16 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to Term 4!

We have had a fantastic return to school with students and staff refreshed, revitalised and ready for the term ahead.

At this time of year, even more activity than usual is happening around the school, particularly with our fantastic Celebration of Excellence coming up on Wednesday 30 October.

So much preparation goes into an event of this magnitude and we look forward to seeing all of our students and parents at the Ceremony.

There was an excited scurry of students to view the nominations for the Celebration of Excellence Awards. These students are not the ones who usually seek the limelight to validate their achievements. They are the quiet ones; the ones who wait until the end of class to ask a question. They get on with the business of learning without a fuss, yet with dogged determination. They help their fellow students and seek no recognition for it. They are the students who slip to the back of the group when a photo is being taken.

For these award winners, standing on stage in front of a sea of people is a huge challenge and although I can’t make this nervousness disappear, I can assure each and every one of you that the sea of people is proud of you and your achievements.

With so many talented students at Coolum High, we have much to celebrate and we are very much looking forward to a wonderful evening acknowledging their hard work and commitment. These talented young people deserve the recognition of the entire Coolum community.

Our recent report cards showcased a range of “best ever” outcomes, highlighted by our Year 12s. Some amazing highlights of the reports to share with our community include:

• 40% A grades in English, Drama and Visual Art
• 50% A grades in Graphics
• 39% A grades in Chemistry
• 34% A grades in Biology
• 38 % A grades in Mathematics C; 37% A grades in Mathematics B
• 36% A grades in Geography
• 33% A grades in Health

This list goes on and on. Our students are performing highly in all of their pursuits and we can all be very proud of them. The number of award winners for the Celebration of Excellence is off the charts!

For our Year 12 students, Term 4 is filled with huge emotion and the excitement of the end of their schooling life, and the poignancy of Graduation Ceremony and Clapout. Finishing Year 12 is a very exciting rite of passage and I urge all our students to reflect on the importance of these last few weeks as a Senior at Coolum State High School with respect and care for their peers and their school.

With upcoming assessment, I urge each student to make sure they attend school every day until the very last. Even though it might be hard to believe right now, these really are some of the best days of your lives.

I am delighted with our debating team of Mika, Sarina, Tyler and Callum who continue to debate with such skill and determination. The team recently versed Siena Catholic College and won. Tonight they verse Good Shepherd Lutheran College and a win will guarantee them a place in the semi-finals on 23 October. We wish the team our very best for the next stage of the competition. They are absolute stars!

This is a very exciting time of the year and I am looking forward to a fantastic term full of celebrations and milestones.

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 7

2020 Academy Applications Close Soon

Coolum State High School Academies application forms are available by clicking on the following link or by collecting a printed copy form our school office.

These exciting programs offer fantastic opportunities to our students. We have a record number of students joining the highly successful Instrumental Music program and we would love to see more students take up this opportunity.

In 2020 we will be launching a development academy in Chess, AFL and Netball. Information of these programs will be released soon.

Supporting our Cheerleading Students.

Many of our students in our Cheerleading Academy also compete for AUSFUNK and through this they have won an entry into the World Titles in Las Vegas in 2020. To assist with the cost of this trip for families we are happy to promote a fundraiser that will be held at the Coolum Bowls Club at 6:30pm on Saturday 26 October. This Vegas themed trivia night will be a lot of fun and I encourage you to form a team and book a table. Please book through 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.

Year 8 and 9 Attendance

Welcome back to Term 4. This is going to be a very exciting term at Coolum State High School. To capitalise on all the great opportunities available at school, students need to attend every single day.

Attendance is currently one of the biggest areas where Year 8 and 9 students can make improvements.

Junior Secondary – end of year assessments

Before we know it, end-of-year assessment tasks will be rolling in. For most students in Years 7-9 these assessments will be due in Week 9 – these may be exams, assignments, projects or oral presentations.

To ensure that students achieve their best results, I expect them to be very focussed in class and to organise their time to prepare for assessment. Anything that schools and families can do to help students organise their time will be beneficial. Carefully working on tasks over time often produces much better results than scrambling to put something together the night before it is due.

I strongly encourage students to attend our excellent Wednesday afternoon tutorials (3-4pm) or our catch-up club that runs before school (Monday-Thursday) at 8am. Here students can get extra help from staff to support them to achieve their personal excellence.

Improved results will come from improved effort!

Year 9 Inter-school Sport

This term Year 9 students are on inter-school sport each Thursday. We have had great success with Year 7 and 8 teams this year – I am sure the Year 9s will also be great.

Thanks to Mr Smyth for his work in organising this and the many teachers who coach the teams and support our students.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal –Senior Secondary Year 10

Excellence in everything we do

Welcome back to Term 4 2019!

I hope that everyone enjoyed a restful holiday break with friends and family and are ready for a busy Term 4.

For Year 10 students the focus is on maintaining and improving their academic achievement.

