Term 1 Week 10 2022
Principal's Report
Thank you
What a term! A huge thank you to our whole school community for your epic support again as we have traversed the most “interesting” school term I have known. At the beginning of the year I discussed with school staff our focus this year on “quality teaching and quality learning”. The intent of this is to ensure we focus on what each individual student needs to learn, it’s the quality not quantity debate. Despite floods, pandemics and any other obstacles thrown our way staff, parents and students need to be congratulated on the way they still maintained a focus on student learning and building on our strong sense of community that Coolum State School enjoys. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to hear students sharing with me and demonstrating their progress in reading this term. The delight in their eyes and the pride with which they share is the reason I feel confident that despite what came their way this term, the focus on quality teaching and quality learning was at the forefront of every student’s success. Enjoy your Easter holiday plans, stay safe and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for a 'normal' term 2.
P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)
This week our P&C held the AGM. Congratulations to our 2022 school executive Mr Shane Urban (President), Lisa Nugent (Vice President), Claire Bates-Pay (Treasurer) and Rebecca Eller (Secretary). During the AGM a motion was raised to award only the second life-membership to the Coolum State School P&C to Mr Shane Urban. Congratulations Shane on this most deserved nomination. Shane has been a member of the school P&C for more than 15 years when his children first started at school. In recent years Shane has been the President of the P&C which has achieved so many amazing outcomes for our school and community. While humbly accepting this award Shane made it very clear that he values the team effort of the executive teams he has worked with over the years and the whole school community for their support of the school. Congratulations Shane!!!
It was also noted during the evening that for some of the executive committee, they have had a long involvement with the school while their own children have moved on to high school and this will be their last year. Can we ask you please consider becoming a part of the P&C and throughout the year consider if you could add value to the Coolum SS P&C executive for 2023 to help to contribute and add fresh ideas to our school community.
ANZAC Day
In preparation for our ANZAC Day parade this year on Friday week 2, we have relocated and renewed our ANZAC memorial in the school. Thanks to Grant for the new vision it’s looking great.
My New Gallery
School Review
Next term from 23 - 26 May, Coolum State School will have their School Review. All Queensland state schools are reviewed by the Education Improvement Branch (EIB) at least once every four years. The reviews play an important part in how the department supports school improvement. They provide schools with independent feedback, tailored to their context and needs. Schools are generally reviewed in the year that they are due to update their four-year strategic plan. Findings and feedback from the reviews are a valuable input into this process. Reviews are conducted by experienced educators trained in the use of the National School Improvement Tool (NSIT), a nationally recognised framework for reviewing teaching and learning practices. Reviewers look closely at each school’s performance data and speak with a wide range of staff, students, parents and community members to get an accurate picture of the school. Unlike many other review systems, schools aren’t ranked or given a performance rating but are supported with a comprehensive report for consideration. The report details key findings and recommended improvement strategies to maximise student outcomes. Next term we will provide information on you can be involved in the school review.
Anthony Ryan
Principal
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher interviews will happen in Weeks 2 and 3 of next term. We will continue to use the online booking platform from www.schoolinterviews.com.au.
Parents will be emailed a link to use on the website to access the days and times available for interviews for the class their child/ren are in. Each interview has an allocation of 15mins. Please log on to select your times.
The booking platform will be open on Tuesday April 19 at 8:30am and will be closed on Friday April 22 at 2:30pm.
Terry O'Brien
Deputy Principal
Easter Hat Parade - Prep and Year 1
We have had such a fun and colourful morning today at our Easter Hat Parade!
Our students looked fabulous in a wonderful array of hats designed and created by themselves. Our Leadership team were thrilled to each be presented with hats created by each prep class. We welcomed many family members who joined in the fun with us. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
My New Gallery
News from 3D
The students of 3D were very excited to learn about Harmony Day which was celebrated on 21 March 2022. The students have learnt Harmony Day is about including, respecting and appreciating the stories, traditions and cultures of all people who call Australia home. They especially loved the slogan ‘Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs’. We had fun making an art piece that represented that slogan. I asked the students what Harmony Day meant to them, these were their responses:
Mael – Harmony Day is about giving respect to everybody.
