18 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

There can be little doubt that we are facing unprecedented times as our school and our country aim to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community. As everyone is aware, Governments have given close consideration to the closure of schools, however all the best advice to date is that schools will remain open. I must say that the way our students and staff have held up to the uncertainty so far has been exemplary. All around the school I am seeing examples of quality teaching and learning as students and staff get about the business of running a great school.

There is always, at this time, the possibility of a school closure. After giving careful consideration to the available options, Coolum High is planning to make curriculum materials available through two key means in the event that we are forced to close. These are:

• Each student will have access to a OneNote notebook for each subject they undertake. Relevant curriculum materials will be available on this One Note platform.
• Email will be used by teachers, at times, to communicate to students’ EQ email address.

To engage with curriculum delivery in this manner, all students will need to ensure that they know how to access OneNote for their class and know their EQ email address. Teachers will be providing instruction for these in coming days, if they have not done so already.

With regards to our ongoing functioning as a school, we will continue to follow the advice of the Federal and State Government and, in particular, our own Department of Education and Training. A recent letter to the Director-General of Education, Tony Cook, from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young, would indicate that the authorities are planning, wherever possible, to keep schools open. We will always act faithfully in accordance with the advice given and this may give the best insight into the thinking of the relevant authorities.

Coolum State High School has taken the necessary precautions of cancelling all assemblies and all non-essential excursions. We are also encouraging social distancing measures in keeping with Government advice. Academy activities have currently been cancelled until circumstances change. The school is taking the situation very seriously and is aiming to ensure that all information available is shared openly with parents and the community. It is a fluid situation with things changing constantly.

For me, this is a time of togetherness and a time when we can teach our children about life and its uncertainties. By working together, sharing, communicating and becoming a caring community we can grow stronger in the face of adversity. Our children need us to be strong, calm and composed as we face the uncertainties of our current environment. I would ask everyone to remain calm and mature in this situation and treat everyone in our community, including school staff, with the utmost care and respect. Together, we will grow stronger from this situation and emerge as a stronger and more compassionate community. Please take the time to stay safe and cherish your family and your children.

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 7

Reading to Learn is the signature teaching pedagogy used at Coolum State High School. This strategy is research proven to have a dramatic effect on improving student outcomes. You may have noticed highlighted sections of your child’s school work. This is but one small part of our teaching strategy. Reading to Learn is used throughout all faculties at Coolum SHS and thus it is important to share with you some details of the program.

WHAT IS IT?

• Reading to Learn is a set of strategies that enable teachers to support all the students in their classes to read and write at the levels they need to succeed.
• Strategies vary according to the needs of students, their year levels, the subject area and the kinds of texts they are expected to read and write.
• The program is focused on how teachers and learners interact to build knowledge through the use of texts.

WHY WE USE IT?

• In a secondary school context, we use the texts that they are expected to read in each subject area, to guide them to learn through reading, and to demonstrate what they learnt through writing.
• It will enable teachers to teach the skills that students need to independently learn in the curriculum from reading and writing.
• We are preparing our students to be successful in every phase of schooling, particularly for the external exams.

HOW WE USE IT?

• We first acknowledge that the central step to learning is the task and that knowledge comes through teacher-learner interactions.
• We use the Gradual Release Model – ‘I Do’, ‘We Do’ and ‘You Do’.
• We identify the purpose of our lesson – this will determine what strategy we are using.
• We carefully prepare our classroom interactions, so every student can always give the response we want, get affirmed, and be ready for the elaboration. This gives a powerful boost to learning for all students and enables all students to succeed.
• The first level is directly connected to learning the curriculum.
• The second level enables all students to read a short text with complete understanding and to use its language patterns in their own writing.
• The third level provides maximum support for students to develop foundation skills in reading with understanding, spelling and writing.

How Successful Is It?

In the second year of using this pedagogy our students received the highest writing results in Year 7 and 9 out of all state secondary schools on the Sunshine Coast. All faculties have achieve fantastic improvement in students understanding and achievements. We are excited for the future of our students and are confident, that with this approach, we will achieve successful destinations for all students.

