Term 1 Week 4

Principal's Report

CELEBRATING THE VILLAGE THAT HAS RAISED OUR LEADERS

There is a saying that 'It takes a village to raise a child'. In essence, this means that the development of each child is the responsibility of every community member. As children grow and learn more about their world, they will be influenced by many people, who will have an impact on their decisions and attitudes towards themselves and to the world. Teachers and parents, the peer group and the community all contribute to the progress children make in their learning. 

Last week we acknowledged those students who have been recognised as Student Leaders for 2024 at the Investiture Parade. During this parade we continued the tradition that aligns with our school value of community and acknowledges the community that has supported the student to grow into the leader they are today.

Each student was asked to nominate a significant person in their life who has had an impact on their life journey. This person had the honour of presenting the student with their leadership badge. The students were also congratulated by Mrs Maria Suarez, Division 9 Councillor for Sunshine Coast and Mr Troy Ascott, Principal of Coolum State High School as representatives of our magnificent Coolum community.

While these elected leaders have nominated and been voted into their roles, each and every student at Coolum State School has a part to play in building our culture and community. Last Friday we took the time to celebrate not just the students receiving badges but the village that has supported them on their journey.

Investiture Parade

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BEING CURIOUS IN LEARNING

The growing use of technology and access to devices often causes questions of their impact on schools and student learning. You may have seen or heard of recent developments in artificial intelligence with a computer being able to write an essay for you in minutes. During the last few weeks I was reminded of the importance of curiosity in developing innovative students for a rapidly changing world while talking to the year 5 students who visited the Starlab and talking to our very knowledgeable Prep and Year 1 students.

Amazon Spheres, Stanford University, Microsoft, Nike World Headquarters, Apple Park, University of Oregon, Tesla STEM High School and innovative schools were just a few of the places I visited on a study tour organised by the Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP) with a specific focus on innovation.

We discussed how the world is changing at a rapid rate and how can education cater? It has taken electricity almost 50 years to become mainstream, whereas the mobile phone and computer have become commonplace in homes, work places and schools in less than 10 years. At some point, the light bulb was a new innovation, along with paper, books and pens. Now children have digital devices and artificial intelligence (AI) at their fingertips.

In 1440 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press which revolutionised the way people communicated from the spoken to the written word. At the time this innovation instilled fear as it could spread information quickly and accurately and give everyday people knowledge and a voice. Fast forward to today, mobile phones and social media are changing the way our children communicate with others in their world.

This really made me think about our students and how we as educators are helping them to become the best people they can be in a digital world. How are we helping them to be resilient, life-long learners who are compassionate, curious and connected global citizens? Students will need to be creative, effective communicators, collaborative and critical thinkers as they face an unknown, yet exciting future.

There was an underlying theme of Growth Mindset, Culture and Collaboration everywhere we visited. Other common elements were personalised learning and flexible learning spaces both in schools and the workplaces. Innovation was visible and it certainly wasn’t always about devices. Innovation was the introduction of a new product, a new process or a new way of thinking.

At Coolum State School I witness many ways we are supporting students for an exciting and ever-changing future. Each class I visit has students collaborating on their learning; the teachers and leadership team discussing with students what they are learning to develop communication and a connection to the learning; engaging with and learning with others to understand our past in order to make sense for the future; technology being used as a tool for learning. While the external resources we have access to has changed with time the 'soft skills' and 'values' perhaps haven’t altered that much. It’s exciting times and with a sense of purpose and intention we can find a way to integrate the new technologies to support aspirations of an easier and more fulfilled life.

Anthony Ryan
Principal

Sport News

I would just like to congratulate the many students (more than 100) that have participated in our school-based trials to proceed to the Noosa District School Sport trials. We wish all of our selected students the best of luck at those trials and look forward to celebrating your success soon.

Trials still to come this term for either a school team or a Noosa District team include:

• Boys and Girls rugby league 10 -12 yrs
• Boys and Girls football (soccer) 10 -12 yrs
• Boys and Girls softball 10-12 yrs
• Boys and Girls tennis 10 – 12 yrs
• Rugby Union 10 -12 yrs
• Cross Country

Students please continue to listen to notices for practice and trial times.

