6 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to what promises to be another fantastic year where Coolum State High reaches for greatness! I hope all of our families enjoyed some restful time together, enjoying the sunshine and avoiding the blue bottle stings. After an extremely busy 2018, I was very thankful for some quiet time with my family, relaxing in this beautiful place we all call home and am recharged, ready for the year ahead.

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new Year 7 students and their families to Coolum High, along with the new Year 7 Deputy Principal, Mr Anthony Swan. Mr Swan comes to us from Buddina State School and will add huge value to the administration team and our youngest cohort.

What an absolute pleasure it has been to come back to Coolum SHS in 2019, especially with our students arriving on Day 1 looking simply magnificent, ready to learn and positioned for success. In particular, our seniors couldn’t look better, with their new formal ties being worn with pride in their roles as the school’s leaders. They look absolutely fantastic! The school grounds have also been improved with painting and maintenance along with the refurbishment of what some believe is the most important building in the entire school: the canteen. Yes, Coolum SHS is most definitely open and ready for the business of excellence.

Our current Year 12s have received some healthy inspiration from their predecessors to start the year, with the 2018 Seniors producing Coolum’s best ever OP results. 100% of the cohort were awarded their QCE, 22% achieved an OP1-5, 60% achieved an OP 1-10 and an unprecedented 84% achieved an OP 1-15! Congratulations to the 2018 Year 12s on all your hard work and well-deserved results! Looking forward, our current seniors have already indicated that their results will be even better. With a stronger focus on learning and a culture of striving for greatness, our students are beginning to believe that they belong to one of the best schools on the coast and this is being translated into better results and improved achievement.

During the Student Free Days a few weeks ago, our teachers listened to a talk about ‘greatness’ and ways in which certain organisations and individuals achieve greatness. One particular example which struck a chord, was that of Muhammad Ali, who considered himself (and actually became) “The Greatest” professional boxer of all time, an activist and philanthropist. Ali grew up as a black person in the racially segregated American South during the 1940s and 50s, with limited opportunities and fewer prospects. However, through honing his strengths both physical and mental, believing in and talking about his own greatness and completing the work to back it up, he became one of the world’s best known and most revered sportspersons. For us here at Coolum, the message is clear and Ali said it best himself: “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it- then I can achieve it.” Our students have enormous hopes and dreams for their future and it is up to us as teachers, parents and the community to help them believe in themselves enough to work at and achieve them. Let’s get behind our kids! They have risen to the high expectations we have set for them in regards to uniform, behaviour and attendance and in turn, their results are improving. With our Academy programs going from strength to strength and a feeling of pride permeating our campus, this school is becoming a place where almost any achievement is possible.

I am incredibly proud of the progress this school has made toward becoming that kind of organisation where greatness is not simply a goal, but our signature. Coolum SHS is on the way to becoming one of the greatest school’s on the coast and that is exciting for all of us. 2019 is going to be a magnificent year!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 7

It is exciting times to be the new Deputy Principal at Coolum State High School. This progressive school is achieving great pathways for students with our highly motivated teachers. I am looking forward to developing new programs and enhancing successful existing programs of 2018.

I’ve been employed with Education Queensland since 1990. I started my career at Murgon, Cherboug and Proston before moving to the Sunshine Coast Region at the end of 1993. Whilst in the Sunshine Coast Region I have worked as a teacher in numerous schools and later as a Deputy Principal at Buddina State School. I am passionate about guaranteeing the best educational facility that will deliver appealing destinations for all students. Coolum State High School is fast becoming the premier ‘Reading to Learn’ school in Australia. This pedagogical process will ensure that each student has the ability to excel in their subject selections, ultimately leading to their desired tertiary study or employment.

As at previous schools, I believe a school should be a place where students look forward to attending each day and is one that is desired by students from other areas. We are achieving this with our many programs, including the Academy programs of Instrumental Music, Surfing, Basketball, Touch, Cheerleading and our new Academy program of Young Entrepreneurs. The fantastic success in 2018 of the existing programs has laid the foundation for continued excellence in 2019.

It was wonderful to see our students smartly presented in their formal uniforms on my first day of school. It demonstrated the pride they have in themselves and their school. With the welcoming staff and pleasant students, the transition into my new role has been a wonderful career change. I look forward to working with all students and all members of our community in the years to come

Anthony Swan
Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 8 & 9

Our Vision: That students have the confidence, desire and belief to succeed through strong foundations in literacy and numeracy.

Come and hear from Dr Michael Nagel! Wednesday 13 February at 6.00pm.

We are so excited to start 2019 with a free parent information session presented by Dr Michael Nagel. Mike is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Dr Nagel presented for parents in 2018 and the session was both informative and entertaining.