For all students in Year 10 completion of the Certificate 2 CVP by the end of 2019 is a requirement for progression into Year 11. Students who do not complete CVP by the last day of Year 10 will need to return in Weeks 9 and 10 to complete the certificate. The school will facilitate this process for students who require support.

Any Year 10 students who have not completed a SET plan interview, and intends on returning to Coolum SHS for 2020, are required to contact the school to make an appointment time. If your child is in Year 10 and has not had a SET plan interview they will not be on the timetable for 2020.

Year 10 students will have a formal exam block in Week 8 of this term, whereby they will only attend school for the timetabled assessment sessions. This process is designed to introduce the students to Senior learning and assessment processes in order to prepare them for Year 11 and 12 conditions for assessment.

I am looking forward to a great term with the students and to seeing them continue to improve and deliver a strong finish to 2019.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 10

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

Welcome back to Term 4, a very important time for our Year 12 students as they ready themselves to transition from High school into the big wide world. Friday November 15, Week 6, is the official last day for Year 12 students and is an exciting time to reflect on 12 years of schooling. Over the remaining weeks the Senior Schooling team will be working with the Year 12 cohort to ensure they all have clear destinations and pathways for 2020. It is so important to engage with further education, training or meaningful employment before the end of Year 12 to put themselves ahead of the pack.

Year 12 students will be entering their final block exam period in Week 5 and 6, which will be the final pieces of assessment they will ever complete here at Coolum SHS. The Year 11 cohort will also start their block exams in Week 5. The expectation regarding attendance and completion of assessment during the block exams will remain the same. Exam timetables will be issued to students in the coming weeks.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

FINALISE ALL YOUR FEES

We are fast approaching the end of the year and now is the time to have all outstanding fees finalised. Thank you to the families that are up to date with their fees, it means a lot to the students and the school. I also thank the many families that were able to pay a large portion of their student’s subject fees in preparation for next year. It is wonderful to have your support.

Last week we emailed you a Statement of Account with your account details and what is outstanding. Please look out for this in your email and finalise any outstanding amount.

2020 STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME

We have begun preparation for 2020 and you will notice the SRS fee on your Statement of Account. Fortunately, we have been able to maintain the fee at $300. This vital income to the school means we can continue to provide quality teaching and learning resources for your student. Early payment of the fee ensures that the resources purchased will benefit your student at the very start of the new school year.

MAINTENANCE WORKS

Our cleaners, grounds and facilities officers were very busy cleaning, mowing, gardening and repairing throughout the Spring holidays. We are fortunate to have a wonderful support staff team who go the extra mile when it comes to maintaining a clean and orderly school.

We have undergone whole school gutter cleaning which is vital as we head into hot weather and bushfire season. We have also had a number of plumbing and painting works completed to ensure the school looks and functions at its best. The building works on our new design and health centre is well underway with a lot of activity over the holidays, the site is starting to take shape!

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

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

TAFE at School Program Applications for Semester 1, 2020

Applications are now open for a range of TAFE @ Schools Programs for study commencing in Semester 1 2020. Students who will be in Year 10, 11 or 12 next year are able to consider these courses subject to available places and final approval from the Head of Department for Vocational Studies as part of their timetable.

Study options include:

Mooloolaba

Nambour

Online

Sunshine Coast Health Institute

For further information, please consult the TAFE @ Schools 2020 course guide available via the link below.

White Card Training

The General Construction Induction card provides new and existing workers with the basic understanding and knowledge needed to start or continue work within the building and construction industry.

Training for this must be undertaken at a registered training organisation via face-to-face delivery. Coolum State High School is pleased to advise that one of our industry partners, Diggerman offers this course as part of their training products.

The training facility is conveniently located in the Coolum Industrial Estate. For more information please contact Diggerman directly on 5351 1811.

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.

Can’t find the opportunity you’re looking for?

Did you know that one of the most successful ways to secure a school-based or full-time apprenticeship or traineeship opportunity is for a student to directly approach an employer and ask if they have capacity to take on an apprentice or trainee? If they have further questions about the process or their obligations and entitlements, they can contact the school for further information and support.

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.

Full details can be found online via the link below.

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)

Creative Arts News

The Creative Industries Department is showcasing the work of our very talented Music and Art students on the 24 October 5.00 – 7.00pm. 500 Artworks from Years 7 to 12 will be on exhibition throughout the Performing Arts building. Enjoy the artwork as you are entertained by the Music student’s performances while partaking in a refreshment or two. Vote on the artwork that you find the most appealing for the People’s Choice Award, as well as the Principals Choice Award. Awards announced at 6.00pm.

Lynda Kryger
Teacher

Student Services News

Welcome to Term 4. I would like to introduce to all Coolum High parents to an exciting new edition to our regular newsletter.

‘Parenting Ideas’ is an online platform which provides quality parenting education and resources which we at Coolum High can share with you on a regular basis. Many schools across Australia utilise this resource to keep their school community fully informed with regard to;

• Education/Learning
• Emotional Intelligence
• Parenting Boys/Girls
• Positive Parenting
• Resilience
• Responsible Behaviour
• Technology and Parenting
• Wellbeing and Mental Health.

