22 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to our Year 10’s on the completion of their week long work experience out and about in our community businesses. The feedback on their conduct and enthusiasm has been outstanding and is an absolute tribute to the wonderful job parents, teachers, staff and the greater community are doing in encouraging and facilitating the development of our amazing Coolum kids. The Year 10s were excellent as Coolum State High School ambassadors within our community’s businesses, displaying just why our students are so deserving of their support. As role models to the rest of the school cohort, they have excelled themselves.

I’d also like to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who participated in mock interviews last week. With over 30 industry representatives from throughout our community and beyond conducting the interviews, the feedback from them was, again, outstanding. In particular,

Thank you to the members all of the local businesses and industries who have given up time and resources to host our students during work experience or the mock interviews: their help in preparing our students for life beyond school is priceless.

Work experience is invaluable for our students, not only giving them a taste of the kinds of expectations and tasks required in the workforce, but significantly during this, the beginning of their Senior Schooling, an excellent indicator as to whether they are on the right path or not, giving their best effort or not. Senior schooling is about destinations and the place our students will find themselves landing upon in their future. Work experience helps us to understand what that landing will be like and if that is the destination for us. Thank you to the Coolum community and thank you to Mr Patrick Walden, Head of Vocational Studies, for working so hard to offer our students these experiences.

Work Experience is the first real step many make towards their post school career and as such, is incredibly important in positioning students for success in their adult life. As a school, parents and a wider community, it is facilitating these kinds of activities for our students that make the real difference in getting them ready for their future careers. For parents, this is an excellent opportunity to continue the ‘work’ conversation with their children, setting regular goals and gently reinforcing the idea that ‘adult life’ and its responsibilities is becoming a tangible one.

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal – Senior Secondary Year 10

Excellence in everything we do

The Year 10 students have had a very successful week out at Work Experience. The feedback from employers has been extremely positive, many praising the work ethic and professionalism of the students. Well done to all of the Year 10’s and Mr Patrick Walden for coordinating the opportunity for the students.

Thank you to parents who attended the ATAR information sessions held as part of parent/teacher interviews on Wednesday 8 May.

Some key points of information from the evening include:

• What is a QCE?
• What are the requirements for QCE eligibility?
• What is an ATAR?
• SET planning 2019
• Fee requirements for 2020

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) remains as Queensland’s Senior Secondary qualification. QCE requirements include:

Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) is a rank order from 99.95-0.00 that will determine higher education offers for students seeking placement in a University course.

ATAR replaces the Overall Position (OP) system from 2020.

Senior Education Training (SET) Planning is a process that supports students in choosing subjects towards a program of learning in the senior phase of education. On 14/15 August 2019, students are required to attend an interview, with a parent, to select subjects for 2020.

Prior to this interview, students will be required to complete the SET Planning and Career module on One School and have filtered subject choice through the list of pre-requisites to ensure appropriate choices agreed to in the interview.

It is important for students and parents to be aware that academic results are reviewed consistently throughout the year 10. At the end of 2019 all year 10 student results will be reviewed and ratified against the student’s SET plan to ensure pre-requisites have been met and, if required, relevant changes are made prior to commencement of the 2020 academic year.

Other Key Dates for your calendar:

• 2019 SET Planning Information Evening, Thursday 6 June -6:00-7:00pm in the Brahminy Kite Room (Information for Parents and students).
• Subject Expo, Wednesday 7 August, 3:30 onwards in the school Hall (Information for all students selecting subjects for 2020 with a focus on the senior phase of learning).

Fees Information: 2020

Prior to your child’s SET plan interview:

• 2019 Student Resource fees need to be paid in full ($300.00)

At the SET plan interview:

• We require a 50% deposit for all fee paying elective and certificate subjects paid on the day of the SET plan interview
• If the deposit is not paid at the time of your interview your child will not be enrolled into the subject for 2020
• The remaining 25% of additional fees due Term 3 week 7 with final payment due Term 3 week 9, this includes payment plans
• 2020 Student resource fee to be paid in full (week 6 term 4 2019)
• Payment Plans (BPoint and Centrepay) 50% deposit is required at the SET plan appointment with the remainder of the payment will be due through your payment plan and paid in full by Term 3 Week 9
• Payment Options available on the day are Cash, Eftpos and Credit Card
• Deposits will be refunded if the student does not commence the certificate course or elective subject in 2020

If you have any questions regarding fees, please contact Business Manager Nolly Griffiths on 5471 5333.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 10

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary

As we move to the mid-point of term 2 it is important that parents and students have a deep understanding of how to achieve a QCE. At Coolum SHS we set our bench mark at 100% of students to achieve a QCE when they graduate. This ensures the best possible outcomes can be achieved by students after they graduate and transition into meaningful pathways. Below is information regarding to achieving a QCE.