The topic for the presentation this year is Everything is NOT Awesome: Technology and the Teen Brain!

• What are the most important things you can do to foster healthy development in young minds?
• What might technology and smartphones be doing to a developing brain?
• How advantageous is technology in terms of educational outcomes?

In this presentation, Dr Michael Nagel, one of Australia’s leading experts in the developing paediatric brain, shares what the latest science has to say about the impact of technology on young people with a particular focus on how smartphones may be at the forefront of a growing number of developmental problems and mental health issues.

The overall aim of the presentation is to provide parents with some of the latest insights into current issues and challenges around young people and technology, along with some strategies for combating potential problems associated with those issues.

This is an opportunity not to be missed. All parents and families are welcome to attend – Wednesday 13 February at 6.00pm in the Brahminy Kite room (Smart Futures building).

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal – Middle Secondary Year 10

Excellence in everything we do

Every Day Counts!

It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you all back to 2019 as Deputy Principal Middle Senior Schooling and Inclusion. I am looking forward to working with and celebrating the successes of our senior learners in 2019, in particular Year 10.

Our consistent message to all students at Coolum High this year is: academic excellence occurs when students have excellent attendance. At Coolum SHS we have an attendance goal of 92+%. We are committed, at every level of schooling, to students taking responsibility for their attendance and will continue to support students and families to ensure the best individual attendance outcomes for every student.

In addition to the strong attendance in the senior school our students are looking fantastic in their formal uniform, with the addition of the new senior ties. We know that wearing a uniform creates a strong sense of community. Many have written about the direct correlation between students wearing a uniform with pride and a deep respect for fellow students, teachers and the community in which they grow up in. We also know that wearing a uniform in a corporate, professional manner prepares students for a range of workplace expectations for suitable dress.

At Coolum State High School, we are committed to students looking their best, doing their best and achieving the success they need in order to reach the ambitious goals they set for themselves.

I am looking forward to working with you all in 2019 and seeing just how far our students can go. The sky is the limit!

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Middle Secondary

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

During the first weekend of the Christmas holidays Coolum SHS received news that the 2018 Year 12 OP students achieved the best OP results ever in the history of the school. These amazing results were in addition to the 100% QCE already achieved earlier in the Term 4. These results alone highlight the massive improvements we have made in senior schooling at Coolum SHS and we will use these results as a foundation for success for 2019.

The senior schooling team and teachers of senior classes have hit the ground running from day one to ensure we emulate the successes of 2018. The Senior Schooling team is comprised of the Senior Schooling Deputy Principal, Senior Schooling Head of Department, Vocational Education and Training Head of Department, Guidance Councillors and Heads of Year have developed a clear agenda for 2019 that focuses on student support, destinations and excellent student outcomes. In 2019 we have set some challenging goals to ensure we continue our journey of continual improvement. Coolum SHS is again committed to obtaining 100% QCE and achieving the best OP results in the school’s history. In addition to this we aspire to ensure that every graduating Year 12 student transitions into a meaningful destination.

The senior schooling team will continue to work hard to ensure students are fully aware of their academic performance. As we move quickly through the term it is important that all students are developing good time management skills and study habits. We recommend that for those students on an OP pathway they study upward of 3 hours a day. This will give students the foundation to be successful in their chosen subjects.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

Welcome to 2019! Thank you to the families that have returned the Student Resource

Scheme (SRS) form for 2019. If you have not received an SRS form please contact the school office immediately. The SRS funds go directly to classroom resources and helps us provide quality teaching and learning items for your child’s learning. Parent SRS participation is very important for your child and to the school, so we appreciate the ongoing support we have from the parent community for this scheme.

We don’t want your child to miss out, so don’t hesitate to discuss your financial options with me. I remind you that BPOINT is available for direct debits into the school bank account, call the office to find out how to set this up. It’s very easy to do and takes only a couple of minutes to set up. I encourage all families to take up this option.

Before a student can be considered for participation in an optional school activity, a parent is expected to have:

• fully paid all outstanding fees or
• paid the Student Resource Scheme and other outstanding fees up to and including the term in which the school activity takes place or
• made regular on-going payments towards these fees, as previously arranged with the Principal or Business Manager
• been exempted by the Principal from paying all or part of these fees

We’ve been busy over the summer holidays with the maintenance of our grounds and facilities and it is great to receive your emails and positive comments. We have had the whole school externally painted and the amenities have been painted both internally & externally which has given the school a much needed face-lift. We have also been busy refurbishing the school canteen which will be ready in early Term 2 this year. In the meantime we have been trading from the AFL Clubhouse. Also, as part of our long-term Furniture and Asset Replacement Plans, the Humanities block has been furnished with new student tables and chairs so our students are getting the most out of their learning environment.