Levi – Harmony Day is about being nice to each other.
Kenzie – Harmony Day is a day where everybody works together and celebrates peace. If someone falls over then everybody helps.
Makyla – Harmony Day means everyone accepts each other for who they are no matter if they are different because everyone belongs.
Xavier – Harmony Day is about being nice to each other and playing with everyone.
Sky – Harmony Day is about including everyone.
Liam – Harmony Day is about when you include everyone into your games.
Arlia – Harmony Day means including people no matter what they look like.
Dexter – Harmony Day is when everyone is included and different cultures get to learn about each other. It is a day when everyone is kind to each other.
Bella – Harmony Day means including people and being nice to people.
Ziva – Harmony Day is when you spend time with people and care about everyone. We learn about different cultures and accept everyone.
Lola – Harmony Day means when everyone comes together and celebrates a special day called Harmony Day. Everyone is peaceful and we can wear orange to celebrate coming together. We try to respect each other no matter what culture they come from or what they look like.
Breanna – Harmony Day is about sharing and being kind to other people. You can share your things.
Austin – Harmony Day is about including everyone.
Rocky – Harmony Day is a day when everyone has peace together. You get to learn about new cultures.
Sydney – Harmony Day means spending time together with family and friends. Learning about different people from different places and respecting them.
Ivy – Harmony Day means to me sharing my things with other people and being kind. It is all about including people.
Ben – Harmony Day means all people come together and have a harmonious day. We learn about other countries cultures and respect their cultures. It is all about everyone including each other.
Aidyn – Harmony Day is where everyone finds friends and they all like each other.
Cooper – Harmony Day helps bring people together and makes sure we include everyone. It reminds people that violence doesn’t solve anything.
Addy – Harmony Day is when you include people no matter what they look like or do. We treat everyone the same. We don’t judge anyone. We all come together and celebrate our different cultures and we respect everybody.
Mila – Harmony Day is about being kind to everyone. We need to include people.
Cathy Dellow
Teacher of class 3D
News from 5M
What a year we have had so far in 5M. A late start and lots of rain have not dampened our level of learning. I can already see different personalities beginning to emerge and class leaders, leading by example. This has been no more evident than with our prep buddies. Normally this is an activity that is only bestowed upon year 6 students, however, 5M have stepped up to become great buddies with Prep P. Camp as always is the highlight of our Term 1 and this year was no exception. It was fantastic to witness students becoming involved in all sorts of activities to build new friendships and get them out of our comfort zone. It was great to observe students push themselves to go higher than they thought they would or work together to achieve a common goal. All in all, a fantastic start to the year for a fantastic group of students.
Mark Kerr
Teacher of class 5M
Story Dogs
It is with great pleasure that we welcome back the Story Dogs Program for 2022. The mission of the program is to make reading fun for children, so they become confident, lifelong readers. Selected Year Two children read to an accredited dog and its handler. Sessions run for 20 minutes, where each child is one-on-one with a Dog Team. The books used in the program are engaging and inspire children to read for enjoyment and knowledge.
When children read to a dog the outcomes are amazing:
- They have FUN
- They are not judged
- Their focus improves
- Their reading skills increase
- Their confidence soars
A huge thank you to the Story Dog Teams for making a difference in the lives of children.
Pictured below is Ev and Raffa with Kaden, Mel and Rhett with Jake and Gail and Polley with Elijah.
Story Dogs
Volunteers Needed
Do you have a well behaved dog and a few hours spare a week? If so, please contact Janelle (Story Dogs Co-ordinator) on 0431 217 543 or janellel@storydogs.org.au.
Sponsor a Dog
Make a real difference in the lives of local children. Help us eradicate illiteracy in Australia. Sponsor a dog.
