Term 3 Week 4
Principal's Report
Before and After School Drop Off and Supervision
A reminder that school does not open until 8:00am and finishes at 2:40pm. Outside these hours we have minimal supervision as staff are preparing for the day ahead and following up the day just finished.
We have noticed many parents meeting with other parents outside classrooms while collecting their children. While doing this please ensure you provide the necessary supervision of your children for their safety. This includes ensuring they are safe by not climbing fences and railings or riding bikes or scooters through the school. Your assistance in this is appreciated by the school community.
Should you require care before or after school please contact our award winning OSHC.
Mobile Phones and Smart Watches
With the recent federal and state announcements regarding mobile phones and smart watches at school it’s timely to revisit and remind everyone of our school policy on them. We understand that mobile phones fill a need for some families, especially in relation to the occasional issues that arise before or after school with safety and communication. There are a number of issues associated with mobile phones and smart watches at school. These include security, interruptions to class programs, inappropriate use or overuse. Due to these issues, we prefer that students do not bring mobile phones to school. The school holds no responsibility for lost or stolen phones. If a student has a wearable mobile phone device, the phone component must be not be used while the student is on the school site.
If however, you do require your student to have a mobile phone at school the following procedures apply:
- Your child must secure their phone in their school bag for the entire day.
- Students who breach this requirement will have their phone held in the front office.
- Should you need to get in contact with your child, this should be done through the Front Office. One of our Front Office staff will get the message to your child.
We trust you appreciate the stance the school has to take on mobile phone use and actively support the above school procedures. Digital literacy refers to the skills needed to live, learn and work in a society where communication and access to information is dominated by digital technologies like mobile phones. However, the benefits brought about through these diverse technologies can be easily overshadowed by deliberate misuse which harms others or disrupts learning. In consultation with the broader school community, Coolum State School has determined that explicit teaching of responsible use of mobile phones and other devices is a critical component of digital literacy. The knowledge and confidence to navigate and use these technologies safely while developing digital literacy is a responsibility shared between parents, school staff and students.
Anthony Ryan
Principal
News from 4F
This week 4F had an exciting visit from the Coastal Discovery Van. Students were able to learning interpretive and interactive displays that taught them about out natural coastal values and processes. Students discovered the ecosystems and geological features that play a key role in our local environment. There was an interactive wave tank which helped show how the council manages and protects the iconic coastal zone.
This term we have been preparing for our parade performance. We will be doing a news report highlighting some key events for 4F. Each and every student has outdone themselves with their confidence, courage and determination to step outside their comfort zone to create a magical performance.
Emma Fisher
Teacher of 4F
Eisteddfod News
Well done to each and every one of our musical students who performed at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod this week. We had 4 groups repesent our school, across 3 big days of competition - Senior String Orchestra, Senior Concert Band, Senior Voices and Junior Voices. We are all so proud of the way they played, plucked, sung and smiled - add to that their exemplary behaviour - they were ALL such wonderful role models for our school! An extra Congratulations to our Concert Band - who receievd a Highly Commended Award, and to our Junior Voices - who recieved 3rd Place. Well done again Coolum Music Stars - you have 4 very proud teachers right here!
Mrs Mackay on behalf of Miss Sharise, Miss Anderson and Mrs Guest
Music Teachers
AllStarz News
Our amazing Coolum AllStarz Dance Team competed at their second competition on Saturday at The Australian Pinnacle Dance Challenge competition.They performed exceptionally well, achieving some incredible results.
Our amazing Coolum AllStarz received 1st POM, 1st Hip Hop, 2nd Contemporary, 2nd Musical Theatre and Highly Commended Jazz.Congratulations, girls! You were outstanding and did an amazing job!
A huge thank you to the wonderfully supportive families and friends who came along to support the girls. I feel super proud to be part of our awesome Coolum community! Well done, AllStarz! You certainly made Coolum State School super proud!!
Sam Bollard
Team Coach
Japanese Word of the Week
水をお願いします(mizu o onegaishimasu): Please give me some water
In Japanese restaurants, it is common to serve free water to guests after they take their seats. You can also use this phrase “Mizu o onegaishimasu” (Please give me some water) if the water you were drinking has finished to ask for a refill.
Brad Yaxley
Japanese Teacher
National Science Week
Next week is National Science Week.
POEM FOREST is a free nature writing competition. This year we are encouraging Coolum students to have a go and write a poem. Poems should follow a tree theme and be no longer than 20 lines. For every poem entered into the competition a tree will be planted. All entries will be published online and have the chance to win some fabulous prizes. Entries close Friday 22 September.
There are some lovely resources to inspire you on their website and you can download Red Room Poetry's free learning resource for tips and tricks to help you be a winner and get those ideas flowing!
Everyone is welcome to have a go and help plant a tree with their words. What will you write about?
Poems should be entered directly online by students with parent consent. Entries should be submitted at https://redroompoetry.org/projects/poem-forest/entries/
Coolum's Got Talent
Does your child have a special talent that they'd be willing to showcase on stage at school??? If so, we want to hear from them!!
Our exciting competition, led by Miss Sharise, takes place on Tuesday 12 September. So you have plenty of time to plan and prepare for your act.
If your child has any questions they should see their class teacher or Miss Sharise.
We're looking forward to it already!
P&C News
Come and check out the leader board at PiCColo!
Cleaning Tender for Coolum OSHC
Coolum OSHC is cleaned five nights a week term-time and during school holidays, after 6pm. Insurance and Working with Children blue card mandatory. For further information, please contact: pandc@coolumss.eq.edu.au
Tenders close 31 August 2023.
Denise French
P&C Manager
Information from Coolum High School
Other News and Events...
Reporting your child's absence
If your child is absent from school it is important that you notify us as soon as possible. To report your child’s absence please either complete the short form available on the website at https://coolumss.eq.edu.au/our-school/absences or telephone us on 5471 9300.
Absences may be reported both on the webform and on the telephone in advance for planned absences.
We thank you for your assistance.
QParents
Did you know that the QParents portal is available for Coolum State School? QParents enables schools to offer parents secure access to information about their child. Parents can communicate directly with the school and update their child’s address and medical conditions and submit reasons for absences.
QParents is available to all families and not just our new families! If you would like to receive your unique invitation code and child's EQ ID please email us info@coolumss.eq.edu.au to request this.
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 .
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!
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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