Parenting Ideas educational resources are developed by renowned experts in the field. Please use the following link to find out more.

To support all parents Coolum High will regularly provide access to articles, parenting blog, online courses, webinars, books and guides via our school newsletters and Facebook page. Should you wish to investigate further and begin your ‘Parenting Ideas’ journey please use the following link below.

Click on the link below for this week’s feature article; ‘Keeping kids safe in a cyber world’ by Michael Grose.

Robbie Koch
Head of Department Student Services

University Sunshine Coast News

If you are having trouble reading this email, read the online version.

Here's your Term Spotlight from USC!

The end of the school year is fast approaching as you prepare your students for their final assessments. We’ll be sending out our key dates for 2020 activities in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out.

The USC Schools Team are here to help with any questions you may have regarding USC pathways, programs and events, so please contact us at 5456 5947 or schools@usc.edu.au.

New degrees at USC

USC has new degrees to help your students take advantage of the future workforce, including Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering , an emerging field that combines the best of mechanical, electrical and electronics and computer engineering to constantly improve the systems around us. In addition to these new degrees, all of USC’s engineering degrees have been re-designed to help students take advantage of this growth.

USC’s new Bachelor of Computer Science is underpinned by software and machine learning, with specialisations in wearable technology, cloud and mobile computing, and cyber security.

The new Bachelor of Business (Digital Futures) will equip students to create business ideas, and drive innovation and growth in an increasingly digital global marketplace.

Keeping it local is key for a positive uni experience

Going to university has never been as important as it is today. Students face an unpredictable economic future and a quality education will be crucial for those who wish to survive and thrive. The Courier Mail have written an article to explain how smart families are minimising expense and maximising emotional support by choosing a campus that’s high-quality and close to home.

Scholarship applications are open for Semester 1, 2020

Remind your students to apply for a USC scholarship – even before they receive an offer from USC. Students only need to submit one online application form to be considered for most USC scholarships and bursaries and they may need to supply documentation to be considered. Other information may be required for individual scholarships so students should read the application selection criteria carefully.

Applications close on Saturday 30 November.

Headstart applications are closing soon

Submit your school's Headstart applications for Semester 1, 2020.

Headstart is a great opportunity for Year 11 and 12 students to get a taste of uni life and prepare for future study. Forward your school's Headstart applications to USC by 31 October 2019. Hear from parents and students who attended the recent information evening at USC Sunshine Coast.

USC's Early Offer Guarantee

Submit Early Offer Guarantee applications to USC.

The Early Offer Guarantee allows Year 12 students to secure an offer to study at USC as early as November. Submit your school's Early Offer Guarantee applications to USC by 18 October 2019.

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Bus Pass Information 2020

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 2020?

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 2020 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

Coolum High School 30 Year School Reunion

Where did 30 years go? Did you know that this is the anniversary of the first graduating class of Coolum State High School? Some of the graduating students from that year are organising a reunion please see their details below:

Were you a foundation student of Coolum SHS? We are hoping all that were, even if you didn’t graduate with the class of '89 will come and celebrate the Coolum State High School 30 year reunion at the Noosa Boathouse.

Package includes cocktail style catering, welcome beverage & bar tab. Cash bar is available once bar tab is depleted.

Tickets are $77 per person. Please deposit directly into Account name- CSHS 30 year Reunion Account number- 063-097 3073 2241. Use your first initial & surname as your booking reference.

Please head to our page @coolum high class of ’89 Facebook page if you have any questions. We hope to see you and many of our Coolum SHS teachers there!

Student Contribution - Jye Parkinson

GREEN STUFF: Can going green make you happier?

Trying to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle can seem like all work and no play. Picking up someone else’s rubbish, driving less for someone else’s air quality, and taking the time to recycle for some unseen landfill far away. But saving the planet has a bonus side effect – it makes us happy!

5 reasons why going green can help you live a happier, fuller life?

1. Your skin clears up. You’re eating less sugar and processed food, and drinking more water. You’re going to bed earlier instead of burning the midnight computer screen. Your skin rewards you with a new glow and less blemishes.
2. You buy less stupid stuff. You save money. You stop wondering where all the stupid stuff came from. You also stop wondering why such a large portion of your budget went to “uncategorised” instead of “coffee with friends,” and “restaurants,” and “holidays.”
3. Your health improves. You bike and walk more, choose to not eat chemical-laden foods, go with BPA-free water bottles, and go outside and breathe fresh air. This not only boosts your health, you feel better and more like yourself.
4. You get more creative. Your mental health is improving because of your healthier habits and because you’re starting to exercise your grey matter more. Every time you say “I don’t want to buy that new,” you start to think about how you can re-use, reconstruct, and refinish. The fulfilling part of life is in its doing, and you’re no longer paying other people to do it for you.
5. Selflessness is the quickest route to happiness. It’s a proven fact. The more you think about others; whether it’s picking up rubbish, volunteering, or buying local, the more you find contentment.

Dates for your Diary