Principal's news
Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues
It has been a busy week behind the scenes at school this week - mainly around the restructure and preparations for the school review next week. We also planned our annual leadership assemblies to announce student leaders today but the rain this morning saw us postponing until Monday morning. Families are welcome to attend but please make sure you follow the attendance tracking and social distancing at the hall.
We are holding a very important parent session this week regarding how parents can limit and control their child's on-line access at home. I often receive reports from parents that children are messaging their friends very late at night. When I discuss this with families, they often report that they do not know how to better manage this, as other family members need the internet, as does their television. This parent session just might be the answer for families and best of all, there is no costs associated with it.
Gain greater control your child's ipad at home
Parent session
Date: Tuesday 23 February
Time: 1:30 - 2:30pm
How to use Screen Time
Following on from Safer Internet Day, we have invited Linda Pitt from Apple Education Australia, to teach families how to use Screen Time. Screen Time can help parents keep children safe and well online. Screen Time is a feature that is already on the device and can be found in Settings on an iPad and iPhone.
Those who attend the session will learn how to turn on Screen Time, view your report and set limits for how much time your child spends on their device, apps, websites and more.
Please complete the following registration form if you would like to attend. There is no cost to families for the session.
Restructure success
Well done to all of the families, teachers and students who helped plan and implement the restructure for our 2021 school year. Our strategy ended with the moves happening Friday afternoon - ready for Monday. This was a big deal and it was smooth and successful. It is a load off my mind indeed, knowing that the students are in a good head space for Monday morning.
Kindness in our community
As families are aware, our school is focused on developing the character of our children. Kindness is part of this. We have maintained a focus across the past few weeks and this week I asked classes to research their favourite kindness quote. They found and generated some wonderful messages and these will be placed around the school in prominent areas.
School review and some possible cold calls
Regular readers of the newsletter will know that our school is being reviewed by a team from the Department next week. This is an exciting opportunity that only occurs each four years - under normal circumstances. The review will celebrate our strengths and identify some areas on which we can focus across the next four years as we continue to improve.
Thank you to the families who offered their time to speak with the review team. Your feedback will be very valuable. I have kept a few appointment slots free so the review team can cold call some families too. You just might be one of these people. It might be a phone call or perhaps they might meet you at the school at drop off or collection time.
Swimming successes this week
Congratulations to the Coomera Rivers students who competed at the district swimming carnival this week. I believe that the weather conditions made things a little challenging but as always, our children were amazing ambassadors for our school community. Check the sports report for photos.
Parent teacher interviews are coming
Parent-teacher interviews are just over 2 weeks away. Now that the restructure is complete, we can move ahead with bookings.
I will email home all of the booking details on Tuesday evening at about 6:00pm. The only way to make an appointment is via the link I will provide next week. Appointment spots are allocated on a first in basis so get in early.
Info at a glance:
- Dates: Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 March (After school)
- Venue: School hall
- Interview duration: 10 minutes each
- Is there a COVID plan in place? Yes
- Bookings GO LIVE to families: Tuesday 23 February at about 6:00pm
- Bookings close to families: Thursday 4 March at about 9:00pm
Chicken Pox
We have received word that chicken pox is in the community and while no students from the school have been affected, family members have. If your children are unwell, please do not send them to school, and do seek medical advice from your family doctor.
Click here for more information from Queensland Health.
Vortexing - Looks fun but can be very dangerous
Some of our older students have learned about an activity called vortexing. The idea has apparently been picked up by watching alcoholic drinking activities on Tik Tok and was beginning to spread quickly amongst students.
Students are creating a water vortex in their water bottle then sculling the contents. One would think that drinking water would be beneficial however, serious complications can arise when students do this so quickly and with rapid repetition. I am told that some children have been known to vortex 4-6 bottles consecutively. This practice then makes children need to go to the toilet a lot. But the hidden problem is far more serious. The excessive and rapid drinking of water can result in serious health problems as the kidneys and blood cannot cope with the volume. Consequently, two students have needed hospital assistance this week due to vortexing.
My Deputy Principals and class teachers in middle and senior school have instructed students to stop this activity. If you know your children are doing this, please also insist that they stop.
Do we have your current contact details?
If any of your family details have changed, please contact our Enrolment Officer, Kylie Finch, to update this information. Information like addresses, contact numbers and contact emails addresses need to kept up-to-date. Click HERE to email Mrs Finch.
IMPORTANT
Student Resource Scheme deadline approaching
If you have registered for the 2021 Student Resource Scheme (SRS), the deadline to pay (or have an approved payment plan in place) is Friday 26 February.
Families that have an outstanding 2021 Student Resource Scheme account with the school after this deadline date will not be able to access extra-circular opportunities (such as excursions or camps) until the account has been finalised or an approved plan is being maintained.
Please ensure that any debt with the school is honoured. If your circumstances change or you have any questions in relation to the 2021 Student Resource Scheme, please email Mrs Day for assistance.
COVID still matters
Please maintain your vigilance and avoid becoming complacent with our social and hygiene behaviours. We must sustain our efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy. Follow the new normal tips below.
Kind regards
Vic