Term 2 Week 10
Principal's Report
Thank you all for your support during my time here at Coolum SS. I feel both privileged and humbled to be able to say I was the Principal of Coolum State School, the best school in the world. Over the last few days many people have asked me about what I am proud of during my time here. I have been reminded of some of the achievements during this time, and I must admit I was surprised at what we achieved in four years despite the covid pandemic and all that brought, and flooding that would make Noah’s 40 days seems like a sun shower.
I am immeasurably thankful for everyone’s encouragement in seeing some of my crazy ideas come to fruition; a new curriculum that is locally and contextually relevant to our students, enterprise grants, a master plan to flood proof our school, bike trails, Coffee Shop and Paint the Town Read event to name a few. But no idea is ever just one persons, it’s the collective wisdom of those we work with and alongside that make it happen and together it is always better than I could ever imagine.
But for me it is not the visible things we did during my time, but the moments these things brought to us. These will be my enduring memories. I’m certainly not going to name anybody as I’m sure I’d leave names out but it is the collective 150+ staff, the P&C and their staff, the parents and community and mostly the 1010 students that walk through our gate every morning that create the moments that I will cherish. It’s moments like:
- hearing our bands, choirs and orchestras play throughout the school, the smiles on our students faces as they perform, while seeing our community tap their feet along. From the first squeaky note to the polished performance.
- It’s the smile on our P&C staff when they realise their impact on staff and students. Like the relief on our faces when we press the on button on the air-conditioners or the smile on a students face as they buy a gift for Mum or Dad at one of the stalls or their full tummy from the Tuckshop delights.
- Hearing the passion in the voices of our expert teaching staff as they plan learning opportunities that engage every child in their learning.
- Walking into a classroom and students being so engaged in their learning they don’t realise you’re there.
- The safety you feel that allows everyone to ask questions, discuss and debate that affords everyone to express their ideas to ensure we have the right answer to a problem.
- Seeing the wide smile on children’s faces when they got to ride the ferris wheel at the Paint the Town Read event and the smile on the business owners faces as they read to the children.
- Seeing welcoming faces at Piccolo cafe and sharing a coffee with parents as they tell me how much they appreciate what our school staff have done for their child.
- It’s parents expressing their appreciation for the support they have had through a simple smile, handshake or a thank you.
- Seeing every parent having a carpark for pick up. Hang on, that’s still just a dream, not a moment!
- The passion and pride that is on display as our school song is sung at parade. The fact that I didn’t get stuck in the slide when filming the video.
- It’s the smile on the faces of our students as they stand proudly on stage after receiving an award or finishing their class performance.
- Hearing for the first time the lyrics to the end of year staff song. Gee, we have clever people on our staff. It’s the encouragement we get when we actually perform end of year parades certainly are EPIC!
- The vast array of additional activities that are available to student, dance clubs, games room, intra and interschool sporting activities, rock bands, environmental cubs, chess, choirs, garden clubs, bike riding, surfing, Coolum’s got talent, musical and so on.
- But my most treasured moment is when students look at me and simply say I love my school.
Students, continue to strive to be kind. To teachers, to parents, to everyone, and most importantly to yourselves, be happy! Don’t be afraid of what you can’t do, celebrate what you can do!
Laugh often and surround yourself with people who lift your spirits and make you feel good about who you are. While you can never have too many friends, please make sure you have the right ones walking alongside you during your challenging days. Don’t forget that people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
To our whole school community, I can only hope that I have added half the value to you as you did to me personally and professionally.
As Coolum State School moves to the next chapter under the guidance of Mrs Shannyn Taylor, please keep in your mind, how do we continue to improve? Let’s do it together, keep the children in your hearts because they are our now and our future.
Anthony Ryan
Principal
Dig Into Reading
This Dig Into Reading article focuses on the role of decodable texts.
Click on this link to see how you can help your child to read a decodable text.
Decodable Texts: How can I help?
- As your child reads, you may notice there are words they can read automatically, while other words will need to be ‘sounded out’. When your child comes to a word they do not automatically know, you can help them by saying: ‘Say the sounds as you point to the letters. Now, blend the sounds and read the word.’ For example: for the word ‘hen’, point to the letters and provide the sounds, /h/ /e/ /n/, then blend the sounds to read ‘hen’.
