10 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

2021 has started off with an amazing buzz of anticipation for a fantastic year!

Our first school day of the year saw a massive 288 Year 7 students begin their secondary education journey with us, looking resplendent in their new uniforms. Our Junior Secondary team began preparing the students for this transition last year and it was clear that the students were confident, excited and prepared for this exciting chapter to begin.

Year 7 Students Day 1

We also welcomed another 64 new students across all other year levels who are looking forward to continuing their education at Coolum High.

As you would have seen in my email to parents last Friday, Coolum State High School has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years. In 2021, our official Day 8 number of enrolments is an incredible 1433 students. In the past five years, the Day 8 number has increased by more than 500 students. Whilst this increase can, in some part, be attributed to the many families who have discovered the wonderful Sunshine Coast and made the Coolum and Peregian towns their homes, it is also a testament to the enviable reputation that Coolum High has gained through a consistent strategic approach to ensuring that each and every student is given opportunities for a bright and exciting future.

Last Friday saw the first of our annual events held with the Swimming Carnival providing everyone with some very competitive and exciting races. It was great to see the teachers’ team finally winning over the students in the 4 x 25 metre teacher/student relay. It has been a long time coming!!

A huge ‘thank you’ must go to the organising team from the HPE Department for putting on a fantastic day for our students.`

We have some very important and informative sessions scheduled this term with the first being our ‘Meet the Team’ Parent Information Evening which is scheduled for Wednesday 17 February. We welcome all parents and their children from Years 7 – 11 to hear important information for the 2021 school year. An email regarding this event was sent to parents last Friday and we look forward to seeing as many parents and students as possible.

The African proverb ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ never gets old and in some ways is truer these days than ever before and we look forward to working with our parents throughout 2021. As our community grows and changes, so does our need to be a united team with our children as they take their journey through adolescence and into life. In 2021, it is the year we can see our school community shine!

Troy Ascott
Principal

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 7

It has been an exciting start to the year at Coolum State High School with 287 Year 7 students. This progressive school is achieving great pathways for students with our highly motivated teachers. It will be a great year for these new students as it will be for all students at Coolum SHS.

Our excellent Academy programs are starting to fire up again. In addition to Instrumental Music, Surfing, Basketball, Cheerleading, AFL, Chess, Netball and Young Entrepreneurs, we also have anew academy, Robotics. The fantastic success in 2020 of the existing programs has laid the foundation for continued excellence in 2021.

It was wonderful to see our students smartly presented in their uniforms at school. It demonstrates the pride they have in themselves and their school. With the welcoming staff and pleasant students, the transition for our new Year 7 students has been wonderful.

Meet the Team Night: On Wednesday 17 February, we would like to welcome all families to our Meet the Team afternoon. The event will commence at 4:00pm in the hall before the families break of into year level gatherings. After the year level gatherings, we would like everyone to meet in the Year 7 area where our hardworking P&C will have a BBQ and refreshment available. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Program

4.00pm – 4.15pm: Principal Address (Hall)

4:25pm to 4:45pm:

Year 7: Remain in hall
Year 8: G01 to G04
Year 9: G05 to G08
Year 10: Brahminy Kite

4:45pm to 5:10pm

Year 11: Brahminy Kite

5:05pm to 5:30pm: Move to the Year 7 area for sausage sizzle and refreshments

Anthony Swan
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal - Junior Secondary Year 8 & 9

A Warm Welcome

I would like to thank the Coolum High school community for such a warm welcome as I have settled in over the last two weeks. I have been in awe already of the achievements and pride displayed by our students towards our school. It is clear to see the sense of community and high standards through the commitments to school events such as the swimming carnival last Friday and school assembly performances and awards.

This year, I have the privilege of working with the year 8 and 9 students. Through our continued focus on Care, Respect and Excellence, there is no doubt that 2021 will be a year of high achievements for all. There are several simple steps that students can take to ensure a successful school year including taking responsibility for attendance every day, being prepared with all learning materials including charged laptops for classes and remaining focused and actively engaged in learning in every lesson. It is also a great idea for your child to take advantage of all the extracurricular opportunities such as the CAST activities starting this week. It is through these actions that students feel a strong connection to their school and can develop new friendships, interests and talents.

I am looking forward to working with you all in 2021 and celebrating all the wonderful achievements that our students will accomplish this year.

Nicola Worthington
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

Deputy Principal – Senior Secondary Year 10 and 11

Our Vision: That students have the confidence, desire and belief to succeed through strong foundations in literacy and numeracy.

Student Code of Conduct

In 2021, all state schools have introduced a Student Code of Conduct – which replaces the previous Responsible Behaviour Plan.

Similar to the Responsible Behaviour Plan, the Student Code of Conduct outlines key expectations, support and interventions that is available to students.

