25 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

What a rollercoaster of emotions Coolum State High School students, parents and staff have experienced over the past month!

The last few weeks have seen the first Year 12 external exams start and finish. Our staff and students received high praise from the Invigilators for the calm and ordered organisation of this incredibly important process. We too, are so proud of the students for the way they conducted themselves during this very stressful time. As throughout this very unusual and difficult year, they faced each situation with maturity and resilience.

With pride and sadness our parents and staff farewelled the graduating Year 12s of 2020 on Wednesday evening at the Cap and Gown Graduation Ceremony and Clapout on Thursday. Even with the COVID restrictions constantly changing, both events were amazing and we are so grateful that our Year 12 parents were able to attend and join us in revelling in the students’ successes.

On Wednesday afternoon, we were so fortunate to experience our very own ‘Day on the Green’ on the Wandama Lawn. Four of our incredibly talented staff members performed some classic songs, and entertained the students and their parents before the Graduation Ceremony. It is always a wonderful opportunity for students to see their teachers in a different light, and the performance on Wednesday was awe-inspiring for all of us.

All of the students who presented at the Graduation, including our incoming school captains Charlotte Luck and Ethan Irvine, spoke beautifully. Our joint Valedictorians, Maddi and Chanelle Astley, were truly inspiring and shared the deep appreciation they have for Coolum High and all the staff and community members who have supported them on their journey, and the journey of their peers.

The wonderful celebrations I’ve been a part of, and the incredibly bright and talented students filling our classrooms hold so much potential for our future.

With all of the formal occasions over for 2020, the remainder of the school year is focussed on quality teaching and learning in the classroom.

Year 10 students are currently on exam block and in accordance with school policy, students on exam timetables may make their own way home on completion of their exams. It is expected that students use their non-school time to study for their next exam.

All students in Years 7 – 9 must be at school on every school day. Research shows that regular attendance is integral to successful academic, employment and social outcomes. Accordingly, it is important that students, staff and parents/carers have a shared understanding of the importance of regular student attendance.

Casting forward to 2021, we will continue on a path that leads our students to achieve outstanding results which will give them every opportunity to be the very best version of themselves.

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 7

2021 enrolment applications are still open. If you have a child commencing their secondary education next year, please ensure you have completed your enrolment application and have returned it to the school office as soon as possible. There will be a full transition day for 2021 Year 7 students on Tuesday 1 December. Students must be enrolled in our school before this date to attend the transition day.

Tutorials

Tutorials have finished for 2020. The tutorial service is widely used by many students at Coolum SHS. The afternoon commences at 2:45pm with a fruit platter before the students move into the library at 3.00pm for assistance with their school work. This free service is available due to our dedicated staff who donate their time to assist the students. I would like to publicly thank them for the amazing work they do.

Tutorials will recommence in Week 3 of Term 1, 2021.

Anthony Swan
Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal - Senior Secondary Year 11 & 12

It is with great excitement, and a tinge of sadness, that we have said farewell to our grauating class of 2020. On Wednesday 18 November, our school hosted the formal cap and gown Graduation Ceremony and was attended by students, staff and parents. The evening began on our beautifully decorated Wandama lawn, with entertainment and refreshments. Our invited guests, students and staff then witnessed the formal part of the evening as graduates were presented with certificates, and the prestigious Subject Awards for the highest performing student in each subject. The evening was stunning and proudly showcased our wonderful graduates.

We continued our celebrations on Thursday 19 November with our whole school community for the Clap Out Ceremony. Students had their final roll call with their Home Group Teacher and received a graduation gift from the Coolum SHS P&C Committee. There were also three special awards presented to students in recognition of their commitment to care, respect and excellence. Congratulations to the following recipients:

Our Year 12s were cheered out of the school by the entire school community. We wish you all the best and are very proud of you all.

On Saturday 19 December, at 11.00am, we invite our graduates to attend a morning tea at Coolum State High School to celebrate the announcement of ATAR scores. There will be members of our leadership team and the Senior Schooling team waiting to share in the exciting news.

Year 11 Update

Our Year 11 cohort are now officially the leaders of the school and they have a big job ahead of them. In Week 5, students completed exams and have now been back in the routine of classes, in some cases, beginning summative units of work.

You should have received communication regarding the Year 12 Retreat which will be taking place Monday February 1, 2021 at the Luther Heights Youth Camp in Coolum. This is a compulsory event and is one which prepares our students for the year ahead of them. We have guest presenters, workshops, team building, and an opportunity to form new friendships and unify the group.

Well done to our newly appointed student leaders who have been doing a wonderful job in leading school ceremonies and helping build community relationships. I hope you have a safe and happy break and look forward to seeing you return ready for a prosperous 2021.

Emma Curnow
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary

Business Services News

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME 2021

We have started invoicing the SRS fee of $300 for 2021. Please look out for this in your email. Your early payment is appreciated as we are in the process of planning 2021. 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.

SUBJECT FEES

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 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

Tutorials – Term 4

Sports News

Surfing Academy

On Saturday Coolum State High School held its surf competition and academy selection process day at Coolum Beach. The surf was average and variable throughout the day.

Junior girls saw Stella Scudamore take first place, Senior girls: Anna-lei Petit, Senior boys: Kai Barraclough, Primary girls: Brisa Canina and Primary boys: Jarvis Pelikan took out their respective divisions.

The Junior boys' division was strongly contested with a field of 16, clearly the stand out division of the event. The competitors battled it out with Luan Canina, Ryder Chevins, Ashton Pignat and Jye Pegg earning a spot in the final. Congratulations to Ashton for taking out 1st place in the most competitive category.

Well done to everyone that entered, thank you to the staff who donated time on a Saturday and families who came to support some talented kids!

Also, a massive thank you to our community volunteers Jeff Previti (Head Judge), and Kathryn Trinder (Judge) who gave up there Saturday to help run a great event. A big round of applause for Miss Wakeling who has given up every Thursday morning all year to help make our great academy what it is today.

Adam Baldwin
Surf Academy Co-ordinator

Surfing Competition

Our AFL academy players enjoyed an afternoon training with Brisbane Lions defender

Shannon Campbell. This caps off the mini-series against Sunshine and St Teresa’s post covid. Thanks again to our AFL coaches and I know the players will enjoy a great 2021.

Our U14 Rugby Union team finished their season with a 20 – 17 over James Nash 2 and a 30 – 15 loss to Victory College (Gympie) over the past 2 weeks. The boys have trained hard at lunch breaks 3 times a week and have shown enthusiasm to learn the sport of Rugby Union with most of our team having not played before. We look forward to next year.

Our Basketball academy teams recently played in their final’s series. In the semis our Intermediate C Boys had a close fought win over St Johns Navy 19 – 15 whilst our Junior B Girls beat St Andrew’s 50 – 32. This meant that both teams qualified in top spot and would play Unity College and Siena respectively the following week. Intermediate C Boys had a convincing win over Unity 42 – 27 whilst the girls fought hard in a 23 – 13 loss to Siena. I would like to thank coaches, Mr Sinclair, Mr Stewart and Mr Choy for all their hard work with our basketballers this year.

Mr Smyth
Sport Co-ordinator

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

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