2 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to all our wonderful Coolum State High School families after what I hope was a restful break enjoying some time together. Term 2 is always a busy one, with curriculum and assessment in full flight, the enjoyment of the Mid-Winter Ball coming up for our Year 12s and extra-curricular activities with our amazing Academy students, wind and music ensembles heating up also. I would encourage each and every student to hold their end of year goals firmly within sight as this is where the difference is made: putting in the hard work now will ensure success in the future. Coolum SHS is a hive of activity, but this term also began with a time for us all to quietly stand still and reflect on the incredible sacrifices and important history of ANZAC Day.

We held our traditional ANZAC Day Ceremony on campus and, as always, our students displayed the kinds of deep respect and high standards of behaviour we have come to expect during this commemorative time. I would like to thank MP Mr Dan Purdie for attending and in particular, Mr Joe Daenens and Ms Melissa Lane from the Coolum-Peregian RSL Sub branch, for speaking at the ceremony; it is always much more meaningful for our students to hear from someone to whom ANZAC Day is more than marches and the Last Post, but a time to remember the very personal sacrifice he or she has made. People such as Mr Daenens and Ms Lane walk among us, the particulars of their tours of duty often known to very few, but their effort and sacrifice something everyone in our community is so very grateful for and indebted to. I was also extremely proud of our students contribution to the Coolum community’s Dawn Service held at the Coolum-Peregian RSL. Our students as speakers and musicians, including the drum band timing our march, showcased the quality of Coolum High’s students and their reverence for ANZAC Day. Congratulations to all students involved and the parents and teachers who have worked with them over many years to be able to perform in this environment.

As we set out on our term ahead, we do so with a great deal of hope for the success of all of our students. Students’ achievements on report cards have shown consistent improvement over the last two years. Our Year 12s are developing into a fine group of young men and women. Junior Secondary students are setting the platform for their success. Many Year 11 students are preparing to be the first Queensland cohort to receive an ATAR score. At the end of the day, high school is where our young people prepare for their future success in terms of the attitudes they foster, the discipline they create within themselves, the friendships they form, their partnerships with their teachers and the plans and goals they set for themselves. I can’t think of anywhere more vital and exciting to be than in a high school!

I sent an email to all parents regarding the NAPLAN tests that take place this term, on May 14-16, for Year 7 and 9 students. While much is made of NAPLAN in the media these days, the tests themselves are one small part of the schooling journey. NAPLAN tests provide parents, schools and students with important information on student progress, but need to be taken in the context that this information is balanced against all other known information about the student. While any test will cause some anxiety, NAPLAN should not be a major cause for alarm. All Coolum High students are encouraged to complete the exams so that parents and the school have this important piece of information in planning for their future. Our students are very capable and will no doubt do themselves proud.

On a final note, I would like to return to our theme of the importance of school attendance. Every day matters! Each day our students attend school, they are giving themselves the best chance to learn and succeed, and any day off school can affect students’ ultimate success. Every student in attendance each and every day is an important goal for our school community!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 7

NAPLAN

Our Year 7 and 9 practice NAPLAN test that was completed in Week 10, Term 1, has been very informative. All tests were marked over the holidays and the analysis will help inform specific skills that need to be developed with our students. As NAPLAN is a fantastic diagnostic test, the results can assist teachers with their planning for specific classes. Though the vast majority of students applied 100% effort, a few students needed extra encouragement during the practice session. I strongly encourage all families to discuss and stress the importance of their child applying their best effort in all aspects of lessons and assessment. This personal attribute will assist them in all aspects of their life. Students who do not apply their best effort do not give our teachers the accurate feedback that is required so that our teachers can plan to assist their academic development.

In Week 4 of this term all Year 7 and 9 students will participate in the NAPLAN test with exception of those students who have been withdrawn by their parents as detailed below. It is important for you and your child to know that NAPLAN is not a pass/fail test. It is a diagnostic test that identifies the skill development of your child. It simply looks at what level students are achieving in literacy and numeracy against National Standards and compared with student peers throughout Australia.

NAPLAN cannot be studied for and students are not expected to do so. The best way you can help your child is to urge them to do the best they can on the day.