- If your child still has difficulty reading the word, it’s okay to tell them what the word is. Remember, they are still learning about letters and sounds and may need more practise and support.
- When your child is learning new letter-sound correspondences, they may read slowly, and it may look laborious. This is typical of beginning readers and is no cause for concern.
- Remember, practise is key to becoming a skilled reader. Encourage your child to read their decodable texts often and to other family members.
Athletics Carnival
Over the last few weeks, the school has been buzzing with students preparing for the annual sports carnival. From PE lessons to house trials, pre carnival event and carnival days that include track and field events, ball games, novelty events and dance parties there is something for everyone.
It has been a delight to see the tremendous amount of fun and excitement all the students have experienced. The sportsmanship and camaraderie from all students are a testament to the spirit of our school and its community.
Our senior carnival doubles as a selection trial for students (10 – 12 yrs) to be selected to represent Coolum State school at the district trials. We wish all those selected the very best competing against other schools within the district.
Special mention to our Age Champions:
Girls | Boys | |
Yr 3 | April | Jarrah |
9 yrs | Georgia | Finley |
10 yrs | Ayva | Sam |
11 yrs | Milly | Mason |
12 yrs | Aaylah | Braxton |
The winners of the junior carnival were Ninderry.
The winners of the senior carnival were Ninderry.
Therefore the overall winner in 2024 was NINDERRY.
Junior Athletics Carnival
Senior Athletics Carnival
Parliament House Visit
Last week, 16 Student Councillors and 5 school leaders had the honour of visiting Parliament House in Brisbane, escorted by teachers Judith Moore and Myschel Albrecht. Everyone had a marvellous day, arriving in the city in time for a quick bite before walking in to Parliament House.
Our tour started with an informative session from our Tour Leader about Parliament itself where the students were able to ask and answer many questions. After morning tea in the court yard, we began our tour of Parliament House which included a re-enactment of what goes on in Parliament itself. The students did a great job despite having to speak over a real-life protest just outside Parliament House.
We then went into the galley where we were able to watch Parliament in action and being Budget Day, there was a bit of action for the students to see. We were greeted very warmly by our local member Dan Purdie waving to us madly from the chamber. Dan came out later and had a great chat with our enthusiastic students. The Qld Premier, Steven Miles, walked in at that time and then greeted the children. He even shook some of their hands, which made them feel very important.
Next was a quick trip a few buildings down to have self-guided tour of the Old Parliament House and lunch. We were lucky to have a presentation from the very informative volunteer from the Information Bureau before we took a lovely walk through the Botanic Gardens. A great day was had by all. Watch this space for some of our Coolum SS students becoming future local councillors representing our community.
Japanese Word of the Week
Kyou (今日) – Today
Words like today and tomorrow can be particularly useful when buying train tickets, for example.
Ashita (明日) – Tomorrow
When pronouncing the word for tomorrow, ashita, the i is virtually silent, so it ends up sounding more like ashta. If you need to express the day after tomorrow, the word is asatte.
Brad Yaxley
Japanese Teacher
Go Blue Day
On Friday 12 July (Term 3, Week 1, Friday) the Student Council are running a "Go Blue" Day to raise money and awareness for Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes affects over 13000 children in Australia and currently, one in our school.
Children are invited to wear blue (free dress) and bring a gold coin donation on the first Friday of Term 3, Friday 12 July.
Further information is available here: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/queensland/
Thank you
Student Council
Coolum’s Containers for Change Collection
It's back! Our P&C will be collecting your 10c donations on the first Monday in the P&C carpark - Monday 8 July.
Please drop off any containers between 7.45 and 8.45 am.
Alternatively, you can take them direct to a Containers for Change depot. Please use our code when dropping off cans and bottles.
C10190364 Coolum State School P&C Ass
We believe every bottle kept out of landfill is a great result for the future of our students.
Thank you for supporting us.
RideScore Active Schools
Do you live close to school?
- Does your child have a bike or scooter?
- Would you like your child to get an active, healthy and fun start to the day?
- 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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