Key components are:

• Student Wellbeing and Support Network;
• Whole School Approach to Discipline;
• Disciplinary Consequences;
• School Policies;
• Restrictive Practices; and
• Critical Incidents.

Our Student Code of Conduct is available here on our school website. I encourage all families to have a read through it.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Secondary

Deputy Principal – Senior Secondary Year 12

I warmly welcome all students to Year 12, their final year of secondary education, and introduce myself and the Senior School team.

The year has already started with a bang, with our group attending the Year 12 Retreat at Luther Heights Youth Camp in Coolum. Students engaged with guest presenters from Peer Power and were able to strengthen their connection and unite as a group, ready for the year ahead. Thank you to all parents who were able to attend the Parent Information session. It was wonderful to see so many in attendance.

The number of year 12 students attending the swimming carnival was outstanding. Our House Captains were motivated and took the lead in organising events, ensuring students were pumped and ready for their race. It was wonderful to see our leaders building our school culture.

I would like to communicate some vital information with you to ensure the school year is enjoyable and successful for all.

Firstly, I would like to say how pleased I was with all students in their first week. They were excited to be reunited with friends and teachers, and they all looked fabulous in their formal uniforms. The students have slipped back into the daily school routine easily and have already commenced curriculum work and assessment in all subject areas.

Senior school team

Senior students are supported by the following staff and, at any time, can seek support from the following staff –

Academic achievement

The senior school team monitors the progress of all senior students very closely. Students' results are tracked and intervention strategies implemented where required to ensure success. If students are at risk of failing subjects and/or do not meet deadlines for draft and final submission of assessment, there will be a conversation with the student, parent/carer, and Deputy Principal to ensure students refocus and get back on track.

Mentoring

This year your child will be assigned a Mentor to be a support person throughout the year. Students have nominated teachers who they have a connection with and will be informed of their Mentor next week. They will meet with their Mentor to 'check in' and see how they are tracking, offering guidance and advice. This is a wonderful process that both students and staff value.

Uniforms

I wish to remind all students the we are a uniform school endorsed by the P&C and as such all students are required to be in full school uniform every day. As responsible young adults, they are expected to arrive to school in full school uniform each and every day.

Uniform items can be purchased from School Locker in Maroochydore (details are available on the school website).

Attendance

in the senior school, it is expected every student is in attendance each and every day in every class. In 2021 every student's attendance is expected to be a minimum of 92% with the only excuse for absence being illness/medical or family emergencies. I wish to stress that driving lessons and exams, holidays, music festivals or any other reason is not acceptable and considered as a penalty absence. There is a very clear correlation between high student attendance and high academic achievement.

Lateness

In 2021 all students are expected to be on time every day and arrive by 8.30 for a 8.35 start. Students who are late on any day will be required to sign in at Student Services and will receive an official caution in the first instance. The second time a student is late in a term, they receive an official warning. If a student is late on a third occasion in the same term, they will be referred to the Deputy Principal who may apply consequences including referral to the Re-Think Room. This process has been implemented to ensure students understand the importance of being on time and punctual. In future years in the workforce, students will understand why the school is pushing punctuality. Once again the only acceptable excuse for lateness is medical/illness or a family emergency, traffic is not an acceptable excuse. The very vast majority of students are always on time as they ensure they leave home earlier (or wake up earlier 🙂) to account for traffic.

Behaviour

The behaviour of our senior students is exemplary and students need to be commended for how they treat and interact with one another and staff in the kind and polite manner that is the expectation of the community. I do not need to remind senior students of the important job they play as role models for younger students. Seniors set the standard and the younger students follow. I ask all seniors to please ensure their behaviour meets the very high standard expected at our school.

Graduation and Celebratory events

Throughout 2021 as we have in every other year, the school has a set of goals every student must achieve to be eligible to attend the Midwinter Ball scheduled in June, and the Graduation ceremony in November.

To attend these events, students must –

1. Achieve their QCE or QCIA.
2. Attendance of 92% or better (unless there is a medical issue the school is aware of).
3. Appropriate behaviour throughout Year 12.
4. No incidents involving tobacco, vaping, alcohol, illegal and legal drugs throughout Year 12.

The Coolum Code is a set of standards for students at Coolum State High School.

Two rules I would like to bring to your attention in particular are

• Putting the phone away; and
• Putting the headphones away.

As we all know, young adults love technology and sometimes they find it difficult to limit the amount of technology usage, especially after an extended break.

The expectation is for all students to have their mobile phone and headphones off and out of sight at all times during every lesson. These can be a distraction for them during their learning time.

I know 2021 is going to be a great year!

2021 Swimming Carnival and Year 12 Retreat

Emma Curnow
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 12

Business Services News

Welcome to our new and returning students. I am really excited to meet our new families and to offer my support in whatever way is needed. I’m very humbled to be the Business Manager these past five years at Coolum State High and I am committed to providing you with a high level of service in all the areas of my responsibility. This includes a professional and friendly service at our front office; that our grounds and facilities are maintained impeccably; and most importantly, that your child receives the teaching and learning resources they need on a daily basis.

