5 August 2020
Newsletter Articles
Principal’s Report
Dear Parents,
Every parent, student and community member who has come to the school in the past 12 months will have witnessed the sure and steady rise of our amazing new state of the art building at the front of the school. It’s impossible to miss; a magnificent structure which will offer our students incredible opportunities in their practical learning.
The $6.7 million building quickly became a necessity following the construction of the Smart Futures Centre, which we had almost outgrown before it was built as student enrolments skyrocketed.
We are very grateful to the Queensland Government and Minister Grace Grace for the support they have given the Coolum High community by fast-tracking the construction of this fully air-conditioned building. Our students will benefit enormously from the science laboratories, design studios, fully equipped health rooms, flexible learning areas and general classrooms.
Business Manager, Nolly Griffiths, has worked tirelessly with the building contractors over the past months, and we are indebted to her for the work she has done making sure the process has been a smooth one.
The building makes the most of our environment by being oriented to the sea breeze and designed to capture the natural light. At the top of the stairs, Mount Emu is an imposing sight and was the focus for the name of the building which will shortly be made public. Modern colours, fixtures and fittings, have been incorporated throughout, and acoustic panelling will minimise corridor noise, enhancing students' learning environment. The gardens have been landscaped with native and hardy coastal plants, and a massive grassed area for students to enjoy.
Aside from all of these enhancements, our Health Hub will be completely fitted out with hospital furniture donated by the Nambour General Hospital. Students from nearby high schools will also be offered the opportunity to participate in the Health program and access this incredible facility, giving real life meaning to their studies.
With everything that 2020 has thrown at us all over the past few months, the imminent opening of the building is an incredibly exciting time. We look forward to seeing our talented students utilizing all the features that the building has, and making the most of all the opportunities available at Coolum High.
Troy Ascott
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.
Attendance
We continue to chase improvement at Coolum State High School and one current area of focus is student attendance. Attendance at school keeps students up to date with their learning and assessment requirements, builds relationships with teachers, and gives students 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.
Positive attendance and academic results through the junior years can set students up for great success in the senior years. As the schoolwork becomes more difficult, coming to school every day is vital to ensure students have the best chances of success.
I encourage any parents of Year 9 students to contact myself as Deputy Principal, Joel Hughes as our 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 11 & 12
Over the coming 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.
The senior schooling team has been feverishly analysing, senior reporting, attendance and behaviour data to identify students that are at risk of not receiving a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). QCE at risk interviews and intervention programs have been developed to ensure every one of our senior students graduates Coolum SHS with a QCE.
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
YEAR 10 SET PLANNING
On August 12 and 13 the Year 10 SET Planning process will take place for subject selection. Please note that we will require a 25% payment on the day of the subject fee selection and without this 25% payment, your child may not be enrolled into the subject.
SUBJECT FEES POLICY
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
- 25% of the total cost of subject fees paid upon selection; and
- the remaining balance paid by Term 4, week 8
The school accepts Centrelink or BPOINT as payment plan options should you be experiencing financial difficulties and there are slightly different due dates for these families. Please contact me to discuss your 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.
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
Junior School
In weeks two and three of this term, it has been our great pleasure to welcome students from Peregian Springs State School and Coolum State School as part of our ‘High School Experience’ program. This program involves year 6 students from local primary schools joining us for two lessons at the Coolum State High School campus as an integral part of their transition to secondary schooling. It has been an absolute pleasure to meet these students and their conduct and behaviour while here has been exemplary. Students have engaged in a range of wonderful learning activities including Science, Humanities, HPE, Art, Music, Industrial Technology & Design and Japanese. Judging by the smiling faces as I made my way around the classrooms, it certainly appears we have many students who are very keen to commence their high school careers!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all teachers involved in the program for their wonderful and engaging lessons. This is just a sample of the magnificent job being done by our committed staff, each and every day.
