24 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Is it just me or do the terms go faster each year? Already we are in Week 5 and our classrooms and extra curricula programs have well and truly kicked into gear.

Our CAST Program is becoming increasingly popular and it is wonderful to see so many students participating in the wide range of activities on offer. Students can see the CAST timetable in numerous places around the school and we encourage students to make good use of their spare time by participating in this program, before and after school, and during lunch breaks.

Within our extra-curricular programs, there are some magical things happening that can be seen and heard so vividly in our music programs. Each week, we look forward to performances on our Junior and Senior assemblies and these are growing into an extraordinary part of our school life. The energy and vibrancy in our music programs at the moment is palpable. It is wonderful to see so many students engaging so passionately in music programs across the school.

The school’s SafeST Committee met today to continue the discussion around our many traffic issues. The Committee is continually working with multiple government departments to find a solution for the problems we all experience in a fast-growing school and community. Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix to these problems, however, with our students’ safety at the forefront of everything we do, we will continue to put our case forward for these matters to be satisfactorily resolved as a matter of urgency.

Also today, our 2021 Student Leaders were inducted into their roles at our Student Investiture. After the trials of 2020, it was wonderful to be able to have our parent community join with us for this very special occasion. Our School Captains and their supporting leaders are a very intelligent and articulate group of students who have got incredibly bright futures ahead of them. We wish them, and each of our amazing Year 12 students, a wonderful 2021 and we look forward to being a part of their many successes now, and into the future.

Troy Ascott
Principal

I am wishing to start a conversation regarding the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) that will occur in Term 2. This is an annual assessment for students in Years 7 and 9 and is a regular part of the school calendar. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every student to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. At the classroom level it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress so that support can be planned to assist each individual student needs.

The program has drawn some criticism from a number of different quarters since its inception 2008. You’ve probably heard a number of different viewpoints expressed in the media and the local community over the years. An argument commonly put forward is that the NAPLAN tests put excessive pressure on students to perform in test situations. If so, then perhaps the best approach for parents and teachers is to help them handle the pressure rather than avoid it. The most resilient young people are those who rise to meet rather than retreat from the challenges presented to them.

Perhaps it’s best to view the NAPLAN tests as good learning experiences rather than dreaded pressure tests. It also must be noted that this test is the only other time where by our students will have the opportunity to gain confidence to partake in a nationally leveled assessments prior to their external exams in the new senior schooling.

All students in Years 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. NAPLAN tests give us information on how our students are progressing against national standards. This information allows for additional intervention if necessary to ensure our students progresses at a rate where they can fully participate in all aspects of the curriculum and excel in the senior school years. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements, assessments run by our teachers throughout the year.

Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis as students without disability. Some students with significant intellectual disability and/or those with significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests may be exempted from sitting the tests.

Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. It is recommended that withdrawal be considered in consultation with our school. Formal notification must be received by our school prior to testing. Please contact our school should you wish to withdraw your child for these reasons.

It must be noted that students take their cues from their parents about how to handle many situations. Optimistic parents beget optimistic students, just as anxious parents can beget anxious students. As a parent it can greatly assist your child if you take an optimistic view to the NAPLAN tests. It is better to see them as learning opportunities for our students as well as opportunities for them to overcome any anxieties or nerves that these tests may bring on. It’s also worth remembering that many students don’t stress over these tests. The vast majority take them in their stride, wondering what all the fuss is about.