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.

Planning for Excellence

I am a firm believer that excellence is most often reached when someone has a plan to achieve it, and then puts in the required work and effort to get there.

It doesn’t matter whether it is through your performance in a sport or musical instrument, your job or your school work – the principle of achievement through effort and persistence has stood the test of time.

Some people do fluke it, but they can’t do it very often.

Over these last few weeks of the term, when the assessment load is increasing, is a critical time for students to be planned be achieve their best. This may be as simple as time management, increased study efforts at home, or putting that extra 10% effort into their class work.

Please have a conversation with your child and ask what they will be doing over these next few weeks to plan for excellence. Simply talking it through can be the first step towards doing it.

Cross Country

Our school Cross Country is fast approaching and is being held on Friday 03 April. Our excellent HPE staff have been busily planning and preparing for this event. This year, the event is being held in conjunction with a Colour Run that is organised by the P&C. This promises to be a very exciting afternoon of competitive running followed by Colour Run fun!

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal –Senior Secondary Year 10

Excellence in everything we do

As we near the end of Term 1, I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Year 10 students on a very productive term. 2020 is an exciting year for Year 10 students and I encourage all students in Year 10, who’ve not yet collected a work experience form from Ms Tracy Ford, Head of Department – Vocational Education, to do so as soon as possible and organise a placement. Work Experience is due to run Term 2, 11-15 May. In previous years, students have found this process to be extremely informative in preparing for their Senior pathway choices and subject selection for Years 11 and 12.

Below is some key information for parents and students to consider as we move into the SET plan process:

• What is a QCE?
• What are the requirements for QCE eligibility?
• What is an ATAR?
• SET planning 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. In term 3 2020, dates to be confirmed, students are required to attend an interview, with a parent, to select subjects for 2021.

Prior to this interview, students will be required to complete the SET Planning and Career module on OneSchool and have filtered subject choices 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 2020 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 2021 academic year.

We will be running a dedicated information session for Year 10 parents early in Term 2 to go over this critical information and outline the process for your children throughout the remainder of 2020.

Emma Clarke
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 10

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

On Thursday morning, first week of Term 2, Coolum SHS will conduct our Anzac ceremony. Unfortunately due to the constraints of our physical resources we are unable to do a full school Anzac ceremony. This year we will have Year 7, 8, 9 and 12 with Year 10 and 11 students participating in smaller year level events. The expectation, as per previous years, is that students will attend school on that day in their formal uniform. Students will move to period 1 classes at the start of the school day. Students will be then given further instruction from their period 1 teachers.

It has been pleasing to see all of the senior students undertaking the block exams period with dedication, arriving for exams prepared and doing their best. Teachers have been extremely busy marking and reporting over the last two weeks. There has been a change to our normal reporting process with reports now being emailed home Friday afternoon Week 1 of Term 2.

Those students wishing to make subject changes need to do so within the first two weeks of Term 2 through the senior schooling head of department. Academic at risk meeting will be organised at the beginning of Term 2 for those students that are at risk of not getting their QCE.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

As always, the school is working hard to ensure our staff and students are safe, clean and healthy. We have increased our signage across the school to remind all our staff and students the importance of washing their hands and exercising hygienic practices. We are also putting in place measures to ensure that our supply of recommended cleaning products are available. Our cleaners are, as always, working hard to maintain a high standard of cleaning and are meeting all required obligations around cleaning practices during these unprecedented times.

In other news, we are very fortunate to have received the Ted O’Brien grant funding of $20,000. This will contribute towards the Performing Arts block refurbishment which includes new internal paint to the classrooms, new carpet and some shelving and minor works to some of the classrooms. There are some other areas of the block that we would like to refurbish and we are in the process of seeking other funding sources to help us achieve this. I know that the students and staff are very excited to see our Creative Arts block get the much-needed ‘face lift’!

Our new building is humming along nicely, with the expected completing date early August this year. This wonderful new addition to the school will mean so much for our students in Science, Health, Design and Technology, allowing them to flourish in a purpose-built space.

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

Wow! The term is over half way!!

