24 July 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

At the end of last term, we received fantastic news for three staff members of Coolum State High School. Claire Lewis, our Head of Department (Technology), transferred to Redcliffe State High School after a long and successful time working at Coolum High. Sharon Devery was promoted to the position of Acting Business Manager at Eumundi State School after being part of the friendly and professional front office staff of our school. Emma Clarke, meanwhile, has been promoted to the position of permanent foundation Deputy Principal at the new high school in Baringa after shining as Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Department (Creative Arts) at Coolum High. The success of these staff in winning new roles reflects the quality of the work being done at Coolum High by all staff and students, and we wish them all the very best in their new roles.

This term, after having such disruption this year due to the coronavirus, I would like to focus on school attendance and making ours an outstanding school for the attendance of our amazing students. In this, I have had to ask myself why attendance is so important to me. There are a whole range of reasons why I find attendance so important, but the most compelling is that it gives students the best possible opportunity for success in life. Full attendance at school, every day, means that students don’t miss anything in the sequence of learning. It develops the habits that will ensure success in the workplace. Attendance every day develops “grit,” the quality above all else that current researchers are finding underpins a student’s success in life; their ability to engage resiliently and successfully in life and cope with the bumps and strains of life with confidence and strength. Attendance really does matter, and every single day attendance is the cornerstone of each student’s success. I am hoping that this term we can grow our understanding of the importance of school attendance, and see every one of our students at school every day, except in the case of genuine illness.

As things gradually return to normal, I would encourage all students to become involved, in some way, in the CAST – the Clubs, Academies, Societies and Tutorials that enhance each student’s experience of school. From basketball to robotics, from chess to tutorials, and from touch football to art club there is something for everyone and I would encourage every student to become part of the action. Let’s get back into the things we enjoy and that make life great.

Last but not least, I would like to pay tribute to and encourage our Year 12 students as they enter the last year of their high school education. Our Year 12s, who currently look fantastic in their new jerseys, have one last semester to consolidate their friendships, experience some ‘coming of age’ rituals such as the senior formal and set their sights on achieving as highly as possible in their studies. For ATAR-eligible students, they will be pioneers of Queensland’s new approach to senior education, and undertake the first edition of the public exams that form part of this process. We wish every Year 12 all the best and, above all things, hope each student has a clear and fulfilling plan in place for the next stage of their journey after school ends.

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 7

Tutorials

The tutorial service, provided freely by many of our staff, is highly valued everyone. For many years it has created an extra opportunity for students to gain assistance in their studies and will continue to do so. For the tutorials to be effective it is vital that the student personally wants to be there and has come with their work that they would like help with. Students that attend the tutorials will be required to sign in and out on an attendance form.

Venue: Library
Commence: Week 2
Time: 3pm to 4pm. Students are not required to stay for the full hour but are required to sign out when they leave.

Enrolments

Year 7 enrolment applications are due now. If you have a student commencing Year 7 in 2021, please ensure you have submitted their enrolment application to our office. This will greatly assist us with our planning for 2022.

Academies 2021

If you are interested in being part of one of our exciting and highly successful academies in 2021, ensure you download and application form and return it immediately to our office. The application can be downloaded by clicking here.

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.

Welcome back to Term 3

It is great to see students and staff back at school after what I hope has been an enjoyable and relaxing holiday break. It was nice to see people out-and-about in the Coolum-Peregian community during this time, something I am sure our local businesses very much appreciated. It was also great to see a number of students enjoying time with friends, something that was much harder to do during the Easter holidays.

Attendance

In my message just prior to the holidays, I wrote that Education Queensland had announced the return to pre-COVID-19 Student Attendance Requirements for all school-aged students. In other words, by legislation, students are required to attend school every day, unless due to medical or emergent reasons.

One area that remains a focus for improvement is student attendance. Attendance at school keeps students up to date with their learning and assessment requirements, builds relationships with teachers, and gives them regular and supportive contact with their peers. As the successful transition into a positive career is one of the goals of a secondary education, it is absolutely necessary that students attend school each and every day.

In my role in working with Year 9 students, I am especially committed to this focus. Positive attendance and academic results through the junior years can set students up for great success in the senior years. I encourage any parents of Year 9 students to contact myself as Deputy Principal, Joel Hughes (Head of Year 9) or our guidance officers if your child is having any issues in relation to their attendance at school every day.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal –Senior Secondary Year 10

As I step into the role of Year 10 Deputy Principal, I would like to thank Ms Emma Clarke for her excellent work as Deputy Principal at Coolum SHS over the last 18 months. She has developed strong relationships with the Year 10 cohort, families and the wider community, and I know she will be sorely missed. We all wish her the best in her role as a foundation Deputy Principal at the new secondary school opening in Baringa in 2021.