If you would like information on how to enrol, please contact our friendly office staff – they will be more than happy to assist you. If you have any general questions relating to the high school transition process, please feel free to contact me via email – avand1@eq.edu.au – or through the school office.
Alex Van Dorsselaer
Head of Department – Junior School & Languages
Student Contribution
Green Stuff – 10 good reasons to plant a tree
Sunday 2nd August was National Tree Day, but Planet Ark made the difficult decision to cancel official planting events this year due to ongoing uncertainty around potential restrictions on gatherings.
The good news? You don’t need to wait for an official event to plant in your own back yard or vegetable patches, and here’s 10 good reasons why you should:
- Trees combat climate change
Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) is building up in our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing oxygen back into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 42,000 kms. - Trees clean the air
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark. - Trees provide oxygen
In one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people. - Trees conserves energy
Three trees placed strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 percent. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants. - Trees save water
Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need only 50 litres of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric moisture. - Trees help prevent water pollution
Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies. - Trees provide food
An apple tree can yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the tiniest urban lot. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife. - Trees heal
Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue. - Trees increase property value
The beauty of a well-planted property and its surrounding street and neighborhood can raise property values by as much as 15 percent. - Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife
There are many native species that provide excellent urban homes for birds, bees, possums and other native wildlife.
Dates for your Diary
|
TERM 3 2020 |
|
|
12-13 August |
Year 10 Set Plan Interviews |
|
20 August |
Principal Tour 4:00pm |
|
28 August |
Year 7 and Year 10 Immunisations |
|
4 September |
Staff Professional Development Day |
|
8 September |
Principal Tour 9.00am |
|
10 September |
Midwinter Ball |
|
16 September |
Year 11 Hospitality Excursion (Spirit House) |
|
16 September |
Hello World Excursion (Year 11 and Year 12) |
|
18 September |
Last Day of Term 3 |
|
6 October |
First Day of Term 4 |
|
Tutorials – Homework Club Reminder to all that we have Tutorials in the Library every Wednesday from 3:00pm – 4:15pm. Teachers from across all areas will be available for support with homework, assignments and extra assistance with class work. It has been great to see more and more students coming and we are looking forward to its ongoing success in this conducive environment with a group of fantastic teachers from all curriculum areas. Proudly supported by White’s IGA - Fresh and Local – Supporting our communities at Peregian Beach & Mount Coolum
|
|
Tutorials – Term 3 Getting the best out of Tutorials Term 3 Why attend Tutorials? Tutorials are designed to complement classroom lessons. In classes, content, skills and activities are presented by a teacher to a large number of students (i.e. up to 28 students). During 70 minute lessons, opportunities to have one on one time with students is limited, i.e. discuss the content and teach skills. Tutorials are less formal than classes and are conducted in smaller groups, and also one on one. Best still our teachers do this based on good will, i.e. for the students. Tutorials give you the opportunity to actively engage with the course content and get to know other students and teachers, in a relaxed and conducive environment. Questions about the information presented in the classes can be clarified, for example, how best to approach an assessment task. As a result, tutorials can improve:
You can learn from a variety of other teachers (i.e. different perspectives) and you can utilise other students’ knowledge, also known as peer tutoring. This means that tutorials can save you study time and help you to prepare for assignments and exams. Your role in Tutorials Tutorials can be stimulating and also a lot of fun. However, their success depends on the participation of the students. You will get more out of a tutorial if you:
Preparing effectively for Tutorials You need to be prepared to participate actively in your tutorials. The more preparation you do, the more valuable the tutorial will be for you. Consider:
Frequently asked questions Q. Where are tutorials held? Q. When are tutorials on? Q. Are students supervised? Q. Are students given snacks at tutorials? Q. Are tutorials for Maths and Science only? Consider forming a study group with other students to tackle studies, homework, understanding classwork and assessment tasks. Proudly supported by White’s IGA - Fresh and Local – Supporting our communities at Peregian Beach & Mount Coolum
|
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