For the NAPLAN test Students are required to take a 2B pencil and a pen with them. Water bottles are also permitted. A standard desk calculator is required for the first Numeracy test (iPad/mobile phone and graphics calculators are not permitted). No other books or materials are required.

Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. It is recommended that withdrawal be considered in consultation with our school. Formal notification must be received by our school prior to testing. These forms are available at our school office. Please contact our school should you wish to withdraw your child for these reasons.

ALPHA 2020 Information Evening

On 9 May there will be an information session for families of students entering Year 7 in 2020 who may be interested in applying for the ALPHA program. The information session will be held at 5:30pm in the Brahminy Kite room at Coolum State High School. All applications for the 2020 Year 7 ALPHA program must be received by our school office by 24 May 2019. Applications can be downloaded from the following link:

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.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parent-teacher interviews are held in Week 3 of this term on Wednesday 8 May. They are held in the Smart Futures building (G block) and run from 3:30pm – 6:30pm. Details about this event and information about how to book online to arrange an interview has been emailed directly to parents.

Should you be unavailable at these times, we encourage you to make direct contact with your child’s teacher to discuss progress.

Parent-teacher interviews are an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their teachers. It is often most valuable when your child attends with you. We encourage all parents to book meetings with their child’s teachers and discuss strategies to achieve success in the term ahead.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal –Senior Secondary Year 10

Excellence in everything we do

Welcome back to Term 2 for 2019. I trust that you all enjoyed some much-needed rest and relaxation over the holiday break and are ready for a busy term.

I’ve had the pleasure of looking over academic results for Year 10 students from Term 1 with many students achieving great results accompanied by very positive effort and behaviour.

Parents and students can book in to discuss progress with teachers at Parent/Teacher Interviews on Wednesday 8 May through the PTO booking system. I would encourage students and parents of Year 10 students to review their progress and have conversations with teachers to plan for improvement in this academic cycle.

A number of students have been accepted into the first round of the Trade Tasters Program held at TAFE Queensland Nambour campus. The program commences on the students allocated Tuesday or Friday from the week of the 29 April 2019 for the remainder of Term 2. Students have been sent letters explaining uniform/equipment requirements with reminder emails and texts sent out closer to the start date. The program was over-subscribed for this round across schools on the coast. We are hopeful that students wishing to experience the program will have the chance to apply for a Term 3 intake.

On Wednesday 8 May in conjunction with Parent/Teacher Interviews Senior Schooling Deputies will be running ATAR and New Senior Learning information sessions for parents of Year 10 students.

The 30 minute information session will run at 4:00, 4:30, 5:00 and 5:30pm in the Brahminy Kite room and will cover important information regarding the new Tertiary Entrance System and the implications for subject selections Year 10 SET planning.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 10

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

With the Easter holidays now behind us, we quickly move into Term 2 which will again be extremely busy term for our staff and students. On the last day of Term 1 academic report cards were emailed home to parents, if you did not receive your child’s report card please contact the school office. On Wednesday 8 May we will be holding parent teacher interviews in the new Smart Futures building. at the back of the school. Information letters have been emailed out informing parents how to request an interview with your child’s teacher.

In 2019 the Queensland Government introduced the new Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance System (ATAR) for Year 11 students. The new ATAR system or more commonly called New QCE has replaced the OP system for students looking for direct entry into tertiary education. To ensure parents have the necessary information and knowledge to assist their children through the senior subject selection process in 2019 we are holding parent information sessions during the parent teacher interviews. These 30 minute sessions will run from 4.00pm concluding at 6.00pm and we strongly encourage all parents of Year 10 students to attend one of these sessions.

During the first few weeks of term, senior reporting, attendance and behaviour data has been analysed to identify students that are at risk of not receiving a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). QCE at risk interviews with senior students will be taking place to identify the areas of concern and developing improvement strategies to ensure success in the next reporting period. Research has clearly identified that academic success is strongly linked to student attendance. This has been identified as an area that we can improve in. Coolum SHS places great emphasis on student attendance and we have set a target of 92% to reflect this.