Ben Moody
PE Teacher

News from 1B and 1G

Exciting Times at PCC: Year Ones Embark on a Journey Through Time!

The Year One students recently embarked on a thrilling adventure at PCC as they delved into their new 'Time Travelling' unit for the upcoming term. The administrative team participated in a captivating activity by placing various objects from their past into a time capsule, prompting the students to unravel the mysteries of history. With enthusiasm and curiosity, the Year 1 students eagerly speculated about the origins of each artifact, sparking their imaginations.

As part of this engaging unit, students will soon embark on crafting character descriptions of themselves to be sealed in their very own time capsules, which they will have the opportunity to design and construct. Excited about the journey ahead, we asked the students from classes 1B and 1G to inquire about their aspirations for the future. Here are their inspiring responses:

1B

What I want to be when I grow up

Indie- I want to be a dance teacher because they teach people to dance which makes people feel happy.

Louis- I want to be a scientist because they do lots of cool experiments.

Braxton- I want to be a soccer coach and teach people to score goals because that makes me really happy.

Parker- I want to be a builder because they make lots of money and houses for people to live in.

Violet- I want to be a zoo keeper because I like animals.

Evie- I want to be an artist because they get to draw all day and get better and better.

Reg- I want to be a farmer because you get to see chickens, milk cows and buy bulls.

Myaree- I want to be a teacher because I like standing up and talking to people about things.

Dean- I want to be a famous soccer play because they get paid to play soccer all day in front of nearly a thousand people.

Penny - I want to be a chef because my Mum works at a café and she has lots of great memories there.

Hugo- I want to be a scientist because they get to invent things.

Jack- I want to be a marine biologist because they take care of sea animals.

Luna- I want to be a hairdresser because I like getting hair cuts and making peoples hair look pretty.

Annabelle- I want to be a cheerleader because they get to exercise and do tricks all day long.

Frankie R- I want to be a vet because they help sick animals and I LOVE dogs.

Laeki- I want to be a soccer player because they score goals in front of big crowds.

Fynn- I want to be a soccer player because I like it and I’m really good.

Frankie K- I want to be a pilot because they get to fly people all around the world to amazing places.

Indigo - I want to be a scientist because they love experimenting and it’s fun!

Coco- I want to be a retail owner because I want to sell pretty clothes all day long.

Tyson- I want to be a famous YouTuber because it’s fun and you get to make lots of videos all about Minecraft.

Ada- I want to be a YouTuber because I like talking and they get to make fun videos for other people.

Luca- I want to be a policeman because they catch troublemakers and that makes Coolum a better place.

Ollie - I want to be a crystal finder because they get to discover rare things.

1G

What I want to be when I grow up

Luca- I want to be a professional soccer player because they win trophies. 

Charlie- I want to be a farmer because they can grow the food for the supermarkets.

Cleo- I want to be a doctor because they want to help people feel better.

Laikyn - I want to be a bee keeper because they save bees stuck in chimneys.

Xavier- I want to be a police officer because they hide and be a normal car and when they see someone coming, they zoom out.

Martin- I want to be a police officer because they have hand cuffs and a card saying what you can’t do.

Hendrix- I want to be a SWAT team member because they have armoured cars.

Ella- I want to be a hairdresser because you can brush and cut hair.

Anna- I want to be a teacher because they teach kids how to learn.

Hunter- I want to be a zoo keeper because they look after animals.

Scotti- I want to be a horse trainer because I want to teach kids how to ride horses.

Rafael - I want to be a zoo keeper because it is fun to look after animals and show people how to keep them safe.

Angus- I want to be a footy player because they get lots of money and it’s fun playing footy.

Kai M- I want to be a scientist because they study bugs.

Luna- I want to be an artist because I am already good at drawing pictures. 

Millie- I want to be a doctor that helps dogs (vet) because it is kind.

Charlotte- I want to be a CEO of a big company so I can get more money and build houses for people who don’t have a house.

Thea- I want to be a doctor because they help sick people.

Phoenix- I want to be a professional netball player because my mum plays netball and I want to be like mum.