Whether your child stresses or takes it in his stride here are some tips to help prepare for the NAPLAN tests:

1. Take your cues from your child: If your child doesn’t worry about them then neither should you. Be careful not to create a problem that doesn’t exist by incessantly talking about, or worse, worrying about the test.
2. Focus on doing their best and trying hard: Choose your words carefully when you speak with your child. As with all their learning activities place your focus squarely on effort rather than results. The only pressure on the students should be to try hard rather than to do well. This will then ensure that we as educators have the realistic results that can help us plan for their senior schooling success.
3. Listen to any concerns they have: If your child confesses to some nerves then validate his feelings, rather than shut them down with a ‘get over it’ response. “Yes, sometimes tests can be a little scary, but they get easier every time you take them.” Use this as an opportunity to develop your child, which starts with recognising how your child feels.
4. Give them some relaxation ideas: Anxious or nervous students will benefit from some simple relaxation strategies. Taking some deep breaths, changing their thinking and exercising the morning of the test are some simple ways to help students get some feeling of control.
5. Help them retain their perspective: One way to help students who become excessively anxious about an event is to ask what’s the worst thing that could happen? Okay, they may not do as well as they would like but the sun will still rise tomorrow. Keeping perspective is a life skill that we all need to practice.
   Encouraging your child to try their best when they are apprehensive or nervous will give them their best result and support us as educators to assist your child to a successful destination after Coolum State High School.

Anthony Swan
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

It was fantastic to meet so many parents at the Meet the Team afternoon last week and hear about the goals and achievements of so many students.

As we are entering the middle point of the term, our students are beginning their assessments for their subjects. Last week the assessment planners were emailed out to families and students. It is a great idea to print out these assessment planners at home and talk to your child about how they are progressing with drafts and submission of assignments. Please encourage your child to communicate with their teachers if they need clarification with the tasks and with the subject HOD’s if they are unable to submit drafts or assignments by the due date.

This week, I have had the pleasure of reading the writing of a number of students across Year 8 and 9 and was very impressed with the creativity and outstanding quality of the written pieces. The clear commitment to learning and standard of achievement is exceptionally high.

I would also like to introduce Mr Brad Ralph as the Year 8 Head of Year whilst Mr Adam Baldwin is on leave. Mr Ralph is well known to our students and is focused on supporting the wellbeing of our Year 8 cohort.

Nicola Worthington
Deputy Principal Junior Secondary

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

Year 10 and 11 Attendance

As the Deputy Principal who works with Year 10 and 11 students, I am very interested in their attendance at school. Having excellent attendance means students are in a regular routine and never have the added stress and anxiety of catching up on missed work due to absences.

Year 10 students have had a great start to the year and currently have an attendance rate of 93% - with an amazing 114 students with 100% attendance.

Year 11 attendance is currently at 94%. It is also fantastic that 95 students are on 100% attendance.

This is a great start – but attendance is a long grind of almost 200 school days. Our goal as a school is to have attendance at 92% or higher. It is up to parents and schools to work together to get young people to school every single day.

Greater attendance every day at school gives students more opportunities to be successful in their learning, and their future destinations.

Terry Proctor
Deputy Principal Secondary

It’s Exam Time!

Our Year 12 cohort are eagerly preparing for their first round of internal exams in Week 6.

Students received their exam timetable, which comprises of both exams and allocated lesson time for certificate courses and Mathematics, and are an extremely important part of their final year of study. Students are expected to attend all of their scheduled exam time and are able to study off site at all others times. It is important to keep part time work to a minimum during Year 12, especially during exam periods. It is also very important for students to maintain a healthy diet and gain a good night’s sleep. A medical certificate is required for missed exams, and we urge you to contact the school in every instance of absences during Week 6.

Wednesday 24 February marked a special day for all of our seniors as they attended their Investiture Ceremony. We welcomed all Year 12 students into their final year and with it, the expectations that come with being a senior student. Congratulations to all seniors, and a special mention to all appointed leaders. Thank you to our senior vocal group for a stellar performance of ‘Valerie’, our Hospitality team for assisting with catering, and our parents and community for your continued support.

2021 Leadership Roles

Key term 1 dates for Year 12 students:

Key term 2 dates for Year 12 students:

Emma Curnow
Deputy Principal Senior Secondary Year 12

Business Services News

Student Resource Scheme

I hope you had a chance to read my section in the week 3 newsletter, it was all about the Student Resource Scheme and how we are really committed to delivering teaching and learning resources this year and every year in fact. We can only do that with your support, by making payment of the SRS $300 fee as soon as possible. Please return your SRS form and tick YES to the scheme. It means the world to our students and our school community.