A lot more will happen this year around our facilities and grounds improvements and I look forward to providing the details in due course.

QParents information

QParents is an Education Queensland Portal that allows parents to access their student’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. Please refer to the flyer below for more information.

I wish all our families a safe and happy holiday season. I hope you will have the chance to relax and unwind, ready for another exciting year at Coolum High.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

P& C Executive

Welcome to the 2019 school year to all past and new families from us, the P & C Executive- Nicole, Monica, Suzette and Nolly. We are excited to begin the New Year and all the possibilities for growth and positive outcomes that lay ahead for Coolum State High School. Please stay tuned via the newsletter, emails and social media, as we are the key fundraising arm of the school, supporting the facilities and programs on offer for our students. We would like to invite you to attend our committee meetings and become involved in what we do. The meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of every month at 6pm at the school, starting Monday 18th February 2019.

The big news in 2019 is the canteen renovation. As one of our key fundraising arms, the new improved canteen will open by mid-2019 to become an updated, state of the art facility to offer students, staff and parents (via catering for events), great food from which all profits go straight back to the school for resources and facilities. We are so excited! There will be a naming competition early in Term 2 to give the canteen a brand and logo, so it’s not just “THE canteen”.

While the canteen is under renovation, the canteen is operating in a modified form, out of the AFL shed near the ovals. Thanks to the support of the Coolum Breakers and the canteen manager Andrew Barry, this is possible and viable. Whilst a bit of a walk, we can still offer a terrific menu, with a few extra specials and treats to make the effort of the walk worthwhile.

The P&C would appreciate volunteers to help in the canteen this term and in the new facility. The canteen hours are from 7.30am to 2.00pm Monday to Friday. If you cannot do a whole day even just during one break time for an hour would be greatly appreciated: e.g. for Breakfast 7.30am- 8.30am, morning tea 11.00am – 12.00pm (the busiest time) and lunch 1.00pm till 2.00pm. An hour can really help the canteen run more efficiently. Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, older siblings, carers etc are all welcome. A Blue Card is required for compliance to work in a school with students, it is free for volunteers. Here is the link to the online application form.

Our P&C email is pandcexecutive@coolumshs.eq.edu.au and we look forward to hearing from you if you are available to help.

Stay tuned for major fundraising events information, including the annual Trivia Night that will occur in Term 1 this year.

Monica Kutt
Vice President

Science at Coolum SHS

NYSF Year 12 Program 2019 by Olivia Williams

The National Youth Science Forum Year 12 Program was an opportunity presented to me by one of the many passionate science teachers here at Coolum State High School. At first, I was hesitant about putting forward an application, but now I realise how inspirational and engaging these opportunities have the potential to be. So, what is the NYSF Year 12 Program? It essentially consisted of myself and about 200 other science enthusiasts spending twelve days at the Australian National University in Canberra. The entire trip had such a great atmosphere, and I was surrounded by so many like-minded people who shared my passion for science and anxieties about entering the final year of school.

Each student was allocated an interest group depending on their subject interests. I was part of a physics group and had the opportunity to visit three facilities that were directly relevant to this field. We visited the Research School of Physics and Engineering (ANU), CSIRO and the Stromlo Observatory. At the visits we listened to people speak about their research, were given a guided tour of the facility, and engaged in a variety of activities. I could go on about all the different activities we participated in, but the point is what this program has to offer is well beyond the experiences of a typical school environment. I highly recommend this opportunity to any future Year 12 students. You will gain friendships and knowledge and a motivation to succeed.

Paul Olsen
Science Head of Department

Mathematics at SHS

A warm welcome back to parents and students. 2019 is a big year for our first group of students entering the New QCE system in Year 11. Students will already be seeing and feeling changes as they move into a fast pace curriculum that demands extended focus, exemplary note taking and solid study routines. The need for revision/study time at home is a must and routines need to be established early. Students in Year 11 will soon receive brand new learning resources which include online study support through the StudyOn and OneNote platforms. These resources will continue to grow and will become a vital part of the pathway to success. The technology demands of the New QCE are high and all students will benefit from access to a digital device.

Parents of Year 7,8,9 students will notice weekly homework sheets being sent home with students. These sheets are distributed, and are due, on the same day each week. We are currently investigating support options for homework (for both students and parents) and are aiming to have QR codes embedded before the end of Term One.

It is great to see students arriving prepared to class with books, calculators and rulers. Calculators are essential tools in the maths classroom and students who lack them can be at a disadvantage. We strongly encourage parents to regularly check their student’s equipment. Teachers also note missing equipment and will make contact for students who regularly arrive without their essential tools.

