1 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome our seniors of 2019 to what will be some of the most formative years of their lives. This is a golden time when friends for life are made, learning in all facets of life is achieved and goals and ambitions are realised. Coolum State High School is well situated to help our older students achieve their goals, ones which will position them superbly for life after school and well into their adult lives. More than anything, we want all of our senior students to be successful and to move onto lives of great purpose and fulfilment.

Being a successful senior student requires dedication, determination and the realisation success in Year 11 and 12 requires hard work. Within the classroom, our teachers have high expectations in regards to the effort and focus their students must engage with in every single lesson. Coolum High’s seniors need to know that they are as smart as, as talented as, as capable as and as brilliant as any students in any school in Australia. They really are capable of anything! I believe in them, and I know you do as well.

I look forward to watching our seniors grow into young men and women of whom Coolum can be proud. Together, let’s set our sights high, dream big dreams, believe big beliefs and shoot for the stars. By combining hard work with ambition anything is possible. If you have any concerns regarding your Year 12 student or their progress this year, please don’t hesitate to contact me. The future is now. Let’s attack it with everything we have!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal – Senior Secondary Year 10

Excellence in everything we do

In my last newsletter article to the whole school I wrote about the whole school community of teachers, parents, caregivers and students working together to plant the seeds of ambition. Being the champions of our young people and encourage them to challenge themselves, to not put limitations on themselves before they’ve tried to succeed.

For parents of year 10 students, now is the time to start planting the seeds!

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website contains some valuable pages for both parents and students around the process of admission to Tertiary education and key dates for open days and expos in 2019.

Information for Parents:

Information for Tertiary Open Days and Careers Expos

Knowledge is power. Take the time to visit these links and familiarise yourselves and your child with the information. Planning for these visits throughout the year can help students to start to picture themselves in their future and reinforce the motivation to succeed in year 10.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 10

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

It is now the mid-point for our Year 11 students studying in the new QCE system and we have seen some mixed results as students adjust to the demands of the new senior curriculum. It is critical that students understand the complexity of senior schooling and adjust their study and work habitats accordingly. The senior schooling team are concerned that the Year 11 cohort as a whole are not working to their potential and this has been evident from some early formative assessment results. As a result we recommend students organise themselves and their study spaces to make it easier to finish their tasks on time and not feel overwhelmed.

Organise yourself

• Create a study space that is free of distractions and has everything within reach.
• Keep a calendar on your wall and list the dates of your assessments.
• Get into a routine and set aside blocks of study time each day (2 to 3 hrs).
• Build 'free' time into each day for something you enjoy.
• Take regular breaks and move around to keep your mind and body active.
• Limit distractions such as social media.
• Allocate time each week to catch up with friends and family.

Organise your work

• Forward planning — understand the components of each task and how long they might take.
• Time management — make a plan and allow for unexpected events such as technology issues (they will always happen!) or changes in personal circumstances.
• Manage multiple deadlines — divide each assessment task into smaller 30-minute tasks (essay plan, essay introduction, essay body, etc.) and slot these into your calendar.

This advice is timely as students plan for the end of the Term 1 and enter exam blocks or finishing assessment.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

Business Services News

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.

Without full payment of SRS your child may be excluded from the Mid Winter Ball, senior jersey, Year 12 graduation and other non-curricular activities.

Subject Fees 2019

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

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.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

Tutorials – Homework Club

Tutorials – Term 1

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

At Coolum High, we are committed to every student transitioning into further education, training or employment. Our vocational programs play a huge role in making this achievable and offer a range of pathways that see every student succeeding.

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

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.

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 in DBA.

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.

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

Classes for Semester 1 TAFE at School qualifications during have now commenced. 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.

In Term 2, there will also be an opportunity for some Year 10 students to participate in a new-format “Trade Taster” program. Further details about this including an Expression of Interest process will be released shortly.

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)

University of the Sunshine Coast News

Is your child looking for a Headstart?

Did you know your student can start university even while they are still at school? USC’s Headstart program gives students the opportunity to get a taste of university and get possible credit towards a future degree, all while completing Year 11 or 12.

What is Headstart?

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

Students can select Headstart courses from a wide range of study areas, including engineering, song writing, game design, languages, psychology and law. It’s a great way for your student to try out the degree they’re considering, or to study an area of interest that isn’t offered by their school.

What are the benefits of my child completing Headstart?

Headstart students study on campus, in the same classes as current undergraduate students, and complete the same coursework, assignments and exams. They may also get credit for these Headstart subjects when they come to start their undergraduate degree, which can reduce their study load.

Headstart can also reduce the overall cost of your child’s degree. Because USC subsidises the cost of Headstart courses, the first course is free and the second course is only $400. (Scholarships are available to eligible applicants to cover this tuition fee.)

Completed Headstart courses do not count towards your child’s OP or ATAR, but can contribute toward their QCE: one course (with a required standard of achievement grade of 4 on a 7-point scale, or a Pass grade) counts for 2 QCE credits.

Students not OP or ATAR eligible can also use their two completed Headstart courses to gain entry into their preferred degree — a student’s results in their Headstart courses can be converted to a selection rank to meet the minimum selection threshold for entry into a degree (students still need to meet all perquisite study for their preferred degree).

How does my child apply?

To apply for Headstart, your child will need to be doing well at school (achieving at least a B-grade average) and have the skills and motivation to manage additional study alongside their schoolwork and other commitments. They will also need to get the support of their school’s Headstart coordinator, who can help them understand what to expect.

For advice on how to choose a Headstart course and what to expect, register for USC’s Headstart Information evening on Thursday 21 March at USC Sunshine Coast. You and your child can listen to the experiences of a Headstart student and learn about the process and key dates for applying.

Dates for your Diary