Edessa- I want to be a vet because I like animals and want to help them feel better.

Indi- I want to be a teacher because I like to help kids learn and go on excursions. 

Kai W- I want to be a palaeontologist when I grow up because I like to find cool things.  

Alys Bourne and Susan Gers
Teachers of 1B and 1G

Environmental News

Hello Coolum School Community

Wwe would like to introduce ourselves. I am Asher from 6D and have been chosen as one of your Environmental Team leaders for 2024. I believe we were selected for the role because of our desire to make the world a better place.  I joined Coolum last year. I helped set up a litter collection group at my last school and I hope I can make a difference here too.  I am the co-leader with Neve from 6Q. Neve is passionate about helping our school to thrive and grow. She believes that to do this we need your help making the school clean and green. The world is our future and adults are not doing enough to look after our planet so we need to make the change.

Throughout the year the Environmental Team will be working with students in school to help them develop sustainable practises and a positive environmental mind. Next week we will make a start by supporting every class to get involved with School's Clean Up for Australia. On Friday, each class will be given an area of our school to clean up. The challenge is on to see which class can track down the most rubbish that has been dropped, washed or blown into our school grounds. Resetting the school grounds back to zero waste will help out daily litter collectors keep our school the wonderful place we love, more about them next time.

If you would like to help do more, why don't you join or create an Australia Day Clean Up event in your community on Sunday 3 March.

Asher from 6D
Environmental Leader

Japanese Word of the Week

naruhodo (なるほど) = oh, I see! (casual)

Naruhodo means “ I understand / I see / oh yeah”. It is a conversation interjection that shows you understand the person’s statement.  Useful to keep a conversation going.

Brad Yaxley
Japanese Teacher

School Crossing Scheme

Huge thanks to all of our families using the fabulous School Crossing Supervisor Service. 

The School Crossing Supervisor Scheme is a state-wide program introduced to reduce the risk of death and injuries to children attending schools.

A school crossing supervisor’s role is to assist children in safely crossing roads on their way to and from school.

School crossing supervisors operate on School Road and Yandina Coolum Road each school day from 7.45am – 8.45am and 2.30pm – 3.00pm.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) increase in Sunshine Coast Region

Please find attached important information from the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit and North Coast Region, to raise awareness for parents and carers of the growing cases of pertussis (‘whooping cough’) across the region.

Student of the Week

Yandina-Coolum Road, South Coolum Road and School Road, upgrade roundabout

To keep you informed of the proposed works to the areas surrounding the school, please see the attached information below from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) . Please direct any feedback you may have to TMR using the contact details in the flyer. 

RideScore Active Schools

Register Now

Do you live close to school?

1. Does your child have a bike or scooter?
2. Would you like your child to get an active, healthy and fun start to the day?
3. Would you like a system that tells you automatically when they have arrived or left school?

If you answered YES to these questions, then RideScore is for you!

We are one of 11 Sunshine Coast schools that are enjoying RideScore Active Schools Program funded by councils Transport Levy.

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 will be open to students who are able to ride a bicycle or scooter to school.

Participating students receive a personal sensor (beacon) to attach to their bicycle or scooter. The school bicycle storage facility has a Bluetooth reader that detects the signal from the beacon and sends a notification to the nominated contact to inform them that the student has arrived at/or departed the school. 

Each trip is recorded by the RideScore app, providing incentives when the students reach their milestones. Earn great prizes:

• 20 Trips – Mystery prize
• 70 Trips – Movie ticket
• 120 Trips – Bli Bli Aqua Park voucher

Activities will be planned throughout the school year to promote and encourage riding and scooting, including fun events and bicycle skills classes for all year 4 students.

This program was developed in 2022 with a Federal grant funding from the Move it AUS program, with the support of Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Stockland.

How do I register?

Step 1 - Download the app (search ‘RideScore’), complete your registration details

Step 2 – Receive your sign on bag (posted within 1 week) that will include:

• Your child’s beacon & instructions on how to pair and fit
• A scorecard (your app will also keep a live score)

Step 3 – Start riding and scooting!

Visit the RideScore website for more information, great resources and safety tips.

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.

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 . 

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. 

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