Year 10 - What you need to know about SET Planning

- At this juncture in your child’s schooling, it is vital to start considering future pathways. This will influence your child’s 2021 subject selection and SET Plan process. A SET Plan, known as the Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan, helps students decide which learning options they should choose to achieve their learning, further education and training, and career goals.

There are multiple stages to this process which must be considered and completed.

You should have received a copy of the Coolum State High School Senior Secondary Course and Information Handbook. You and your child need to read the information outlined in this document carefully. Identify possible pathways, for example an ATAR or Non ATAR pathway, and consider the best possible subject combination that will help set your child up for success.

Students will complete a mock subject selection and also be required to complete additional information such as possible career options and future pathways. We understand that some students may not know what they want to do, however if you read the information and seek further information on websites, for example; universities, TAFE, or work places, then you will be better informed.

The SET Plan interviews with you and your child will take place on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th August. Bookings will be made online and information will be distributed to parents prior to these dates.

Our job is to help your child to develop an individual learning plan of action to achieve success and leave school with a viable pathway. We are looking forward to seeing you at the SET Plan day and discuss your child’s future.

Emma Curnow
Acting Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 10

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

Welcome back to term three, a very important time for our year 12 students as they strive for academic excellence. Over the next three weeks, year 12 students will have a heavy assessment load as they finish of the last of their internal assessment pieces for general subjects. Students studying general subjects will then move into external exam prep for the remainder of term 3 and early term 4. Currently our guidance staff are interviewing the year 12 students to assist them with career planning and QTAC applications. While COVID 19 has many well publicised negative impacts, the one positive will be the ability to enter university courses in 2021.

During the first few weeks of this term, senior reporting, attendance and behaviour data will be analysed to identify students that are at risk of not receiving a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). QCE at risk interviews with senior students will be taking place to identify the areas of concern and developing improvement strategies to ensure success in the next reporting period.

The senior schooling team has reset our standards in terms of attendance and this has been well communicated. Attendance will continue to be used as a contributing factor to students being eligible for our celebratory events and senior schooling jersey for the year 12 cohort in 2021. Student need to strive for at least 92% and follow our attendance policy by turning up to school on time and communicating absences to the attendance officer if unwell. We will continue to work closely with our senior students to ensure they are fully aware of their attendance percentage.

Lee Merrett
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

Welcome back to school. It’s safe to say that this year has been like no other, as we experience the ups and downs of COVID-19. But here at the school, our focus continues to be our students and staff. 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 of washing their hands and exercising hygienic practices. We have also put 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.

Road Safety

At our school, we are committed to students and staff safety in all areas. One of those areas is how we think and act around road safety. With large enrolment numbers, the importance of how we enter and exit the school is paramount and observing all the road rules and parking appropriately and in legal areas is very important, to ensure our students and staff are safe. This also means not using the staff carpark as a pick-up and drop-off zone; parking in the bus zone; or parking in non-designated spaces. We have attached some safety tips from the Department of Transport and Main Roads that will help us all stay safe.

Fees

We understand that this may be a difficult time for many families as they face the uncertainty of job losses under Covid-19. Please make a time to speak with me if you are experiencing financial difficulties with SRS fees, subject fees or uniforms. We will do our best to support you.

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

Science

Welcome all back to Term 3. Upcoming events:

National Science Week

National Science Week will take place 15 – 23 August, Week 6. This year’s Theme in 2020is the Deep Blue: Innovations for the future of Oceans. Again this year we are making Wax wraps to reduce the amount of plastic litter entering our oceans. More Information to be released soon on FB.

Elemental Art – Periodic Table

In September of 2016 local artist John Fuller applied for a grant and put together a team of absolute committed local artists and with the help of students and staff from Coolum SHS, Coolum SS and Peregian Springs SS. The resulting “Elemental Art” exhibition contained 118 elements as 28cm x 28cm artworks. Elemental art has been on permanent display in front of the Science block since 2017, described as an ephemeral (Short lived – L Kryger.) display has run its course and now is being individually deconstructed. If you were one of the many contributors and would like to retain your piece please make contact with myself to organise collection.

The beautiful Trish Robson and Lynda Kryger at the opening in 2016, Coolum Laneway.

Elemental art in 2020, Coolum SHS – Science Building.

Time Flies – Art Stays – Year 8 (2016) when created – Year 12 (2020) – completed. Lilli Coleman (L) – Amie Taylor (R)

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at school on 54715333 or by email at polse3@eq.edu.au

Paul Olsen
Head of Department - Science

Creative Arts

Instrumental Music

Our instrumental music and vocal program ensembles (and lessons) have recommenced in full for Term 3 with appropriate COVID plans in place for students and teachers. Our lesson timetables have been emailed out to parents and students and are also posted on the window in the PA4 classroom.

