every corner of this Earth. I look forward to hearing about their exploits and how they have found their place in this exciting life.

I told them at Clap Out to make the ordinary, extraordinary. I have high hopes that they will do just that. Thanks for the memories Year 12!!

Alison Venning
Head of Year 12

University Sunshine Coast News

The 101 Day Gap Year

USC congratulates all Coolum State High School Year 12 students on finishing their secondary schooling. You did it! Well done. We especially congratulate the 22 students who have already received an offer through USC’s Early Offer Guarantee program and we look forward to seeing them and more students on campus next year.

Equally, USC also would like to recognise all the parents and school staff who have helped these students across the line.

It may come as a surprise, but there are in fact, 101 days between the last day of school and the first day of USC’s semester. To help students make the most of this time, USC is producing a weekly video series called the 101 Day Gap Year. These videos will follow the activities and advice of five USC Student Ambassadors as they make the most of this summer period – showing how students can recharge the batteries and do small things now that will make a big difference for the year ahead.

These videos will feature on USC’s social media channels such as USC’s Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. We encourage you to follow our 101 Day Gap Year journey by liking and subscribe our 101 Day playlist via the Vlogging USC channel.

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