Visit the web site or make a donation to:
BSB: 032584 (Westpac)
Account: 286132
Account name: Story Dogs Ltd
Or
with your credit card via secure GIVENOW on the Story Dogs web site
Japanese News
On March 17 and 18 Years Prep to 5 experienced a "Taiko" Japanese drumming and flute performance. The performers took the students on a musical journey teaching about the different kinds of traditional Japanese instruments and how to play them. The performance was highly interactive and entertaining. Some students were able take part in the drumming, and everyone was chanting and clapping along to the rhythm. The performers were impressed when year 5 students displayed some well learned vocabulary such as, おおきい ooki (big) and ちいさい chiisai (small).
It was great to see the students of Coolum State School experience such an educational and culturally rich performance. A big ありがとう (thanks) to all who attended and made the event possible.
Brad Yaxley
Japanese Teacher
Hey! Hey! It's Coolum State! Take 2!
Can you believe it has been 5 and a half years (AND over 13,000 YouTube views!) since our awesome school song was recorded! The stars of the video our now in year 12! So, after consultation with the P&C, it has been decided that we are going to re-record the song! The song/lyrics/tune/backing will all remain the same as we know and love, but we will be recording new voices, new locations, and new stars of the show!
This exciting project will take place on Thurs/Fri 28/29 April (Week 2 next term) and will involve various students from Prep through to Year 6 singing, dancing, playing in the playground and in various locations around our school and community. There will also be a special feature that involves the entire school!
Students who are invited to be involved in a specific part of the video, will bring home an information letter with permission form and a media consent form. Completed forms are to be returned to Mrs Mackay or to the Administration Office.
Hey! Hey! This school is GREAT!!!!! Can't wait for Coolum Celebrates 2.0!!!!!!
😁 🎤 🎶 🎧 🌞
Roz Mackay
Music Teacher
Contact details
Have you changed your mobile number recently? Have you moved house?
It's important that we hold up to date contact details for you and your nominated emergency contacts. If you would like to update your details please pop in to the Administration Office or email us at info@coolumss.eq.edu.au .
Dates for your diary
| Event | Date |
| Easter Raffle on Parade | Friday 1 April |
| Cross Country (Years 3 - 6) | Wednesday 27 April |
| School video production | 28 - 29 April |
| ANZAC Day Parade | 29 April |
| School Review | 23 - 26 May |
| School Disco - new date! | Tuesday 21 June |
| Year 4 Camp to Noosa North Shore | 10 - 12 August |
RideScore Active Schools
REGISTER NOW!
- Do you live close to school?
- Do your children have a bike or scooter?
- Would you like peace of mind knowing your children have safely arrived at school?
If you answered YES to these questions, then RideScore is for you!
We are one of nine Sunshine Coast schools that have been invited to trial the RideScore Active Schools Program in 2022.
What is RideScore?
RideScore is an incentive-based program delivered by Sunshine Coast Council and We Ride Australia to increase active travel to and from school. The program is open to all students who ride a bike or scooter to school, as these can easily be fitted with beacons.
Participating students will receive a personal sensor (beacon) to attach to their bike or scooter. The school bike storage facility will be fitted with a Bluetooth reader that detects the signal from the beacon and sends a notification to the nominated contact that the student has arrived at or departed the school gate. Please note that the beacon is not a tracking device, it only records school arrivals and departures.
Data is collected by the online platform, enabling incentives to be offered at certain milestones.
Activities will also be planned throughout the school year to promote and encourage active travel, including cycling education classes for all Year 4 students.
How do I register?
Step 1 - Download the RideScore App (Search for ‘RideScore’ in the App Store or on Google Play)
Step 2 – Receive your sign on bag (will be distributed via the classrooms) that includes:
- Your child’s beacon & instructions on how to pair and fit
- Bike Lock
- Scorecard
- Road Safety Information
Step 3 – Start riding or scooting
Step 4 – Visit the RideScore website for great resources and safety tips
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