28 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Our Year 12 students will sit the Queensland Core Skills Test next week on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 September. This can be a very stressful time for our students but there has been much planning to make sure that the students are as prepared as they possibly can be for the rigours of the QCS Test.

Many of the concepts and assessments presented to students in Year 12 within subject areas are complex and of a high academic or skill level. They are meant to be difficult and can only be mastered through consistent hard work and dedicated application. For those believing the rumour that ‘you can’t study for the QCST’, this is completely false. We have been running full practice sessions of the four papers since last year, along with weekly lessons in how to approach each test; your student most definitely has been studying and practising for the QCST.

Year 12 is not a breeze for students. It is their final year of schooling before they are deemed adults and arrive into a world of work or further study and training. As such, working throughout this year in a consistent and dedicated manner really is the only way to guarantee them success later on. The teachers and staff shepherding them through this final year are committed to supporting and encouraging our seniors, working tirelessly to ensure they are receiving the best possible instruction and learning experiences. Coupled with the support they undoubtedly receive from home, our Year 12s must keep in mind the end result of all this hard work and pressure: that job, university or further training placement and the important personal knowledge that they are capable of climbing those mountains and crossing those oceans.

Work hard, Seniors and success will come your way!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal – Senior Secondary Year 10

Excellence in everything we do

Over the last two weeks, career pathways and planning has been the focus for Year 10 students as they engaged with the SET planning process. A significant majority of students and families have met with a team of Deputy Principals, Heads of Senior Schooling and Guidance Officers to discuss future career options and establish a plan to achieve the best possible outcome for each and every student. Our Year 10’s conducted themselves with commitment and maturity through the process ensuring the day was productive.

Families that have not yet met with us to discuss a SET plan must make contact with the school as soon as possible to book in for an appointment. This process must be completed for all Year 10 students continuing with us in 2020.

Next week our Year 12 students will complete the final Queensland Core Skills Test, ever. We could not be more proud of our students and all the hard work and QCS preparation they have completed over the last two years. They are a fantastic group of students who, no doubt, will complete the two days of testing with flying colours.

Congratulations to them and to the team of Heads of Department, Heads of Year and teachers who have worked tirelessly to get them ready.

As we head into the business end of the term, in terms of assessment, it is important to maintain positive and productive personal routines both at home and at school. Consistent preparation is the key to managing the challenges of workload that is inevitable towards the end of every term.

We wish all senior students continued success over the next few weeks.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 10

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Schooling Year 11 & 12

Business Services News

SUBJECT FEES

Thank you to all the families that made a substantial payment towards their child’s subject fees. Please ensure you check your Statement of Account for your outstanding amount. Non payments may affect your child’s entry into the subject.

To be accepted into a fee paying subject:

• All outstanding fees are paid in full; and
• Full payment of the SRS for that year; and
• 50% of the total cost of subject fees paid upon selection; and
• 25% of the remaining balance paid by Term 3, Week 7; and
• 25% of the remaining balance paid by Term 3, Week 9

The school accepts Centrelink or BPOINT as payment plan options should you be experiencing financial difficulties. I encourage you to contact me if you would like to discuss your payment options.

We want to be able to provide your child with the necessary teaching and learning resources so they can succeed. Without your fees and on-time payments, this would be a very difficult goal to achieve, please support the school.

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

Senior School News

The QCS Test – the final countdown!

Our Year 12 OP students will sit the 2018 Queensland Core Skills Test on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 of September.

Our students have been working very hard in preparation for the test and are ready, if naturally a little nervous. Readiness also involves being physically, psychologically and mentally ready and there are four things that parents can do to help their child feel confident and in the right frame of mind:

• Good sleep and good food in the days prior to the QCS test.
• A well-planned, calm test morning with the students arriving at school by 8.15am.
• Positive talk and calmness to deal with nervousness.
• Best wishes and a few hugs before the test!

For parents of Year 12 OP students: It is most important that the school is informed of any illness or issues that will affect your child’s performance on the morning of each test or prevent them sitting the test. You must call the school office at 8.00am on the morning of the test and specifically state that your child is due to sit the QCS test and is unable to come to school. If you child is ill, immediately make a doctor’s appointment. The school guidance officer will be in contact with you to ensure that you request the correct documentation from the doctor. If there are any other reasons why your child cannot sit the test (family bereavement etc) you must contact the school and a Guidance Officer will be in touch.

Our best wishes to all of our OP students as they sit the last ever QCS test!

Sean Sweeney
Head of Senior Schooling

Creative Arts

Creative Generations Art Awards 2019

Coolum High has been entering the artwork of our best Visual Art student since 2000 into the Creative Generations Art Awards. This state-wide award selects only 35 works from more than 600 entrants. Coolum High has achieved 13 artworks selected and is hoping this year for more to be added to our impressive tally.

Work entered in the 2019 awards are.

“Life Support” by Axel Smith-Spaulding
“Faith, Pain and Hope” by Maria Harrison
“Old Things” by Clare Hale
“Mirror, Mirror, Mirror” by Kayleigh Heighway

All of these works will go to the Regional Exhibition at the Butter Factory Cooroy from 6 September to 15 October. The Exhibition opening and Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday 14 September at 2.00pm.

From there they will announce the Sunshine Coast selected artworks that will be on exhibition at the GOMA in Brisbane next year.

We will be exhibiting these and the work of all our seniors early Term 4 in the ARTS SHOWCASE.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Year 10 Trade Taster Program Term 3 in-take

Our Year 10 Trade Taster program at TAFE Queensland Nambour campus has started well for our second intake. Below is a reminder of some key information:

 When? 

Depending on the student’s allocated day they will commence study on either Tuesday 6 August or Friday 9 August. Final week of study will be week commencing 14 October (second week of Term 4)

 Class times are 08:00am until 03:45pm at Nambour Campus. 

Timetable

One unit is delivered over two weeks only. Students who miss the first week of a unit due to absence will be unable to participate in the second week of that particular unit (For example, if a student misses Week 4, they would be unable to participate in Week 5).  

Uniform/Equipment

Long, dark cotton pants
Hi-vis or dark cotton shirt
Steel toe-capped safety shoes/boots
Safety glasses (available at Bunnings) 
Pen/Notepad 

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

SCHI

Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre

For further information, please consult the TAFE @ Schools 2020 course guide available at

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.

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 at http://www.defence.gov.au/WorkExperience

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)

University of the Sunshine Coast News

You’re invited to our Information Evening on Headstart and 'Getting into uni'

With 2020 only a few short months away, it’s time to get your child thinking about their study plans for next year!

We’d like to invite you and your child to attend an information evening to learn how they can start uni while still in high school through our Headstart program. Headstart allows Year 11 and 12 students to study university subjects on campus, giving them a taste of university life.

You can also attend our ‘Getting into uni’ session, which covers how to apply for and succeed at university, along with how to choose the right program to study, how to make your child’s QTAC application work best for them and tips for making the most of university life.

At these events, you’ll hear the latest information about USC’s Moreton Bay campus which will offer close to 50 degree programs when it opens in 2020.

Dates: Wednesday 18 September at
Murrumba Downs Tavern

Thursday 19 September at
USC Sunshine Coast

Thursday 19 September at
USC Fraser Coast

Time: 4.30pm - 6.00pm (all locations)

REGISTER NOW

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