What an exciting term we have had and yet there is more to come!!!

We have our colour run on the last day of term straight after the cross country. It is going to be a lot of fun with teachers, Deputy Principle’s and the Principle all running in the colour run.

We desperately need some help on the BBQ and service of drinks if anybody is free on the day?

Have you seen the drones flying around at the school lately? The P&C along with Dan Purdie and the school have been actively trying to receive funding to upgrade the traffic problems out the front of the school. In addition we have been rallying the bus company for more busses.

Fingers crossed, watch this space, we will keep you informed on any updates.

Our AGM is on Monday 23 March at 6pm. If you would like to be member or nominate for a position please email the P&C pandcexecutive@coolumshs.eq.edu.au by 12 noon on Monday 23rd March. Nomination forms can be found on the schools website.

Nicole Sklenars
President

Student Services

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) will be held on Friday 20 March 2020. The NDA 2020 marks the 10 year anniversary of Australia's key anti-bullying event for schools. The theme for 2020 is Take Action Together. The National Day of Action has been connecting school communities for 10 years.

The NDA is a catalyst for Australian schools to take a stand together against bullying. The day brings together more than 60% of schools nationwide, involving more than two million students in finding workable solutions to address bullying and violence. Everyone has a role to play in saying Bullying. No Way! Start thinking about how you can show your support for the NDA. It may be as simple as making time to have the conversation with your son/daughter. Let's get ready to Take Action Together on Friday 20 March 2020.

At COOLUM HIGH we will celebrate ‘positive and respectful interactions’ by conducting HOUSE (Binyama, Carcoola, Warringa, Yuroka) dodgeball games. Our Year 12 students will lead this activity at break times to encourage positive relationships through activity. Our wonderful home-group teachers who check-in with all students at the start of each day will also join in the fun.

Please find below two useful links for all parents;

Please take some time with your child to ‘Take Action together’.

Robbie Koch
Head of Student Services

Tutorials – Term 1

Sports News

Congratulations to Jesse Page, Willow Harrison, Dakoda Friske, Beau Pattison, Jakob O’Sullivan and Hailee O’Sullivan who have made Sunshine Coast teams. Jesse and Willow were selected in the boys and girls U18 Rugby League teams, Dakoda was selected in the U16 Girls Rugby Union team whilst Beau, Jakob and Hailee made it in for Swimming. Best of luck at your State Championships!

Well done to Rory Cowling and Jack Simpson who recently competed at the State Champs for U19 Boys Cricket. Their team came 3rd and Rory was named in the QLD side and won the All Rounder award. Rory will now play against NSW in Newcastle this Easter.

Congratulations to the following students who have made North District teams:

U15 Girls Touch Football – Bella McKeown
U12 Girls Netball – Hannah Azzopardi, Emily Azzopardi

Rep Sport calendar

See below the Rep Sport Calendar for 2020. It is recommended that you or your child mark important dates so that they don’t miss out on their sport of choice. However, sports get postponed and venues and dates chang all the time so be aware of that. Notices about upcoming trials are conveyed to students on parade each Monday, in home group notices as well as being displayed on the HPE notice board outside the HPE Staffoom.

Some students and parents get confused as to the difference between school sport offerings and rep sport trials. We field many teams where students have the opportunity to play as part of a team on a weekly basis. Examples include Basketball academy, Touch Academy, Justin Hodges 9s, Term 3 Girls Rugby Union, Term 4 Boys Rugby Union and many others. The goal of rep sport is to be selected in representative teams like the students listed above. They are not ‘come and try’ days and students trialling for rep sport teams should be of above average skill level in their chosen sport.

An important part of trialling for teams is that I sign your child’s form. They need school permission, from me to trial for their sport. I also need to sign their form for school approval if they are selected in the Noosa District/North District team. No signed form = no trial.

Year 8 inter school sport

Trials for Year 8 inter school sport were last Friday. Well done to the year 8s who showed enthusiasm to want to represent our school in sport. Teams will be posted on the notice board in the hall and forms will go out to selected students shortly.