Our ensemble rehearsal schedule for Term 3 is below for your information:

Monday – Wind Symphony (3 – 4:30pm)
Tuesday – Coolum Voices (7:15 – 8:30am)
Wednesday – String Orchestra (7:15 – 8:30am)
Thursday – Wind Symphony (7:15 – 8:30am)
Thursday – Concert Band (3 – 4pm)

Please contact your instrumental music or vocal program teacher if you have any questions or queries.

Clare Deady (brass) - cdead3@eq.edu.au (Thursday afternoons)
Sharelle Guest (woodwind) - sgues28@eq.edu.au (Monday afternoon, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday all day)
Tara Anderson (strings) - tjand1@eq.edu.au (Wednesday all day)
Rohan Hardy (percussion) - rhard61@eq.edu.au (PA staffroom)
Charlotte Bradshaw (vocal) - cabra0@eq.edu.au (PA staffroom)

Songspark

Our song-writing and music production program SongSpark is also back this term on Wednesday afternoons from 3-4pm in PA6. We have a great plan ahead for the Semester with some guest artist visits and workshops, some amazing project-based-learning opportunities in music making and a showcase booked for the end of this year. The students have been making some great music and we’re looking forward to sharing with the community in the near future.

Visual Art Extension

On Thursday afternoon (3 - 4:30pm) in Week 1, we launched our Visual Art Extension program facilitated by our Senior Visual Art teacher, Ms Kryger. We have enrolled 15 students into the pilot program this Semester and our workshops involve extending 2D and 3D techniques and developing visual diaries with a view toward entering some work into the Young Archies as well as some gallery events in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast Region toward the end of this year. We can’t wait to share more soon!

Year 8 Arts Electives

Year 8 students commencing the Arts Semester block were handed new timetables on Monday with new Arts electives. Students have been allocated electives based on preferences placed with me in November of Year 7 (2019) and in most cases have been offered an elective based on either their first of second preference. I have been making some minor subject changes over the last week to ensure students are well placed to succeed and to get engaged!

School Website

Over the next five weeks we are building a new section for co-curricular music on our school website. The website will detail lesson and ensemble requirements, levies, events, uniform and extra-curricular opportunities within our music program. We will also be updating information regarding SongSpark as well as our Instrumental Music Academy (which is further developed as we have grown in enrolment).

If there are details you’d like to see included in our website, please contact me via the details at the bottom of this article.

Mapleton Music Camp

Ms Guest is in the process of organising an instrumental music camp at Mapleton QCCC in October (Week 2, Term 4) this year. We had tentatively booked the venue at the beginning of this year and the easing of Government restrictions and the provision of COVID plans and departmental policy have given us the green light to go ahead.

Ms Guest is emailing home an EOI to all students in the instrumental music and vocal programs that we would like returned to the PA staffroom by Friday the 29th of July. We have included an indicative cost for the three-day camp and we would love for families to consider this opportunity for the students.

Music camps are not only a great opportunity to practice together and make music but they create lifelong memories and friendships among students across all year levels that really help to build a positive culture and a sense of belonging in our school.

If you have any questions about any of the topics raised above please reach out an contact me at rohan.hardy@eq.edu.au

Rohan Hardy
Head of Department – Creative Arts

Student Contribution

Green Stuff – Plastic Free July

It seems there’s nothing that hasn’t been affected by COVID-19 in one way or another, including the progress that has been made in reducing single-use plastics. Around the world we have seen businesses stop accepting customer’s reusable cups for takeaway drinks, restaurants and cafes shifting to takeaway only and some states and countries banning the use of reusables including shopping bags.

Fortunately here on the Coast sustainability and recycling efforts are continuing, and you can be part of it by participating in Plastic Free July. Next year the coronavirus will hopefully be a thing of the past but plastic pollution won’t be. It’s important that we don’t increase plastic waste and litter in the meantime. The power of change remains in the hands of every one of us and the need for Plastic Free July is, if anything, greater than before.

So if you haven’t started to cut back on your own personal use of plastic, now is a great time to kick it off. Choose to refuse and ditch the “Big 4” this July: coffee cups, plastic straws, water bottles and plastic bags.

If you’re part of the 60% already refusing plastic shopping bags, avoiding pre-packed fruit and veg, picking up other people's litter and avoiding buying bottled water, here’s a few other things you might want to try.

Soap: swap out plastic packaged shower and shave products with bars of soap. They come in different blends to suit body washing, face wash, shampoo and shaving so your line-up of bottles may become a line-up of bars.

Bin Liners: lining the bin with a few sheets of newspaper, using certified compostable bin liner bags or using the bin as a ‘naked bin’ and simply washing it out as needed.

Buy less: before buying something ask yourself ‘do I really need this? Or do I already have something that will serve the same purpose? Can I borrow it from a friend or family member instead of buying it brand new?’ Buying reusable products, choosing items with the least amount of packaging or no packaging like at a bulk food store, is also a good way of reducing the amount of waste.

Dates for your Diary

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