High school comes 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 general learning, 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. So I’m asking all families to please participate in our SRS scheme and make your $300 payment as soon as possible.

Already, I can see that the Coolum High community is supportive of what we are trying to achieve at this school. Thank you!

Bees and Honey

I spoke about this a couple of years ago and I’m putting it in here again, for the benefit of our new families who may not have any idea of the SRS scheme is about.

Bear with me as I talk in metaphors! Bees need honey to thrive and prosper. The Honey provides the necessary energy through its vitamins and sugars and without this, bees cannot be effective. Bees are very proactive and so they need a lot of honey to help sustain their energy and be efficient.

I would now like to talk about our Student Resource Scheme (SRS) in terms of honey and bees. It’s different, I know, but I’d ask you to stay with me.

Our SRS fee is like honey. Our students are the bees. To make our bees efficient, they need the honey in the form of text books, resources, pens, markers, worksheets, photocopying and so much more. The bees need this honey to have energy to learn, develop and succeed at school. Without the honey, the bees aren’t as effective at their primary goal - learning. They need the flow of honey to perform at their best. There are schools that have plenty of honey and with it they can do a lot for their bees. With more honey, there is a greater ability for the bees to have the required resources to succeed.

Why is SRS so important, what does it matter?

So using the metaphor of honey to bees, that is why 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.

We will be emailing the Statement of Accounts this week, in week 6 and again in week 9. This helps you stay on top of your fees and ensures your child doesn’t miss out on any fee-paying activities and events.

If you would like to discuss your financial options please don’t hesitate to contact me, I am here to help and 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

Co-Curricular Music Program

Instrumental Music and Vocal Program Commencement 2021

This week we have recommence our instrumental music and vocal lessons at Coolum State High School for all students in years 7-12 for 2021.

Lesson timetables are available for students on the PA4 and PA5 window for all instrumental music and vocal lessons for the reminder of the term.

This year our staff are as follows:

Ms Guest (Woodwind) – Monday and Thursday
Ms Anderson (Strings) – Wednesday
Mr Coonan (Brass)– Tuesday morning
Mr Hardy (Percussion) – Tuesday and Thursday
Ms Bradshaw and Ms Hardy (Vocal) – Tuesday (Ms Bradshaw) and Friday (Ms Hardy)

This week we also recommence our ensemble rehearsals alongside our lesson program, as follows:

Monday (3-5pm) - Wind Symphony
Tuesday (7:30 - 8:30am) - Coolum Acapella
Tuesday (3-4pm) – Coolum Voices
Wednesday (7:00 - 8:30am) - String Orchestra
Wednesday (3 - 4pm) – SongSpark and RockBand
Thursday (2:45 - 4pm) - Concert Band

I encourage all families to visit our school website for further information about the co-curricular music programs for 2021.

If you have any questions or queries, please email the HOD Arts, Rohan Hardy at rohan.hardy@eq.edu.au

We’ve been so excited to get started again this year and we’re looking forward to seeing all of our students making music!

Rohan Hardy
Head of Department – The Arts

Diverse Learners – Update

Welcome to 2021. The team at Diverse Learner’s is here to support student’s at Coolum State High. If your child is connected with Diverse Learners, you would have had contact with their Case Manager already. The Case Manager is available to answer any questions about academic and social/emotional success. We are situated in DB Block for students and via ext. 352 to answer any questions.

2021 it’s the year!

Leanne Rehbein
Head of Department – Diverse Learners

Dates for your Diary

Tutorials – Term 1

Bus Pass Information 2021

Do you need to apply for a school bus pass?

The Queensland Government’s School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance to enable eligible school students to attend education facilities.

There are two types of assistance available to students travelling on bus services to school:

• Distance based assistance
• Safety-net assistance

Apply for STAS online

Did you know that you can now apply online for STAS?

• One form
• Up to five children
• Any device

For more information:

Need help with your application?

Email STASdigital.Helpdesk@tmr.qld.gov.au or call 1300 119 289 for technical assistance with your online application.

FAQs & handy tips to get you started

Once you are familiar with the application process and steps to get you started, you will find the ‘apply now’ button located towards the bottom of the STAS Apply for school transport assistanc e page.

After you’ve successfully lodged your application online, information will be generated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to your local CDC office in Kunda Park, Sunshine Coast or Gladstone for processing.

Please note: it is Department of Transport and Main Roads policy that STAS applications for students placed under a Child Protection Order by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services must be made using the paper application form relevant to the transport assistance. This form can be found once you commence your application online.

Bus Routes

A list of bus routes servicing Coolum State High School can be viewed on this page:

Parents can also contact us by phone 07 847 666 22 or email info.sunshinecoast@cdcbus.com.au

General Information