About the QCE

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland's senior secondary schooling qualification. It is internationally recognised and provides evidence of senior schooling achievements.

What you can study

The QCE lets you choose from a wide range of subjects and courses to suit your interests, further study and career goals.

How the QCE works

To receive a QCE, you must achieve the set amount of learning, at the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements.

• Set amount: 20 credits from contributing courses of study, including:
    -  QCAA-developed subjects or courses
    -  vocational education and training (VET) qualifications
    -  non-Queensland studies
    -  recognised studies.
• Set standard: satisfactory completion, grade of C or better, competency or qualification completion, pass or equivalent.
• Set pattern: 12 credits from completed Core courses of study and 8 credits from any combination of:
    -  Core
    -  Preparatory (maximum 4 credits)
    -  Complementary (maximum 8 credits).
• Literacy and numeracy: you must meet literacy and numeracy requirements through one of the available learning options. Most students will study and pass senior English and Mathematics subjects and meet the requirements that way. For other students, there are other learning options available.

You are also required to have a learning account and achieve at least 1 credit of Core learning while enrolled in a Queensland school.

Achieving your QCE

You will be awarded a QCE when you have met all the QCE requirements, either at the completion of Year 12, or after you have left school. You can continue to work towards your QCE for up to seven years after finishing Year 12

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

Business Services News

This is such an important time in your child’s schooling life. The senior years of high school come with it a range of challenges. For us, the challenge is ensuring they get all the required resources they need to learn, to succeed, to graduate! A lot of these resources are needed for certificate courses and fee paying subjects. We can’t provide the resources they need without the payment of fees for Student Resource Scheme and subject fees. NOW is the time to finalise all your fees, especially the year 12 students as this will have an impact on their ability to participate in special events such as the Mid Winter’s Ball and end of year Graduation with cap and gown.

Why is SRS so important, what does it matter?

The Student Resource Scheme is so important to our students. We can purchase teaching and learning resources for our students to use so they can thrive. With your support of the scheme and payment of the SRS fee, it means we can do what we need to for your child.

This is why I am so committed about asking you to support the scheme. If we want our students to have a more level playing field in education, then supporting and paying the $300 per year fee is a sure way of getting there.

Please return your SRS form and tick YES to the scheme. It means the world to our students and our school community.

Nolly Griffiths
Business Manager

Year 12 Midwinter Ball

The Midwinter’s Ball is fast approaching and many students were issued with invitations last week. We are very excited to once again work with Ramada Surf Air and are grateful for such an excellent venue for our students. Year 12 students are expected to have an attendance that exceeds 92%, exemplary behaviour, and are on track in achieving their QCEs. If there are any further clarifications required, please contact the school office.

The Year 12s are under significant pressure at the moment with assignments, exams, and assessment in general. They are handling the pressure with the care, respect, and excellence they’ve been trained to have. Students are also making really important decisions around next year and we are very proud to offer many opportunities to explore post-schooling options. Thank you for all the work you are doing with our students in supporting them through the massive year that Year 12 is. It is an absolute pleasure to work with them.

Mrs Samson
Head of Year 12

Tutorials – Term 2

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

In Week 3 our Year 10 and 11 students had the opportunity to participate in a Mock Interview as part of their Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways. These interviews were conducted by over 30 different representatives from various industries, with the aim of preparing students for future job interviews. Students received amazing feedback from the interviewers, and they were very proud of the confidence displayed.

Year 10 Work Experience Success

Congratulations to our Year 10 students who participated in a work experience placement last week. This program provides a great opportunity for students to develop key employability skills and gain some valuable experience about the realities of life in the workforce. Thank you to our local business community for supporting students with a placement this year for a very large cohort. We have been flooded with positive feedback from employers. A number of students will end of up with traineeships, apprenticeships and fulltime employment out of this experience.

TAFE at School Courses – Semester 2, 2019 Mid-Year intake (Years 10 and 11).

TAFE are offering a select number of programs across our TAFE campuses for a midyear intake. Please note due to the courses extending into 2020 or beyond the QCE crediting deadline, these are unsuitable for current Year 12s.

Courses now open for applications through the website below. Please use code 'TQEC1902' to access the application form.

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

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

Star graduate committed to climate change adaptation

Making the world a better place through environmental education – combined with an impressive academic record – has gained former Coolum State High School student, Renee Currenti USC’s highest honour for a graduating student.

Renee was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal when she graduated from a two-year Master of Arts (Geography) on Thursday 11 April 2019 at noon.