Congratulations to the student body for the way they embraced and respectfully conducted themselves at both the school and community Anzac day ceremonies. Invited guests commented on how impressed they were with the level of respect shown by our students. It was also pleasing to see Coolum SHS students well represented and having key parts in the community Anzac day ceremony. Our school captains spoke with pride and the music students performed beautifully throughout the ceremony. Well done to all involved, it again highlights the amazing students we have here at Coolum SHS.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

Welcome back to Term 2. There has been a hive of activity over the last school holidays. We have been very busy completing a number of project works, including the completion of the refurbishment of the school canteen.

I am pleased to advise that the canteen was open for trading on day one of this term and the students loved the new facilities and the menu offerings. The naming competition for the canteen closes this Friday and we will announce the winner when we officially launch the opening of the canteen.

Other works during the holidays include major repairs to gutters, roofs and downpipes. Whilst not as exciting as the canteen refurbishment, still a very important part of the school maintenance program. Added to this, we ensure trees are trimmed and/or removed that are potential hazards and prove a safety risk. We also trim trees and branches that encroach on gutters and roofs.

We have also started the construction of the undercover link that will connect the Smart Futures Centre to the other undercover links, ensuring our students and staff stay dry when moving between buildings. These works will be completed in the next few weeks.

After a long and determined campaign to secure funding for increased security at our school, we have been successful in our application for CCTV Cameras. We have had installation of 17 cameras across the school to support our other security measures to minimise vandalism. Cameras also support and promote positive behaviour amongst our students. A fantastic result for the school and we thank the Education Department for the funds and the continued support of Coolum High.

As with every term holidays, our cleaners do a wonderful job of maintaining a high standard of cleaning, getting to the jobs that are not scheduled in the daily clean. Such things as extra cleaning of fans, extra high ceilings, high windows, screens and a number of other areas across the school. Our cleaning team work hard at maintaining a clean, orderly school and I thank them for their efforts.

Student Resource Scheme – Fees Due Now

In the coming weeks you will receive a reminder to have full payment of your SRS by Week 10 of this term. The fee is $300 and means a lot to the students and the school. With this money, we can do so much more for your children, please support the scheme and pay your fees on time.

Academy Programs

These fees are due. We will be sending final reminders for the outstanding Academy fees. Without full payment, your child will be removed from an Academy Program. We cannot successfully operate Academy Programs without full payment from all participants.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss any financial issues you may have. I don’t want your child to miss out, please speak with me about your options.

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

P&C News

Our school P&C are holding their annual Trivia Night this term on Friday 7 June. Tickets are available at the school Office. See flyer attached for more information.

The P&C Association also has fundraising during the month of May in the local Live Life Pharmacies. Make sure you put a token in every time you shop at one of their pharmacies to support the school.

CASUAL CANTEEN ASSISTANT

The P&C are looking for a casual canteen assistant to help with service and preparation on a Monday for 3 hours with the possibility to also be back up on other weekdays. Term time only.

Please send you expression of interest and resume to; pandcexecutive@coolumshs.eq.edu.au

Applications close Monday 6 May.

Monica Kutt
Vice President

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. Students are currently engaged in professional resume and cover letter writing to prepare for a Mock Interview with an external industry representative next week on Wednesday 8 May 2019. Students are required to wear FULL Formal Uniform on this day and will be provided with their interview time prior to the event.

Year 10 Work Experience Placement Update

Year 10 students will be participating in a compulsory work experience placement in this term from Monday 13 – Friday 17 May (Week 4). Students are required to approach employers to secure their own placement. If your child is yet to return their paperwork or find a placement, this is now overdue.

Year 10 TAFE Trade Taster Program

A number of Year 10 students will be involved in the TAFE Queensland Trade Taster Program this term. If your child is involved, please ensure that you are aware of the expectations of the program and the day that they will be attending in Nambour. Students are still expected to attend TAFE during the work experience block in Week 4 and should be communicating this requirement to their host employers when organising placement to allow for only four days.

Classes are either on a Tuesday or Friday depending on allocation. If your child was unsuccessful for the Term 2 program, we are hopeful that TAFE will offer further places for next term.

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.

Casual Employment Opportunity

Chemist Warehouse Marcoola is looking for a junior staff member for casual work. Please contact the store manager for further details.