School Cross Country

Our school cross country is on the last day of Term 1 in period 4. All students will be involved. Any student that wishes to represent our school at the North District Cross Country carnival needs to complete the long course and reach a qualifying time. Qualifying times will be posted on the HPE notice board in Week 10.

Eric Smyth
Sport Co-ordinator

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

Student Contribution

GREEN STUFF: Get involved in World Water Day without leaving the house!

World Water Day is a United Nations initiative held on 22 March each year to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and protecting freshwater resources. This year’s theme is ‘Water and Climate Change’.

Water is the primary medium through which we feel the effects of climate change. Water availability is becoming less predictable in many places, and increased incidences of flooding threaten to destroy water points and sanitation facilities, and contaminate water sources.

As the global population grows, so does the demand for water, which depletes natural resources and damages the environment in many places. Water is our most precious resource and we all need to use it more responsibly. The good news is there are surprisingly easy steps we can all take in our daily lives to help address water and climate change issues.

Brush your teeth with the tap off: leaving the tap running wastes up to 10L per minute.

Choose the half flush: 9% of household water use goes down the toilet. When you can, choose the half flush which uses 1.5L less water.

Go for 4 min showers: almost ¼ of household water is used in the shower. Cutting your shower time by just 2 minutes can result in a 30% water saving. Try using a timer or your favourite 4 minute song to time your shower.

Skip pre-rinsing dishes: instead of rinsing your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher or sink, scrape any meal leftovers into compost. Pre-rinsing dishes can double your water use and 30% of blockages in our wastewater system are caused by fats, oils and grease solidifying in pipes.

Plug the sink or use a bowl when washing vegies: running the tap to rinse fresh produce wastes a lot of water. Plugging the sink or using a bowl avoids water waste and the water collected can be used on the garden.

Fill your dishwasher before using it: running your dishwasher with only a half load doubles your water use. Waiting until its full and using the eco option are the best ways to maximise water efficiency.

Water before 9am: the biggest water savings you can make are in the garden. Watering before 9am allows for the water to soak into the roots and available to the plants throughout the day when they need it most. If you can’t water before 9, after 6pm is the next best option.

Lions Youth of the Year

Year 12 students, Kieran, Jye, Willow, Mika, Jess and Tyler participated in the Lions Youth of the Year competition that took place on Tuesday evening the 25th of February. Our local Lions and Lioness clubs put on a beautiful dinner and supper and ran a beautiful evening with community stakeholders, upholding the traditions forged over many years.

The students were judged on the following aspects: their community and academic engagement, their responses to challenging impromptu questions on Climate Change and the Australian Bushfire Crisis and delivering a speech on a subject they are passionate about.

The Public Speaker of the Year was awarded to Tyler Mohr and each club declared their winners: Coolum Lioness Club winner- Mika Joyce-Mangschou and Coolum Lions Club winner – Tyler Mohr.

Tyler and Mika are entering the Zone Final Round of the competition at the Coolum Beach RSL on Saturday from midday. We wish them the best of luck!

Jess Puncheon
Head of Year 12
Drama and English Teacher

General News

The Department of Transport and Main Roads are continuing with the free workshops for Supervisors of Learner Drivers in 2020.

This article is to promote and advertise the workshops – they are aimed at providing handy tips and information to mums and dads teaching learners to drive.

TMR really appreciates the support from the school community with the advertising of the previous workshops – just over 40% of all participants noted that they found out about the workshop from their local high school, so thank you!

Our next workshop will be held at Maroochydore on Thursday 30 April.

Media item:

Are you teaching someone how to drive? Want some advice on how best to prepare your learner and keep them safe on the road?

If you’re interested in learning the important first steps in how to teach your learner driver and ensure they are safe and proficient drivers, book into the next workshop (details provided below) or contact Helenea for more information on 0417 733 906.

Planning for Success: Workshop details (bookings are essential)

Date: Thursday 30 April 2020
Time: 4pm – 6pm
Location: Maroochydore area – venue and address details provided at time of booking
Bookings: To book, contact Helenea from the Road Safety team on 0417 733 906

“Please stay safe on the roads”

Dates for your Diary