The graduation ceremony was one of 12 ceremonies to be held last week for more than 1,800 USC students.

Graduating from Coolum State High School in 2011, Renee completed a double degree in a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science at USC before taking on a research masters degree based on research in Fiji.

“I enrolled in USC’s Masters of Arts program in 2016 which allowed me the autonomy to focus on my topic of interest – climate change adaptation,” Ms Currenti said.

“My USC journey exposed me to a world of complex issues and problems that need solving and I was lucky to work on a globally important project to complete my Masters.

“People in Nawairuku in Fiji are noticing more intense extreme weather conditions, namely cyclones and floods. They are noticing the timing of seasons change over time, and the blending of wet and dry seasons which impacts their agricultural productivity.

“The changes that are being seen in Naiwairuku village are not happening in isolation. Changes that are being seen in many places, mostly inhabited by Indigenous people, are already affecting the lives and livelihoods of billions of people around the world.”

During her six years as a USC student, Renee was a field and research assistant for various local and overseas research projects, mentored new students, and represented the University at environmental and sustainability conferences.

She also volunteered significant amounts of her own time to the Sunshine Coast community, as well as communities in rural Fiji and rural Cambodia.

“What drives me to spend time helping others is knowing how lucky we are in Australia to have so many opportunities at our fingertips,” Renee said.

“I learned from a young age that not everyone is as fortunate as we are, and I find it easy to spend time giving to others knowing that I am in the position to do so.

“The time I have spent in Fiji with people who have very few material possessions but so much love and happiness reminded me to be grateful for, and humble about what we have.”

Renee, 24, who is currently working with the Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Catchment Partnerships team, said she was genuinely surprised to be acknowledged as a Chancellor’s Medallist.

“It is nice to be formally recognised for the hard work I have put into my studies and extra-curricular activities over the years. It means a lot to me and my family who have supported me to achieve my goals.”

Helping your child with life-plan anxiety

If someone asked you to explain your career plans for the next 1, 3 or even 5 years what would you say? Would you feel overwhelmed by this? This is how some senior school students are feeling as they navigate the journey from school into work or further study.

According to USC education researcher and writer, Dr Shelley Davidow, students are feeling pressured to have a clear plan of their future and hence are leaving school in states of high anxiety.

Dr Davidow says this anxiety can impair academic performance and affect decision-making ability at a critical time in young people’s lives and so is calling on parents, teachers and students to release the pressure value.

What’s the impact?

“Everyone is suffering from what I call ‘finish line syndrome’, whether it’s getting through Year 12 or getting into the program of choice,” said Dr Davidow, who has extensively studied stress and resilience in the classroom.

“We are expecting students to know what they want to do with their lives and there’s this terror of putting your foot wrong, like you must know what you will do at 18 or else you will waste time and money.”

She said it’s pressure like this that is seeing students enter university in states of high anxiety which is, consequently affecting their ability to learn well.

A 2017 study by Mission Australia found one in four Australian teenagers met the criteria for having a serious mental illness, and it was affecting students as young as 10 years old.

“A good percentage of mental health patients are young people with anxiety and it’s induced by enormous expectations they feel they can’t meet and a feeling that they should never fail, a narrative that is being fed by teachers, parents, peers and the media,” Dr Davidow said.

“The thing about being in fight-or-flight mode is you can’t think because your cognition is impaired. During a stress response, blood flows away from your brain toward your limbs, and your body is primed for flight or flight, to escape danger.”

“There’s a cascade of physiological effects as stress hormones flood your system that are designed for short term escape from danger; when this state of being becomes chronic, it impedes healthy cognitive function and affects your overall health in a detrimental way. If you’re in this state when you’re facing an exam or an assessment, you’re going to be worse off.”

How can parents help?

Dr Davidow said teachers and parents should allow school-leavers the space they need to make good decisions in time.

“We need to change the messages we are giving to the next generation,” she said.

“The reality is that young people today will have on average seven careers in their lifetime and have jobs that don’t exist yet so the whole idea of having to decide what you are going to be for the rest of your life when you’re seventeen is a myth. If you come out of school not knowing what you want to do, that is fine.”

“Even if you follow a path after school and down the track you change your mind, that’s okay, too. That’s how the world works now. Very often, you can’t know if you like something until you try it.

“The important thing is that wellbeing comes first — Academic performance will follow. We need to be the opposite of chronically stressed if we want optimum performance in anything. Relaxation, deep breathing, mindfulness all have a significant, measurable impact on our bodies and our capacity to function well.”

Dr Davidow is an international author and educator who has written numerous books including Raising Stress-Proof Kids, Playing with Words and Fail Brilliantly.

Dates for your Diary