24 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Our Year 12 students are in the midst of the busiest time of their school lives. With only a few more weeks left of assignments and exams, it is so important they do not become distracted from their goals and continue on their path to exciting and successful career opportunities post-school.

These students are some of our very brightest and will be acknowledged at our Celebration of Excellence on 30 October when 26 of our Year 12’s will receive a Gold Award for academic excellence. This is an extraordinary result, not only because the complexities and challenges of the last year of high school can be incredibly daunting, but last year in Year 11, only 8 of this group received a Gold Award.

This amazing improvement in results has not been an accident. The students have each committed to a regular study pattern as well as accessing tutorials and the expertise of the teaching staff outside classroom time, and the support of their peers.

Our Year 11 students need to follow this example if they are to give themselves the opportunity to achieve similar results at the end of Year 12.

Developing time management skills and a plan to balance school, study, part-time work and a social life is definitely not simple but with students at the centre of everything we do, there is a huge support network in place at school that students can access at any time. We urge students to take advantage of this support and speak to any one of their teachers, Heads of Year or a Guidance Officer to help them prepare for success.

Again, we cannot stress enough the importance of attending school each and every day. Research is conclusive that the higher a student’s attendance at school, the more success a student will achieve. Every child deserves the very best opportunities in life and regular attendance at school is absolutely vital.

Troy Ascott
Principal

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

It was with great pleasure to review the latest academic results from our senior students in Term 3 reporting period. The Year 12 results are the best I have ever seen personally and are clearly the best in the school’s history. These outstanding outcomes are due to the hard work of the students and the wonderful senior teachers that go above and beyond each and every day. To compliment this, the Year 11 cohort have gone from strength to strength in Unit 2 and are definitely on the improve compared to the same period in Unit 1. It is really pleasing to see our students working hard and maximising their potential academically.

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. We wish our senior students all the best as they work through their final pieces of assessment.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary 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 student’s entry into the subject. We will be finalizing invoicing of subject fees in Week 4 this term once we have confirmed some student subject choices.

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.

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

It is an exciting time for our Year 12 students and there is only a few weeks before the wonderful celebratory event - The Year 12 Graduation! Your child will wear the academic gown and cap and take part in a special and memorable event. Whilst the event is sponsored by the school, it is however important that all your fees are paid by Week 4 so your child has the opportunity to participate in what will be a life-changing moment.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

Senior Schooling News

Preparing for exams

As senior exams rapidly approach it is important that students are doing their utmost to prepare themselves to perform at their best. It might sound obvious to state it, but it is never too early to begin preparation for exams. In fact, there is research evidence that shows study spread over a longer time is a far more successful strategy than attempting to study intensively over a short time. The benefits of “cramming” for exams are likely to be less than the benefits of methodical, regular revision of work throughout the term.

Allied to this is the importance of a study “space” that is conducive to real concentration. The space is both a physical area to work in and the right head space. Despite what we might think, multi-tasking is not something our brains can do in reality, so avoiding distractions, like social media, is important. We concentrate best when we are not too tired, hungry, uncomfortable or distracted by external factors.

How long a student should study without a break depends on both the intensity required and the complexity of the material being studied. Our brains get tired during periods of intense concentration. Typically, we can all concentrate for longer periods when we are reviewing familiar material but we tire more quickly if the material being studied is complex or unfamiliar. Study breaks are important to keep concentration at a peak. Light physical movement and fresh air during study breaks (such as taking the dog for a short walk) is a good way to feel refreshed and reinvigorated when returning to resume study.

The night before an exam is not necessarily the time to do a long, intense session of study. It can simply result in the student feeling tired during the exam without retaining material studied under pressure. All of the main study load should be done by then. Spend that last night revising generally and picking out a few topics to concentrate on to build confidence. Then, get a good night’s sleep so you wake up feeling well rested.

Finally, on the morning of the test, drink water and eat a healthy breakfast. Get to school in plenty of time to avoid feeling rushed and stressed. Be calm and positive.

Best wishes to all senior students in their exams.

Sean Sweeney
Head of Department Senior Schooling

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

Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre

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

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 at this link:

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

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.

Dates for your Diary