Dean Hose
Mathematics Head of Department

Brilliant Musicians News

Welcome back to 2019 and a huge welcome to Coolum SHS new families.

It’s going to be a huge year for students enrolled into our Brilliant Musicians program this year and there’s plenty I’d like to share with you all.

In Term 4 last year our team worked closely together to strengthen the outcomes and opportunities for students enrolled in our Brilliant Musicians and Instrumental Music Academy programs here at Coolum.

This year I will be running our Brilliant Musicians program on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30am — 8:30am in PA6.

The Monday and Wednesday schedule allows for Wind Symphony students to also attend rehearsals on a Thursday morning.

We will commence Brilliant Musicians for 2019 on Monday 11 February.

If parents and students are available on Monday 11 February, I will be launching the Brilliant Musicians program for 2019 in the PA Theatre from 3:45 - 4:30pm.

You are all most welcome to attend where we will explain in more detail our program structure and opportunities for engagement with Tertiary and Industry Groups throughout 2019.

I’m really looking forward to getting things started with the students from Week 3 and I can’t wait to hear what they produce in 2019

Rohan Hardy
Creative Arts Head of Department

Tutorials – Homework Club

Tutorials – Term 1

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Welcome back to the school year! 2019 sees Coolum High continuing to offer a range of vocational pathways and alternate study programs to students as we seek to ensure that every student at Coolum High transitions into further Training or Employment.

Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways - Year 10 and 11

This year, all students in Year 10 and 11 are undertaking a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways. This course is designed to provide opportunities for the development of key employability skills. In the first part of the course, classes will be engaged in professional resume development and cover letter writing to prepare for a Mock Interview with an external industry representative in early Term 2.

It is vital that students have access to a BYOD device for this course as a virtual classroom learning environment is used. Please assist your student by encouraging them to have their device charged and ready for use every Wednesday. If your student does not have a device, please contact me to discuss alternative options.

Year 10 Work Experience

This year all Year 10 students will be participating in a compulsory work experience placement in Term 2 from Monday 13 – Friday 17 May. Students are required to approach employers to secure their own placement. Further details will be sent home in the next week.

School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SATs)

This year we will continue to maximise the number of School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeship opportunities (SAT) available to our students due to our expanding links with industry. 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 will be advertised in each addition of our e-newsletter as well as via Student Daily Notices and year level e-mails. Students who are interested in undertaking a SAT as part of their pathway, should come to the VET office in DBA for further information.

By completing a Vocational Pathways Expression of Interest (EOI) form, students will be registered to receive further information and support.

TAFE at School Programs in 2019

Several of our senior students are commencing their TAFE at School qualifications during Week 2. If you are involved with any of these courses, please ensure that you are aware of when students are expected to be attending TAFE. Student timetables will be adjusted to reflect attendance at an off-campus school activity. If you do get an absence alert, please respond to this and get your student to come to the VET office in DBA upon their return to school to ensure our system is accurate.

Please contact me on 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)

General News

The Lions Australia Day Award Winner is one of our own!

Coolum Lions have selected Year 8 student, Isabella Barry, as the Australia Day Citizen of the Year. She was presented with an award at a ceremony in Tickle Park, Coolum Beach at 12.00pm last Saturday.

Isabella has been involved in a range of worthy projects in the community. She recently started a Go Fund Me page and organised a family fun day to raise money for underprivileged children at a school in India. Isabella has also been described as an eco-warrior and has been instrumental in banning plastic straws from the Coolum State High School Canteen.

Isabella and her family are over the moon about her award and she is very excited to be acknowledged publicly for her efforts by Coolum Lions Club.

Isabella was gracious in her acceptance of the award. Isabella was asked to do a speech and spoke beautifully and was very humble. Coolum State High School even got a mention and Isabella thanked her supportive teachers in helping her reach her goals. Congratulations Isabella. You are an asset to our school and wider community.

Womens Coolum Football Club

We are trying very hard to encourage junior girls from the ages of 12-16 to come and try soccer on Wednesday 6 February from 5.30 to 6.30 pm at the Coolum football Club David Low Way near the swimming pool.

As it is a trial there is no commitment to play however if you are interested the club has put an incentive in place and will give a $50 discount on registration for 2019 season.

Please contact Trina Elkington VP for Women’s Football at Coolum Football Club.
wonenscoolumfc@gmail.com

Australian Student Exchange

Would your student be interested in and Australian Student Exchange experience?

WEP are holding an information session at Kawana 14 March at 7.00pm

Attached is a flyer with the details of the session.