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

Defence Force Work Experience Program

Defence is committed to providing a national work experience program designed to:

• demonstrate the wide variety of interesting careers available within Defence;
• ease the transition of students into the workplace; and
• contribute to the development of the skills of young people.
• Please Note: The Defence Work Experience Program offers unpaid work experience for students residing in Australia.

See the exciting work experience placements that are on offer.

Defence Force Work Experience Program

Please contact me on pwald9@eq.edu.au or 5471 5321 to discuss matters relating to Vocational Education and Training at Coolum State High School.

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

Hospitality News

Our Hospitality students recently visited the Spirit House to further develop their knowledge and skills of the industry. The students had the opportunity to take a tour of the grounds and hear about the history of the Spirit House. In addition, they worked beside some of the chefs to prepare the curry paste for the restaurant, create mocktails and participate in a cooking lesson. The Spirit House is an invaluable member of our Industry Reference Group and we appreciate their chefs taking the time to work with our students.

Claire Lewis
Head of Department Technology

Performing Arts News

Arts News – Term 2

Welcome back to Term 2 at Coolum SHS. There’s plenty happening in the Arts over the next 10 weeks. Listed below are all the events and rehearsals and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at rohan.hardy@eq.edu.au

Musical Camp

Our biannual musical camp is coming up this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (4 and 5 of May) for all students involved in our production “Future Island”. We’re all so excited to spend some intensive time together refining the scenes, learning some new music and bonding with backstage, ensemble and lead crew.

The students have been issued medical certificates, consent forms and a packing list for the Saturday evening as they’ll be sleeping over. It is critical the consent forms are returned to me by Thursday the 2 of May.

Percussion Workshop

On Thursday the 9 of May, State Fanfare Champions for 2018, The Gap SHS Percussion Ensemble will be visiting our school to run a percussion workshop with our newly formed Percussion Ensemble. If you saw the group perform at our movie night event in the last week of term, they’re an ensemble to look out for in the future! Our Percussion teacher Ms Harris will be working alongside our Instrumental Music teaching team and 12 very lucky students as they work through the Tito Puente classic, Oye Como Va. We’re looking forward to sharing more with parents and members of our school community as this ensemble builds repertoire and confidence!

Choral Fanfare

Another new addition to our program this year is our Vocal Ensemble, The Coolum Voices. Our director Ms Hardy has been working with the group in rehearsals as well as running vocal lessons to prepare them for the Fanfare competition on the 30 of May. We have 20 very enthusiastic students enrolled and so far they have committed to lunchtime rehearsals, weekend workshops and lessons throughout the week. We’re so excited to share the ensemble with our community in May and can’t wait to share the news with you all.

If you’re interested in enrolling into our vocal program for lessons and as part of the vocal ensemble, please contact me and I will send you through the details.

Assembly Performances

Assembly performances are back this term. We have an amazing musical line up of students, ensembles and small groups performing a wide range of repertoire for the school community. Keep an eye on our school Facebook page as we upload their work each week!

Academy Showcase Mornings

On Thursday the 2 and 9 May our Wind Symphony academy program will be on show for the students at Coolum and Peregian State Schools. We’re looking forward to answering any questions about the programs and showing the students what music at Coolum SHS looks like. Information will be shared with students in the Wind Symphony regarding the schedule and requirements.

Music Supporters Committee

We are keen to start a music supporters committee here at Coolum SHS this term and are calling on any interested parents to sign up to our newsletter, to potentially volunteer for any fundraising events or to provide us with guidance and feedback about the instrumental music program into the future. It’s a great time to become involved as we grow in size and potential and we’d love to see parents and generations of families involved in the culture of music here at Coolum.

If you’re interested in being involved, please contact me for further information.

JMC Academy Excursion – Brilliant Musicians

Our rescheduled excursion to the JMC Academy for the Brilliant Musicians students is back on the agenda for early this term. In the coming weeks, students will travel to Brisbane to work at the university with the internationally acclaimed faculty in their world class facilities as they learn to make music and collaborate. In Term 1, our students developed some amazing songs individually and collaboratively and it was great to cap off the term with a few performances in the Year 7 concourse. I can’t wait to see what this group of talented Junior Secondary students produce and I’m so excited to get them down to Brisbane in the near future.

Rohan Hardy
Head of Performing Arts

Tutorials – Term 2

Bus Pass Information 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

General News

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