Academy Programs

We have started invoicing for these programs and full and final payment is due week 9 this term, to secure your child’s place in the Academy. The Young Entrepreneurs Academy and the AFL Academy will start in Term 2. Our website is currently being updated with revised Academy information and schedules and will be finalized this week. For any Academy matters, please contact me.

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

School Sports Update

Swimming

We had our first sporting event for the year. Over 400 students contested the swimming carnival on 5 February 2021. We were presented with fantastic weather conditions and everyone, from our ultra competitive 13 girls and 16 boys age groups, to students who were only there for Ms Fiducioso’s YMCA and Macarena had a great day and enjoyed themselves. Well done to our Age champs below and congratulations to Binyama house who dominated the results. The top 2 swimmers from each race qualified for the North District swimming trials which was on Monday this week. The results will be listed in the next newsletter.

Age Champions:

12 Boys – Jake McHale – Binyama
12 Girls – Ahlea Skipper – Warringa
13 Boys – Josh O’Neill – Binyama
13 Girls – Imogen Johnstone – Warringa
14 Boys – Flynn Skipper – Warringa
14 Girls – Lily Rice – Binyama
15 Boys – Locki Rahui – Carcoola
15 Girls – Hailee O’Sullivan – Binyama
16 Boys – Jakob O’Sullivan – Carcoola
16 Girls – Kalara Harley – Yuroka
Open Boys – Beau Pattison – Yuroka
Open Girls – Makaeli Adler – Binyama

House points:

Binyama – 1797
Warringa – 1136
Yuroka – 978
Carcoola - 651

Sporting Success

Well done to Mateya and Britney in year 7 who competed in the Aquathlon and Triathlon state

championships respectively. The girls competed at Hervey bay and represented us proudly under the guidance of own Mr Dixon (Aquathlon coach) who sometimes teaches classes at our school in between Zwift workouts.

Aquathlon and Triathlon Competitors

Sunshine Coast Representatives

Golf – Adam Van Dorsselaer

Water Polo – Flynn Coolican and Rhys Coolican.

District Representatives

13 – 15 Years Netball – Deborah Bertwistle

Upcoming trials

CLOSING FRIDAY 26 FEB

12 Years Rugby League
12 Years Rugby Union
16 - 18 Years Basketball - Boys and Girls
13 - 15 Years Touch Football - Boys and Girls
16 - 18 Years Touch Football - Boys and Girls
13 - 15 Years Soccer – Girls
13 - 16 Years Soccer – Boys
14 - 15 Years Rugby League – Boys
16 - 18 Years Rugby League – Boys
12 - 15 Years Volleyball - Boys and Girls
16 - 19 Years Volleyball - Boys and Girls

CLOSING FRIDAY 5 MARCH

13 - 19 Years Hockey – Boys
13 - 19 Years Hockey – Girls
15 - 16 Years Rugby Union 7s - Girls

Students are to see me in the Hall for forms to trial for any of these sports.

Justin Hodges 9s

Well done to the boys who competed in the Justin Hodges 9s yesterday. Full results available next

newsletter.

Eric Smyth
HPE Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator

Creative Arts – Update

Senior Visual Art Student has his work turn to steel.

Senior student Axel Spaulding-Smith designed a sculpture for his final art piece in 2019. Thanks to many people, his design has now been turned into a 2m steel sculpture.

His artwork, “The Spirit of Coolum”, is the culmination of design and engineering.

Axel combined the wings of the Brahminy Kite and the curves of breaking waves, depicting not only the symbols of our school’s natural environment but the spirit as well.

Special thanks to Daryll Richardson for his engineering expertise.

The Spirit of Coolum and Alex Spaulding-Smith

Lynda Kryger
Senior Visual Art Teacher

Dates for your Diary

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 assistance  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